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**Calis** · 01-02-2007, 12:12 AM

Business Times - 31 Jan 2007

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Crazy Horse: Entrepreneurs need to run free

I REFER to the articles 'Eng Wah confirms Crazy Horse closure from Feb 1' and 'Wrong formula for Crazy Horse' (BT, Jan 26).

On the reasons for the failure, the articles note that even when the Media Development Authority (MDA) lowered the age limit for entry from 21 to 18, it did not help - few knew that the show existed, because of initial rules that prohibited advertising, even at the airport.

Crazy Horse could only have black-and-white advertisements on the cinema pages of The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao, and coloured ones in The Business Times. It could not advertise in most of the mass media like TV, radio, bus stops or taxi tops. Last February, it was allowed to have leaflets in taxis, Sistic outlets, and Singapore Visitor Centres.

Why is it that the show, which is a Parisian icon and has drawn thousands to Las Vegas, the location of its second outlet, despite charging two or three times more than Singapore's $85 per head, cannot succeed in Singapore?

Not too long ago, it was the food-vans scheme which started with much fanfare that failed, primarily because the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) decided where and when they could operate, regardless of demand or market conditions.

Now, Crazy Horse has failed, primarily because of the restrictions on advertising and publicity.

Entrepreneurs need to be able to be free and run wild like horses, and it would be crazy for government agencies to arbitrarily decide on all kinds of restrictions. This lesson should be learnt.

The significance of the Crazy Horse saga is that it is not just another normal business failure, but, in a sense, hopefully, a final wake-up call to those who regulate businesses. The Crazy Horse failure may be a milestone in Singapore's coming to terms with truly embracing an entrepreneurial culture and spirit.

It would really be crazy, if another high-profile entrepreneurial venture fails again in the future - no thanks to maybe even more crazy restrictions.

Leong Sze Hian
Singapore

01-02-2007, 12:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Calis I'm just a simple guy Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,542 iTrader: (0) My Mood: Gender: Zodiac Sign: Country: Location: Serangoon SGC$: 71.64 Bank: 710.57 Total SGC$: 782.21	Business Times - 31 Jan 2007 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Crazy Horse: Entrepreneurs need to run free I REFER to the articles 'Eng Wah confirms Crazy Horse closure from Feb 1' and 'Wrong formula for Crazy Horse' (BT, Jan 26). On the reasons for the failure, the articles note that even when the Media Development Authority (MDA) lowered the age limit for entry from 21 to 18, it did not help - few knew that the show existed, because of initial rules that prohibited advertising, even at the airport. Crazy Horse could only have black-and-white advertisements on the cinema pages of The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao, and coloured ones in The Business Times. It could not advertise in most of the mass media like TV, radio, bus stops or taxi tops. Last February, it was allowed to have leaflets in taxis, Sistic outlets, and Singapore Visitor Centres. Why is it that the show, which is a Parisian icon and has drawn thousands to Las Vegas, the location of its second outlet, despite charging two or three times more than Singapore's $85 per head, cannot succeed in Singapore? Not too long ago, it was the food-vans scheme which started with much fanfare that failed, primarily because the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) decided where and when they could operate, regardless of demand or market conditions. Now, Crazy Horse has failed, primarily because of the restrictions on advertising and publicity. Entrepreneurs need to be able to be free and run wild like horses, and it would be crazy for government agencies to arbitrarily decide on all kinds of restrictions. This lesson should be learnt. The significance of the Crazy Horse saga is that it is not just another normal business failure, but, in a sense, hopefully, a final wake-up call to those who regulate businesses. The Crazy Horse failure may be a milestone in Singapore's coming to terms with truly embracing an entrepreneurial culture and spirit. It would really be crazy, if another high-profile entrepreneurial venture fails again in the future - no thanks to maybe even more crazy restrictions. Leong Sze Hian Singapore To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.