TWO Olympic athletes have spoken to members of the business community about applying an Olympic mentality to the workplace.

Steve Backley OBE and Roger Black MBE spoke to more than 100 people at a business lunch hosted by Lloyds TSB on Monday.

The two athletes spoke about how they use their passion to drive success and how business people need to focus this passion on clear, achievable goals. They also discussed the importance of a strong team.

Roger, who is one of the most successful track athletes in British Olympic history, said: "Ultimately what we talk about is performance and the lessons we learnt about it. We then challenge people to look at their own performance critically in light of that. Clarity of goals is essential so we go through a goal setting process. If everyone can go away thinking differently we've done our job."

Steve, the only British field competitor to have won medals at three different Olympic Games, added: "This is my first trip to the Island and I'm very impressed so far. Personally I always enjoy the Q&A part more than the talking because that's when you really get to know people and when you get challenged."

Trevor Kirk, head of corporate banking at Lloyds TSB Isle of Man, said: "I think it is important for us as a bank and major employer on the Island to give something back to the community, our customers and those we do business with and ensure that the Island benefits in some way from our sponsorship of the 2012 London Olympics.

"I am of course very grateful to my colleagues at Scottish Widows who have made today possible and I have to say how thought-provoking and interesting Steve and Roger were and how well their talk was received by our guests."