Member Article

Going for contract gold

By Colin Grimston of Business Link

Companies across the region have a fighting chance to win business opportunities linked to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Olympic Delivery Authority and the London Organising Committee expect to allocate more than £6bn worth of work between now and the opening ceremony in London.

North East businesses can ensure that they are in the starting line-up when the race for contracts begins by taking advantage of the e-brokerage system Competefor.com

Part of the London 2012 Business Network, Competefor.com is an online ‘business dating service’ which allows companies who register at www.competefor.com to liaise with Business Link and view available contracts, posting a short profile demonstrating how they could fulfil the needs of the work.

Co-funded by One NorthEast, Competefor.com has already been used to award 500 contracts nationwide. It is the perfect opportunity for businesses in the North East to get involved in one of the biggest sporting occasions ever hosted in Britain.

Companies across the region will need to be prepared if they are to take advantage of some of the 75,000 contracts expected to be on offer. Success will hinge on an awareness of the benefits of partnership working and supply chain alliances. It will also demand an up-to-date knowledge of issues including sustainability, diversity and the environment and a sufficiently skilled workforce.

Business Link is on hand to provide personal coaching to help companies get fit for procurement and is running a series of workshops to ensure businesses are best placed to win contracts. Businesses interested in tender opportunities, key appointments and business events can sign up to receive email alerts from London 2012 - just visit www.london2012.com and click on ‘Sign up to receive business e-alerts’.

Business Link’s substantial team of expert brokers operate across the region in local access points and on a mobile basis. For further information about Business Link and how it can help benefit from London 2012 opportunities, visit www.businesslinknortheast.co.uk or call 0845 600 9 006.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .