W ith just four months to go to London 2012 it might be assumed it is too late to harness the power of the Olympics for local businesses. Participation has been a huge theme throughout the bidding process for London 2012 and remains so.

It is the London 2012 Organising Committee’s intent to build an event which drives a participation and health legacy from the Games.

Businesses should be considering not only how can they get involved with the games now, but look beyond the event to harness positive impacts for their company.

Despite the majority of the Olympic events being held in London, there are some key historic and current connections between the games and Oxfordshire and our surrounding region.

Henley was a host venue for London 1948, for example. Henley’s fame for rowing and all sporting competitions is very much alive today.

Various initiatives are under way in the Oxfordshire area from the already created London 2012 sponsor built activity parks in Marston, to the Tree of Light cultural exhibition taking place during the London 2012 Festival and plans announced for a competition standard swimming pool in Blackbird Leys.

With that in mind, there are several ways that Oxfordshire businesses can participate in the Olympics and generate some new opportunities.

For example: • Do not think it is all within London — 75 per cent of contracts have gone to businesses outside the M25. Even if your business is not competing to win contracts for the games, those businesses who have won contracts may very well need help too.

Contracts are advertised on websites including: www.london2012.com/business-network, www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk, www.businessportal.southeastiep.gov.uk and www.competefor.com • Be creative: Did you know, for example, that lots of high net worth individuals will fly into Oxford airport because of no fly zones in London? How could your business make the most of that?

• Think about the Torch Relay coming to Oxford on July 7 – it’ll be one huge party, how could your business make the most of that? See www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay for details. Also in Oxfordshire the Tree of Life cultural event will be on July 9 in Stonor Park near Henley. The games are also due to be shown on big screens in public spaces across the county.

Go to www.oxfordshiregameon.co.uk for a calendar of local events.

• All the research shows there’s a halo effect for the host region after an Olympic Games is held. An increase in UK tourism could be harnessed by many businesses. Think about how your company could tap into some of the heightened interest in tourism in your area.

At a recent business event at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, double Olympic Marathon runner and Commonwealth Games medallist Liz Yelling explained how “everyone can have an Olympic mindset.”

Oxford recruiment agency Allen Associates has used the Olympics to as a way of motivating clients and staff.

It has introduced a scheme in which staff can take paid time away from the office to volunteer in the Oxfordshire community.

With help from Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) staff have given their time to charities such as Age UK and Against Breast Cancer.

The business will also be tackling the subject of possible human resources (HR) and employment issues from the Olympics at their next HRHub meeting, for example with staff wanting to take holidays around the Games.

The HRHub is held for clients to meet regularly to discuss HR subjects and help prepare for the impact of events such as the Olympics.

Allen Associates managing director Kate Allen said: “Oxfordshire businesses ought to be looking at what the Olympics may bring as soon as possible if only to ensure that they are not missing out on opportunities.” ib