Having worked in several different sectors of PR I think I'm justified in saying I've paid my dues. From dancing with a rapping cow all day in a field, to nights in the office late enough to justify ordering breakfast… I've been there; written the pitch. But working on more taxing campaigns just makes it all the sweeter when such great projects comes along. Cue Cisco's BIG Awards.

When we began work on the British Innovation Gateway (BIG) campaign - Cisco's legacy piece as the Official Network Infrastructure Supporter of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - we were clear on one point: we wanted to use Cisco's position as an industry leader to inspire, discover and nurture tech talent in the UK.

We live in a time of extraordinary technological advancement and outstanding innovation. But there have been grumbles about how few of the big ticket ideas come from the UK compared to our American pals across the pond. We're a clever bunch, and Britain's technology legacy is rich - the phone, the television, the WORLD WIDE WEB - but there seems to be a limit sometimes to the level we push ourselves to achieve. Tweetdeck, yes; Twitter, no. So what do we do to bridge this gap?

We set out to find the unsung heroes of the UK tech scene by launching a five year awards programme which tied into the wider BIG campaign. The Cisco team was clear on one point when we began planning the Cisco BIG Awards: a cash prize alone was not enough. Feedback from SMEs over the years indicated that money is all well and good, but without expert advice, mentoring and resources it will only carry you so far. So Cisco lined up some tremendous partners to help make the Cisco BIG Awards as beneficial to the winner as possible - Bird & Bird, DNX and even us here at Octopus will join Cisco to deliver legal, PR, digital and industry mentoring, in addition to the cash prize.

The level of entry - as clichéd as it may sound - was exceptional. This was compounded by Dragons' Den style presentations by the six finalists last night at Cisco House. There were some real 'oh I wish I'd thought of that' moments and the judging panel - which included our very own Octopus MD, Jon Lonsdale - had a hard task it must be said, but in the end three really stood out.

The winner in particular is AMAZING. Snap Fashion allows users to search for clothing items via a visual search engine - simply take a photograph of something you've seen or an item you own and the app will scan more than 110 UK fashion retailers to find a match. Impressive stuff.  Runners up included Digital Shadows, a clever cyber protection tool, and Six3, a very slick video messaging service.

It's been a pleasure to work on this campaign and to meet all the entrants - and we're excited to start working with Snap Fashion very soon! With more projects like this, with more corporate buy in and support, I'm sure the UK will be back on top of the tech map in no time.

By @KeBeveridge

In this momentous Olympic year, nothing on the calendar holds quite as much excitement as the opening ceremony of London 2012. The past seven years have been defined by gruelling preparations: athletes being trained up to gold-medal standard, monumental buildings being built where bogs used to sit and lives being changed all over the country, as we all try to make our mark and "inspire a generation". Now, with the opening ceremony of the London Olympics only hours away, us Octopedes can hold our giddy heads high and swell with pride as passers-by marvel at our Olympi-fied office.

From floor to ceiling the space has been transformed from office to the international and multicultural epicentre of East Berkshire. Flags from every corner of the world wave in the breeze of desktop fans and mascots sit atop walls like ambassadors leading us all to a brighter future. I am not going to sit here and say it happened overnight - even though it did - because that would not do justice to the vast amounts of blood, sweat, and in some special cases, tears, that made it all possible. Like the athletes going head to head on the track, the different teams in the office had one thing on the mind - glory.

Some outstanding performances came from across the board. Team Sladey got a huge reception for their giant Olympic torch mosaic on the wall, a symbol of our blazing spirits. Operations brought a slice of South Asia to Windsor with an Indian-themed boudoir. A truly stunning scale model of Wimbledon's Centre Court was showcased by Professional Services, complete with models of Greg "Murray" Smith and Rebecca "Williams" Taylor battling it out across the court. The absolute pinnacle of office-based decor was achieved when the five giant Olympic rings were placed atop of the room, crowning the office in glory, surpassing London's Tower Bridge in every way.

A plethora of decorations showed an unrivalled commitment to the multinationalism felt by all, and the task of personal decoration was met with equal passion.

The Aussies donned cork hats, the Indians were adorned with saris and bindis, and the Mexicans grew impressive moustaches and stayed out of the sun with sombreros. Never was there a finer display of team camaraderie and national pride, mixed with a healthy dose of insatiable competitiveness to achieve. After all was said and done, our office athletes needed refreshment, and it was only fitting that the tables were filled with food and drinks from all over the world. Now, we are off to watch Danny Boyle's masterpiece with a beer in hand. All that is left to say is "Come on Team GB!"

