The London Olympics opened one year ago this weekend and produced one of the most memorable of the modern era. Ireland did well, largely through the exploits of it’s boxers and the Paralympians that took to the same stage six weeks later but 12 years on there are serious concerns in the host country that legacy opportunities have been missed.
Sir Keith Mills, one of the driving forces behind bringing the games to London has formally killed off his idea to establish a sports marketing bureau formed by bringing sports together to work with business on creating ways in which the two could work together.
Perhaps he might readjust if he were to be aware of what Sport for Business has achieved in Ireland in only 18 months.
The key to the early foundations of our community has lain in not only bringing sport to the table but in bringing business too.
A problem cited by Mills is that sports were unwilling to work closely enough alongside each other with common purpose.
That has not been the case with Sport for Business. The GAA, FAI, Horse Racing Ireland, Basketball Ireland, Triathlon Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, The Irish Greyhound Board, the Camogie Association, Swim Ireland, Cricket Ireland, Badminton Ireland, Ladies Gaelic Football, Cycling Ireland, Special Olympics, Canoeing Ireland, the Golfing Union of Ireland and many more have become actively involved in what we do on behalf of sport.
Ulster Bank, Bank of Ireland, Microsoft, Aer Lingus, UCD Smurfit Business School, Accenture, PwC, KPMG, Sigmar Recruitment, eFlow, Liberty Insurance, Paddy Power, Diageo, Wilson Hartnell, Pembroke Communications, Murray Consultants, Mason, Hayes and Curran, Beauchamps Solicitors and many more from the world of business have also seen the value of aligning with sport to explore better ways of integrating the many magical attributes it brings in a way that will deliver return on investment.
There is no question that sport and business can be great for each other. The challenge lies in discovering the best ways of so doing. That is what we as a community are all about.
We look at the business of sport, the sport that is sometimes business and the common ground that lies between the two.
We find value that can be gained by both. Our programme of round table events have sparked imagination and delivered results that may take time to become as powerful as they can be but have at least begun the journey. We are developing ideas with the Irish Government and the Irish Sports Council in areas of culture, alcohol, health, commerce and technology.
In all honesty, we have barely scratched the surface of what is possible. Not all sports have engaged, rugby being the only one of the major sports which has for its own reasons not come on board with us as yet. We have yet to spread the word to many of the business sectors that either already operate within sport or would benefit from doing so. But we are getting there.
The Sport for Business Daily Digest is delivered each Monday to Friday to well over 1,000 leaders in business and sport. We paint what we are told is a valuable picture of the commercial world of Irish sport. We deliver insight and innovation that helps people think differently and perhaps do their job with a little more knowledge and a lot more enthusiasm.
We have a multiple of many times that number who visit our site from other avenues in social media and who gain some value, either through knowledge or in commercial terms from what we do. Our numbers are growing 20% month on month.
If you are reading this as a member, thank you for your belief. If you have yet to come on board contact us today and let us see what we can do together.
Our events coming up in the autumn will present more opportunities for you to get involved and get active in what we do, and to make a difference to sport and business in Ireland. We look forward to continuing to do what we can to bring our two worlds closer together.
Next week we will begin a series looking at the legacy issues arising out of London 2012 – 12 months on and seeing what lessons might be learnt for Ireland.
In the meantime, if you need reminding of what sport can do take a look at today’s Daily Video and imagine what is possible with will and determination to succeed.
Sports Tourism Seminar at Croke Park (September 19th)
Sport for Business 20/20 at Ulster Bank HQ (October 8th)
The Business of Youth Sport Seminar (November 28th)
