BUSINESSES can gain a first-mover advantage by developing an idea that maximises the use of a government asset under the First Mover Framework. Championed by The Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP), the framework provides a way for state agencies to recognise and encourage the development of innovative ideas that maximise the use of public assets such as land, buildings or floor space.

A company that has enjoyed a head start in its business is MCCM Media - an advertising firm that was accorded First Mover Advantage by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in June 2005. MCCM's winning idea was to install advertisement stickers on table tops in food centres.

In recognition of this pioneering idea, NEA awarded MCCM the right to install table top advertisements at food centres operated by the National Environmental Agency (NEA) for 12 months.

In other words, MCCM did not have to bid for the rights in an open tender and worry about whether it would win the bid at a reasonable price and be able to roll out its idea. 'We're really glad the government is open to genuinely new and innovative ideas like our table top advertising proposal for food centres,' said MCCM Media managing director Malcolm Choi.

'The First Mover Framework is very encouraging for small companies with big ideas. Without a doubt we have benefited, with our one-year licence award followed by successful table top advertisement installations at Chomp Chomp, Maxwell, Newton and many other food centres.'

According to Seah Liang Chiang, a member of PEP and managing director of DSC Holdings: 'Without the First Mover Framework, government agencies would find it difficult to accord any advantage to businesses with good innovative ideas. PEP, which has already built a strong foundation in cutting business red tape, and with most of its members from the private sector, is a natural champion for this framework.'

The First Mover advantage can come in the form of an allocation advantage and/or a price advantage.

An allocation advantage, which is what MCCM enjoyed, means a business gets favourable treatment when the asset is allocated for the proposed innovative use.

Price advantage means the business need not pay market price for the use of the asset. To qualify, the idea must be new to Singapore or not actively considered by a public agency in the past 12 months if it has been suggested before.

The First Mover Framework has brought MCCM many benefits.

During its one-year licence award, it not only added the NEA Food Centres Network to its advertising clients but enhanced its specialist position in advocating and promoting table top advertising at food and beverage outlets.

'Businesses, especially local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), can now apply innovative ideas to government assets and leverage on well-structured support such as the First Mover advantage concept, that really rewards our creativity and innovations,' said MCCM's Mr Choi.

To do so, businesses can apply online at www.firstmover.gov.sg.

The Pro-Entreprise Panel (PEP) was established in 2000 to actively solicit feedback from businesses on how government rules and regulations can be improved to create a more pro-enterprise environment in Singapore. The PEP is chaired by the Head of Civil Service, Peter Ho, and comprises mainly business leaders from the private sector.