Joe @Joemjohnston

So the Olympics are just 2 sleeps away (discounting the start of the football!). The excitement is brewing, the anticipation is unbearable and the Olympic Highways have come into action!

Athletes from all over the world are fine tuning their game plans and putting in the last of many gruelling hours of training, all striving to reach the pinnacle of their chosen event. I, on the other hand, have reached the summit of my mountain. I need not fear the pressure of the home crowd. I need not worry if the Opening Ceremony interferes with my first day of competition. I need not stress over whether my family have all got tickets to see me shine on the world stage, for I am the proud winner of the Octopus 'Cracker Off'!

Destiny was achieved in the cauldron of the downstairs kitchen.  Although at first reluctant to (in the words of athlete/food connoisseur/idol Anton Du Beke) "step up to the plate", I was consciously taking the psychological upper hand over my fellow 'crackerteers' (for that is how we refer to ourselves within the sport) causing them to no doubt swallow their all important gathered saliva as I stepped forward into the competition line.

Unbeknownst to me, months of hard work led me to the greatest of cracker eating achievements. From the humble crisp bread accompanying many a bowl of soup during the toils of a long, dark winter, to the lightening of the diet with the switch to rice cakes come the spring, I had been readying myself for my day of destiny well in advance. My fellow 'crackerteers' were unknowingly disadvantaged.

On Sammy's shrill shriek of "GO!" the tireless consumption of all things crackers in training meant nothing. Immediately I knew I was up against the best the Group had to offer, as Kelly 'Rambo' Ramsay & Rachel 'DTAWASC' (don't trust anyone with a speck case) Goodwin chomped their way through the first of the crackers super quick. I was in a fight for first place. On and on, and on, and on, and on we masticated, each mustering all the jaw action we could.

Then from nowhere, with only seconds remaining in such a tight fought contest, Joe 'Kilimanjaro' Johnson (a colossus in the crackering world) raided the plate for a third time. I couldn't let all the months of dedication surfing the biscuits & snacks aisle for delicate savoury delights go to waste, I had to go with him and go with him I did. "STOP!" cried Sammy. "We have a tie."

Had I blown my chance? This was an unforeseen ending to the event not planned for by my well established coaching team of Jacobs, McVitie & Carrs. I summoned my inspiration from a simple mantra 'WWWD?' (What would Wallace do?)

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! The Golden Cracker tie break began. Adopting a similar 'swallow the cracker whole technique' from Wallace in his crackering prime in 'A Grand Day Out', I began to realise my efforts were edging me closer to victory. Despite a slightly dubious first steward's enquiry, on the 2nd time of asking, my mouth was barren of cracker, of saliva, of life. I had done it! I had conquered all those put before me and achieved my goal. Número uno! Top Crackerteer!

So now all that I am waiting for are the countless offers of ludicrous sponsorship deals (for all enquiries please contact Graham) and television commercials to cement my rise to the top of the packet, just as those that taste gold in the next fortnight will no doubt receive. Though, please don't offer me cheese, as I only have eyes for crackers!

Jack @Jacklouis13

Anyone who knows me (or follows me on Twitter - @LauraSlade), knows that I love a big sporting occasion.  The Euros, Wimbledon…every Formula 1 weekend of the season.  So, imagine my excitement that, in just 11 days, the greatest show on earth comes to our fair isle, bringing with it the most talented and exceptional athletes to compete for the ultimate sporting prize.

Call me naïve, but I sort of expected everyone to be excited about it.  Admittedly, I've spent the last 18 months or so working with official Olympic partners, so perhaps I'm a bit closer to the Games than most, but surely everyone gets what an amazing spectacle it will be for Great Britain?  Well it seems not…the papers have been full of one negative story after another, whether it be about ticketing, security (or lack of it), the branding police, the great burger-debate or the crappy British weather.  Now, I get that it hasn't all been perfect - and clearly there's still some work to be done to ensure London is completely Games-ready - but do we really have to berate the Games organisers for every set back?  It's a pretty big event they are trying to put on, so let's cut them some slack eh?

Stephen Hull (@hullstephen) at the Huffington Post published his own take on it this morning ' Why have the media turned the Olympics into a bummer?', explaining why the media focuses on the negative of London 2012 rather than embrace the positive. "Everything going well is not a story," [he said] "It's just not."

And I get that, honestly I do.  After 14 years in this business, I get that shock headlines sell papers…but it saddens me that, in doing so, we are dragging down the hopes and excitement of the nation (well a significant percentage of them anyway).  Yes, the traffic will probably be a bit rubbish, and it will likely rain at some point…but it's the freaking OLYMPICS!  And they're coming to London!

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and I get that you can't all be as excited about the Games as I am, but I think I speak for everyone who is looking forward to it when I say enough of the hate.

