Author Archives: Dave Berkus

How to cheat legally on your tax return.

When do you cross the line between honesty and dishonesty in tax planning?  Is it ethical to allocate income between periods to take advantage of tax breaks?  Can expenses be put off until the next period to increase income, or … Continue reading

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Do you really need an accountant?

First, let’s be sure we define our terms. Accountants are trained, certified and usually quite experienced in financial analysis, both creating and reviewing data.  Bookkeepers are often trained on the job although sometimes more formally and handle the physical work … Continue reading

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

Can your lawyer destroy a good business deal?

Let’s talk about lawyers… Over the years in business and as a member of over forty boards, I have received good advice from corporate attorneys and on occasion bad advice as well.  There is a line that should be drawn … Continue reading

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

What if you see juicy competitor information?

Has this happened to you?      Many of us belong to industry associations and find ourselves at conferences and trade shows with time to spend with competitors.  Some of these are old friends, some even former associates.  It is natural to … Continue reading

Posted in Protecting the business | 2 Comments

Wow! Are your relationships important!

Forming business relationships at the highest level As you follow these insights from ignition to liquidity event, you’ll detect a continuing theme, emphasizing the need for deep and wide relationships that the CEO and senior staff can call upon for … Continue reading

Posted in Depending upon others, Surrounding yourself with talent | 1 Comment

What are the costs of taking investor money?

Let’s talk about the reality of taking money from professional investors.  It is not the first time we’ve covered this general subject nor the last. But this time, we concentrate upon governance changes. After friends and family… Once a company … Continue reading

Posted in Raising money | 1 Comment

Do you need an advisory board?

Have you ever thought of creating an advisory board? As you can guess, that would be an informal group with no legal responsibilities, but one able to be called upon to act as business, industry and scientific advisors to the … Continue reading

Posted in Growth!, Surrounding yourself with talent | 4 Comments

Do you even need a business coach?

Everyone, even seasoned CEO’s can use a good coach who knows how to bring out the best in a person, is knowledgeable about the business process, and who has an extended list of relationships to call upon to fill needs … Continue reading

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Should you be optimistic about your corporate growth?

Planning for future space needs after COVID. One of the most obvious observations I make with growing company CEO’s is that planning for a new office is done with an optimistic view of the future, incorporating planned space that compromises … Continue reading

Posted in Hedging against downturns, Protecting the business | Leave a comment

If you must lease an office, make it a short one!

 Avoid long-term commitments! It is statistically true that at least half of the young companies funded by angel or venture investors will not survive three years from funding to demise, and more than that percentage will die with two years if … Continue reading

Posted in Hedging against downturns, Protecting the business | Leave a comment