We'll Call You: London 2012

London 2012 'Good afternoon, London 2012, how can I help you?'

Mktg 'Hi. I live in London and I've just seen a lot of publicity at the moment about the Olympics. I'm quite inspired and wondering how I could volunteer, or get involved?'

London 2012 'Right, have you access to the website?'

Mktg 'I don't at the moment, I've got a problem with my connection.'

London 2012 'Right. If you do get access to the website, you could go into the getinvolved site.'

Mktg 'There's a website for it?'

London 2012 'There is a website, yes.' [Gives details.]

Mktg 'Is there anyone there who deals with it specifically, though?'

London 2012 'There won't be anyone that I'll be able to put you through to. All the information regarding the volunteer program, you can find on the website.'

Mktg 'Do you know roughly what kind of people they are looking for?'

London 2012 'It's all sort of marshals...'

Mktg 'So it's quite general? You don't have to be...'

London 2012 'You don't have to have any specific qualifications or experience. I think we need about 70,000 volunteers. It's a vast amount we're needing, so we're grateful for anybody that's wants to volunteer their services.'

Mktg 'OK, is there any way you could pick a certain area or event to help out on?'

London 2012 'Possibly. I'm sure they would try and place you at the most convenient location to you.'

Mktg 'Hopefully the 100m.'

London 2012 [Laughs.] 'I'm just looking for some information here. OK, so up to 70,000 volunteers will be needed. We'll obviously provide the training for you. Applications will be open in 2010. So you can submit your information and we'll recruit volunteers from across the UK from a range of communities and backgrounds, etc. If you can get to the website you'll see the details there.'

Mktg 'But there's no packs at the moment, then?'

London 2012 'Not at the moment, no. At this stage, it would all be through the website on the information you require.'

Mktg 'Thanks.'

London 2012 'You're welcome. Bye.'

Verdict

Although the call-handler was very friendly and tried to answer my questions, she was unable to give specific information. However, she could have taken my details so I could be alerted when applications open. This far in advance, being diverted to the website was understandable, if likely to discourage potential volunteers.

Score

7/10

This article was first published on Marketing