With just 100 days to go until the 2012 Olympic Games, are UK businesses ready for the effect the games will have? Staff clearly are not in the know with almost 9 out of 10 UK workers feeling in the dark about their company’s Olympic working policies. It seems business owners, on the other hand, are more prepared with 8 out of 10 believing they have prepared themselves for any potential working disruption and, in contrast to the feelings of employees, just over half say they have shared these plans with their staff.
There is no way of knowing the impact the Olympics will have - both in terms of lower workforces and supply disruptions - but it's clear that businesses beyond London will feel the effects too. The advice is that if you don't yet have a plan in place, even if you don't feel you need one, it's a good idea to think about the possible consequences for your business and set up an action plan and preventative measures.
Not only is a business plan an essential part of setting up a business, it's actually one of the first things you should do and, very importantly, has to be done right if it's to be of any use. This is why it's often best left to the professionals to ensure your business plan will work hard for you, for example, getting the funding you need to launch your business. Don't think that you won't need a business plan just because you're not seeking a loan as your plan will also help you think through all areas of your business. Think of it as a