I'm not suggesting we ignore the problems, but perhaps the newspapers could also include stories that inspire people to get involved in the Games, whether at work (see the recent Octopus blog about our #OfficeOlympics), with friends (who's hosting an Olympic BBQ?!) or in their local communities.  Positive stories sell papers too…just think back to the Royal Wedding.  There aren't many happier occasions than a wedding, and papers covering the news flew off the shelves.  So come on journalists of Great Britain…get behind the Games and inspire the rest of the nation to get involved!

Laura @LauraSlade

It was an exciting day in Windsor today! The Olympic torch was due to travel up Peascod Street towards Windsor Castle at 2:30pm, and in true Octopus style, we left the office at 1:30pm and took a short walk to a local bar for pizza, a sneaky beverage and to get the best possible view!

I personally don't follow the Olympics, but I didn't want to miss out on an opportunity to watch the torch pass through, as I probably wouldn't get a chance like this again in my life time.

I was pleasantly surprised by the brilliant English atmosphere and the cheers as the torch and its bearer made their way along the road. It was all over in a flash, but at least I got a photo of the torch that I will treasure always! It's a good one, don't you think? :-)

And in true torch relay style... over to you Rachel!

Emma @EmmaTapsell

Up until today, I really didn't care much about the Olympics. To be honest, all of the big sporting events this year have been a bit lost on me. But when the offer of beer and pizza was put on the table (literally), I just couldn't refuse!

So, beer in hand, I stood at the side of the road and waited for the moment that everyone had been talking about for months, if not years - and it didn't disappoint. Admittedly the torch came and went in about two seconds, but still there is nothing more heart warming than being swept up in a bit of British spirit and enjoying the sense of occasion. However, I am still pretty upset that the man with the inflatable torches never did come back :-(

I should also mention that in true English style it was - of course - raining, but that didn't stop us Octopus folk having a great afternoon!

Check out the torch heading through Windsor  here.

Rachel @RachG268

"Has all my life been leading up to this moment?" I ask myself the morning after. Sure, it had all the trappings of victory - the raising aloft of the yellow space-hopper and the exultant cries of the Ops Team, "We won one at last." But like Ben Cross in "Chariots of Fire" it feels like a hollow victory.

It was the next instalment of the Octopus Group Office Olympics, and it was time for the Olympic Hop-OFF. The event itself had been fantastic - Abi, Helen and Sophie had proven worthy opponents, but had just been unable to make it out of the heats.

Showing the true international flavour of the event, and indeed the Octopus Group, the final came down to the oldest of rivalries; England vs. Slovakia. Ingrid laid down a fearsome pace, recording a time that almost ducked under the legendary one minute barrier that doctors had said was physiologically impossible.  A truly awesome opponent who deserves most of the credit for the exciting sporting spectacle the crowd had to witness on the day.

Reminding myself of every wet Thursday night training and the long weekend runs gasping for breath, I summoned up every ounce of my MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra) being, and bounced my way to victory.

It was all over…I was the Octopus Group, Windsor Office, Hop-Off Champion 2012.

But in my heart, I know it's not right. You see, I had an unfair advantage….I was the only contestant who had owned an original 1969 orange kangaroo space-hopper….life had prepared me for this event in the back gardens of West London in a way just not available to anyone else. "Ingrid, you are the true champion. You can have my chocolate medal, but I'm keeping the space-hopper."

David @rebelruns

The dust had barely settled from the last week's Mini Pong 'OFF' when at 17:00 Thursday 29^thJune, the call came round that it was time to flex those muscles! That's right, it was arm wrestling time - a sport that has been around since the day humans figured they had arms.

For those of you who haven't indulged in this ancient sport, it isn't complicated. You don't need any equipment and the simple aim is to try and pin down the arm of your opponent. It's a sport that's all about brute strength, good leverage and quick instincts - qualities that shone through from all noble contestants.

The stage was set in the orange room; 'the theatre of dreams'. It's just you, your guns/miniguns and your opponent. There was a good turn out and a lively crowd with some dangerous heckles for topless wrestling (thankfully not enforced).

Over the course of the tournament we saw many different wrestling techniques. One bout that sticks in all our minds was the epic stand-off between Rebecca 'the tinker' Taylor and Georgia 'the hitman' Hart. A battle that resembled a scene from Friends where Spudnik and the big pink bunny had a stand-off to remember. Both contestants shared their percentage of possession, but in the interest of work deadlines, something had to give. The give was 'the tinker's right bicep and 'the hitman' walked away a delighted yet exhausted victor.

