Research shows businesses are under prepared for the 2012 Olympics

A survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Interactive Intelligence shows that only 23% of senior managers and above – from large businesses based in London and the South – feel their company is fully prepared for the potential disruption caused by the 2012 Olympic Games.

The survey of 120 senior managers and above discovered that a vast majority (79%) estimate that a proportion of their staff expected to commute and travel during the Olympics will be affected by the disruption.

The survey shows that a number of businesses have already responded to this issue; 57% have already implemented, or plan to implement, remote working capabilities, helping to ensure employees are empowered to work from any location during the Olympics to help increase productivity.

However, a worrying 42% are either still planning (14%), or do not plan to implement (28%), a remote working strategy. Some of the reasons cited include concerns around not having the right technology in place, security and cost of deployment.

Of those companies that already have, or plan to have, remote working set up during the Olympics, a number of steps were identified to ensure business continuity while employees work remotely.

Nearly half (49%) said they will ensure employees have access to suitable equipment, such as a smartphone or laptop. Increasing network security (24%) and company Internet bandwidth (21%) are key priorities for businesses, followed closely by improving the company’s network infrastructure (19%) and implementing a full Unified Communications strategy (17%).

Dave Paulding, Regional Sales Director UK, Middle East & Africa, Interactive Intelligence says: “The Olympic Games is going to be a catalyst for many companies turning to remote working in London and the South. However, it will be those that make preparations sooner rather than later who will achieve the most benefit.”