Author Archives: Dave Berkus

Fewer words, greater effect.

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Dave Berkus

I have a good business friend, an experienced manager and teacher with a Harvard MBA, whose creativity and intelligence are admired by many.  But he dilutes his effectiveness with wordy PowerPoint presentations.  It has become a long running joke between … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Could you be the next Ford, Jobs or Musk?

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Well, it’s a fair question. Note that none of these three famous innovators were inventors like Thomas Edison, but visionaries who see a new marketplace or niche or how to reach the mass market in ways not previously attempted. Innovation … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | 1 Comment

Sharpen your business vision!

Posted on May 25, 2023 by Dave Berkus

I love absolute statements. Pardon my English. But this is one of my favorite statements.  You’re at the ignition stage of your newest business venture.  Of course, you have a vision for what you will do to change the world.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Positioning | Leave a comment

Protect your company secrets!

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Let’s create a use case. Most senior and middle level managers will understand when a subordinate comes to them to resign and begin a new business.  But all will immediately question whether the new business will compete in any way … Continue reading →

Posted in Protecting the business | Leave a comment

Is it YOU or your great plan?

Posted on May 11, 2023 by Dave Berkus

So, what do you think is more important? There may be more choices here. But the most important ones for any size business, including start-ups, is: Do you believe it should be the quality of your management team, or the … Continue reading →

Posted in Depending upon others, Finding your ideal niche, Growth!, Raising money | 1 Comment

Are you at risk for tech killing your job?

Posted on May 4, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Stop me if you’ve heard this story before. “My job as a (newspaper publisher telephone installer, stockbroker, travel agent, retail store manager) writer, poet, commercial artist – is safe as this economy continues to grow.”  Yup. Thought so. We are … Continue reading →

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

Are you a dictator about sales deadlines?

Posted on April 27, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Everyone who manages a company, a workgroup or a sales force wants to write as many new deals as possible and is usually wary about doing anything that might threaten the positive outcome of a pending sale. We hesitate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Depending upon others, Growth! | Leave a comment

What are the odds of your startup’s success?

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Well, the numbers don’t lie, even if there are several sources of these statistics.  Starting a company is HARD – in so many ways.  And risky too. Let’s start with a restaurant -not our thing. But… I read several years … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth!, Protecting the business, Raising money | Leave a comment

Nothing good happens after midnight!

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Here’s another one from my Dad, a very wise man. He gave me this advice right after I received my driver’s license years ago.  It took years to understand the importance of this prophetic statement. Taking this advice literally: Gun … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

So, what’s a company board good for, anyway?

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Some of you have gotten along forever without a board of directors, or used your spouse as the “other” board member from the start.  But there are some very good reasons to build a great board composed of some outside … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 4 Comments