smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Small companies in London are being offered free language and cultural skills training to help them capitalise on opportunities created by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

According to the London Development Agency (LDA), the scheme will be of particular benefit to businesses which provide frontline services, such as those in the tourism, transport, retail, hospitality and leisure industries.

Boris Johnson, mayor of London, comments: 'The training opportunities we are extending will be invaluable to all those businesses who are serious about taking on the overseas competition.'

The Regional Language Network London initiative will offer companies two courses, one which focuses on key phrases and cultural issues that workers need to be aware of and another which supports managers leading multicultural teams.

Geoff Newton, director of Olympic opportunities at the LDA, explains that the scheme is designed to ensure London firms have more chance of benefiting from the 2012 Games and encourage international visitors to return to the capital.

Earlier this year, the LDA highlighted the specialist training support which is being offered in the capital to help construction companies make the most of opportunities arising ahead of the 2012 Games.

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