Author Archives: Dave Berkus
CoronaVirus and small business: A discussion about economics
By Harley Kaufman, guest author Note from Dave: Harley is an old friend and avid reader of BERKONOMICS. With a background in management and technology, he gives us something to think about regarding today’s top-of-news subject. Addressing the issue to … Continue reading
How about personal guarantees for company debt?
Is the guarantee still required today? More than ever, the banks and lenders today require personal guarantees from entrepreneurs, and even from CEO’s of angel or some VC funded businesses. Starting and running a small or growing business can be … Continue reading
Warning: Contractors must really be independent!
Our challenge is getting more difficult How many of us have “hired” independent contractors over the years, a bit worried over the gray area between employee and contractor as defined by the IRS? Or separately the State of California? I’ve … Continue reading
Some thoughts about office politics
Where’s the threat? It is hard to separate this kind of advice from economic lessons in running a business, when office politics can threaten a business in ways that are subtle, but sometimes just as devastating as economic shocks or … Continue reading
Where’s your sense of urgency?
It is human nature to start in a new position with enthusiasm, lofty goals, new ideas, and a heightened awareness of those around us and their ideas for the business. After time in our job positions And it is an … Continue reading
Why document your company’s tribal knowledge?
The processes you and your subordinates follow It is not common for the CEO of a rapidly growing company to think of slowing down the furious pace enough to have each manager (including the CEO) document the job process managed, … Continue reading
Special edition: Building semi pro audio video studio
Like to make professional videos for a small cost? Postings to on-line sites? Dave takes you through the process, shows the results, and gives you the costs. There’s lots more information you will find as you experiment and may need … Continue reading
Does your company culture encourage employee curiosity?
It’s more common than you think Some of the world’s best companies to work for are those that encourage employees to spend time following their own paths of curiosity toward development of new products or services. Google, 3M, Facebook, and … Continue reading
The dangerous game: Hiring from a competitor
Sometimes it is the first thought you or your managers have when in need of skilled talent, especially for sales or product development. It is not hard to find and observe the best employees of a good competitor at work, … Continue reading
Can your employees recruit from a customer or supplier?
The recruitment traps It has happened to all of us who have been leaders in business long enough. One of your employees is approached by an employee of a customer or of a supplier, stating that “It sure would be … Continue reading