Money is Good, but Opportunities are Better

It always amazes me to see how our good government come up with so many handout schemes for businesses, like free consultancy, free ISO etc. 

Handouts are good, but for how long?  As a entrepreneur, the motivating factor is not free money, but an environment where they can have a fair fight and prove their capabilities. 

So when the government gives out money to the small businesses, the government needs to follow-up with more business opportunities. Otherwise, the money is not put to good use.  We know that in business money grows money, and handouts are good if they can be put to good use to generate more business. Otherwise, the money will be gone in no time.

What I think the government should do to give more business opportunities for small businesses include:

1. Law requiring the public sector and all big companies to, before asking for quotes from foreign companies, to put up their purchase requisition in a website whereby only local companies can quote, say for 2 weeks. This is the same as MOM requiring companies to put up their job advertisements on a government portal first before looking for  foreigners.
2. Organize more trade shows, exhibitions and networking sessions at a highly subsidized rate or even FREE so that small businesses have more chances to meet people and get new contacts.
3. Requiring all senior civil servants to work for small businesses for 2 weeks in a year in order to get a feel of how difficult the business environment is for small businesses.
4. Promote Singapore businesses internationally using social media and mobile internet.
5. Outsource their government activities even more to businesses 

The above are my humble suggestions, hope someone from the Government can take some action. 

By Andy Ng, Chief Trainer at Asia Trainers. The newest course The Manager as Challenger is on 31 March 2015 Tuesday 9 am to 12.30 pm.  Details are at www.asiatrainers.com/SeminarList.php.  Related articles:

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