There were many rounds to follow, but two people in particular were causing a stir amongst the crowd. The undefeated Sammy 'the height' Jamieson and Steven 'the wrist' Miller.  Before long it was time for the final bout. Sammy a 6' 3" (high) PR professional from Octopus vs. Steve a 6' 3" (wide) designer from Loudhouse.

Both contestants had taken their seats and the crowd was chanting. The count down begun, 3, 2, 1.... and it was over. A disappointed crowd, who were expecting more, didn't get the value they were after. The victor, "the wrist", had these words to say after the tournament:"I'm just so pleased to get Loudhouse, Windsor its first of many wins. Its good to get our team onto the podium, and more importantly, these chocolate medals are rather tasty".

Watch this space for the next 'off' update!

Steve

It's getting close to kick off time for the London 2012 Olympics, but the festivities have already begun here at Octopus! With a summer of fun ahead for us watching Team GB win plenty of Gold (hopefully!), we thought that we should fire up our own Olympic Games here at the office. A mini table tennis competition was the first event chosen to give our Octopedes their chance to grab the gold!

The moment that the email came into the Professional Services team about this truly historic table tennis competition, all members of the team were fighting over the two allocated spaces. Finally Lindsey and myself stood up to the plate for the first of many events taking place in the Octopus Comms arena!

When the clock struck 12:15 the teams made their way to the arena (otherwise known as the Orange Room). Looking around the room there were some nervous faces. These primed athletes coming together to represent their team and bring home the gold.

The aim of the game was to play the longest rally with your team mate. The competition started slowly with teams faltering in the first round. Eventually our athletes here at Octopus were playing some superb tennis. Some beautiful slice, looped, and smash shots were being executed all over the court. A high score was recorded by the Ops team, which was proving hard to beat. Eventually it was the Professional Services' time to make history. An intense game of tennis and a few dodgy action pictures later, the Professional Services team prevailed as champions!

But the real moral of the story is that we're all winners here today.* Hopefully other Octopus teams will be able to catch up in other exciting events that are taking place in the office this summer.

Greg @gregorypsmith

*By all, I of course mean, just the Professional Services team.

As I approach the official London 2012 white water course in my private minibus I focus my mind on the task ahead. Today I will be tackling the Olympic white water rafting course and, with a gold medal in my sights, I know I'm going to have to bring my A-game.

I look out across the water, the bright sunshine streaming across the, as yet, untouched course. In final preparation for the morning's activities I lift the apple custard Danish pastry to my mouth and gobble it down in record time. I have a feeling it's going to be a record breaking day.

The clock strikes 9:00 and my team mates begin to arrive; BBC News Online, London Metro, ITN, Computer Weekly, Computing, Data Centre Management, thedatachain - we're like Team GB, only better. Then in walks our captain, Tim Brabants. Olympian, gold medallist, Cisco ambassador and emergency room doctor (I know, right?!), this is just the man to lead our motley crew to glory.

Unfortunately, we're not quite Olympic ready… not yet. We are in fact all gathered for a Cisco press event to learn about how, as official network infrastructure provider, it plans to ensure the integrity of the network for London 2012. The men delivering the presentation are so intrinsic to the running of the Olympic Games I can't even name them. So, you know, pretty standard stuff!

We spend an hour learning about just how mind-blowingly intricate and awesome the London 2012 network is going to be. 80,000 connections across 94 locations, 65,000 active network ports and over 20,000 hours of network testing before the Games even begin! Then, brain-workout complete, we head downstairs for the first of our physical tests - getting into our wetsuits (and subsequently breathing in for two hours).

Exhausted, we step out into the courtyard to meet our instructor. A few safety instructions later and we are ready to hit the water. Observing the universal rule of not looking below the waist of a person in a wetsuit, we all walk toward the course, looking skywards, feet squelching in our damp booties. I imagine this is just like the Olympics.

On the water our first task is to row forwards. We nail it. Unfortunately, there is more than one stroke to learn… but after rowing in circles for a few minutes we have a quick race with Tim (we win) and then find the start of the course. This is it. We practice our paddle high fives and then we're off..!

If the ocean is a fickle mistress, then truly the rapids are her rabid, feral children. We are thrown about, spun, flipped, splashed and soaked. We scream, laugh, choke and splutter. And then disaster - the water gets the best of us and we are flung from our vessel with dramatic force.

If you had told me a month ago that almost drowning journalists and clients would make for such a great day out I'd have laughed in your face. However, it turns out swallowing all the water in the River Lee and scrambling over one another to get to the shore is the BEST fun. PRs, journalists and Cisco execs bonded and happy, we all walk into the sunset, safe in the knowledge we could probably achieve a gold medal if we really wanted to…

Kirstin