What Time Is It?

When my kids were much younger we had a standard gag. I would ask them what time is it when an elephant sits on your fence?

The answer was clearly time to get a new fence.

Timing is indeed everything.

A similar question could be asked right now with the World’s biggest sporting event still receiving plaudits from around the Globe (except of course the French), as perhaps the best ever Olympic games.

One of the key reasons that London won the games back in Singapore, beating Paris, (wonder if that played a part in the above) was because of the legacy that London promised would be left beyond the games.

Prime Minister David Cameron has already responded to Britain’s success by stating that there will be no cuts to funding for Olympic sports before the 2016 Games in Rio. UK Sport will receive £125million annually for the next four years to maintain funding at same level as the run-up to London.

With participation levels in a range of sports expected to spike in the coming months, pressure is apparent to ensure the next generation of stars are given every opportunity to reach their potential.

For the negotiator picking the right time to maximise the power that they have is crucial. When the stars align in your favour you should seize the initiative and attempt to manage the process by making credible, realistic proposals that are possibly even time sensitive.

In the Times this week it was reported that Boxing Clubs across Britain are facing serious financial challenges that will hamper their ability to recreate the winning performance of London in Rio. Many clubs scored the availability of funding as a 4 out of 10.

If I were advising the clubs right now I would suggest that any sitting on the fence stops right now and the bell should ring on the way they can help bring Gold back to Britain in four years.

Alan Smith