Author Archives: Dave Berkus

BERKONOMICS HAS MOVED TO BERKUS.COM

Posted on July 16, 2024 by Dave Berkus

Thanks for reading BERKONOMICS.  All posts and all new posts have now moved to https://berkus.com/berkonomics Email subscriber have already been redirected. New graphics. Much more content. Videos. RSS feed subscribers, please change your feed to  https://berkus.com/berkonomics-rss/ ‎ or https://berkus.com/feed (for raw … Continue reading →

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Can you be liked while being tough?

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Dave Berkus

People argue over whether an entrepreneur with a sense of fairness, a desire for collegiality, a want to share the profits can succeed in the long run within a business world full of lions and tigers that eat timid entrepreneurs … Continue reading →

Posted in Positioning, Surrounding yourself with talent | Leave a comment

Startup intoxication!

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Dave Berkus

There is nothing quite as thrilling in business as igniting a startup and watching it blossom.  Especially when starting a company with personal savings or money from relatives and friends, early signs of success are intoxicating.  Each new customer, each … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | Leave a comment

Find your rock in Ensenada!

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Dave Berkus

Have you found your special place to think strategically without interruption?  I found mine on a rock in Ensenada, Mexico years ago… But I am ahead of myself… Every entrepreneur has that moment of truth – the one that marks … Continue reading →

Posted in Finding your ideal niche, Ignition! Starting up | Leave a comment

Ever receive worthless advice?

Posted on June 20, 2024 by Dave Berkus

Ever get bad advice? Sure. We all have in our past. Ever take that advice without question because the person giving it was an investor, a superior in rank, the chairperson of your board?  I’ll bet you have at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Depending upon others, Protecting the business | 2 Comments

Should you find a business coach?

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Dave Berkus

Does this resonate with you? The CEO position can be a lonely place, especially when you find yourself in a position of not being able to bring an issue directly to the board and not wanting to explore solutions with … Continue reading →

Posted in Depending upon others, Surrounding yourself with talent | Leave a comment

I’ve been sued as a board member.

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Dave Berkus

I’ve been sued as a board member too many times over the past twenty-five years of board service.  Five times. Does that shock you?  It does me. What’s the exposure? Here are some examples: Entrepreneurs blaming their board for failures … Continue reading →

Posted in Protecting the business, Surrounding yourself with talent | 2 Comments

Are you expecting too much from your board?

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Dave Berkus

Expect a board member to give a meeting a month, emails and phone calls between.  Urgent issues require more of all. Of course this is a tricky question. You might expect the answer to be “as much as necessary” or … Continue reading →

Posted in Depending upon others, Surrounding yourself with talent | Leave a comment

How do you pay an early-stage board?

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Dave Berkus

Give one percent equity to each outside board member vesting over two to four years of service. Many early-stage CEOs and board members have asked for some guidance regarding pay and time commitments for board members.  Here is my best … Continue reading →

Posted in Surrounding yourself with talent | 1 Comment

No surprises! Good advice for all of us.

Posted on May 16, 2024 by Dave Berkus

First, keep your manager or board informed regularly. Most all leaders new to their position underestimate this time requirement.  It is good for the company when you share concerns, threats and opportunities with your superiors or your board.  The rule … Continue reading →

Posted in Protecting the business | Leave a comment