Author Archives: Dave Berkus

How to use metrics and a dashboard

Posted on May 4, 2017 by Dave Berkus

Have you ever driven a car that had no speedometer?  I had that thrill when a student at the Richard Petty Stock Car School of Driving at a motor speedway in California.  With a wide track, angled aggressively at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth!, Protecting the business | 3 Comments

Have you set your life and business goals?

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Dave Berkus

We’ve spent several weeks discussing your vision for success, and whether you could be the next Ford, Jobs or Musk.  Now it’s time to make this more tangible, more real – by attaching personal goals to this vision we’ve created … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Positioning | 1 Comment

Could you be the next Ford, Jobs or Musk?

Posted on April 20, 2017 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 find a new marketplace or niche – or how to reach the mass market in new ways. Leaders and … Continue reading →

Posted in Finding your ideal niche, Positioning | 1 Comment

Here are ten vision tests for your success

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Dave Berkus

Your vision for success must be solid and flexible enough to pass several critical tests if it is to guide a business enterprise to greatness.  Here in brief are ten tests for your successful vision.  Try these on for size, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Positioning | 2 Comments

Vision for your future success is EVERYTHING!

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Dave Berkus

I love absolute statements. And this is one of my favorites.  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.  Let’s stress test that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Positioning | 1 Comment

How to protect your company lists and trade secrets

Posted on March 30, 2017 by Dave Berkus

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 with their enterprise, and react … Continue reading →

Posted in Protecting the business | Leave a comment

Fewer words, greater effect.

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Dave Berkus

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

Posted in General | 3 Comments

Which is more important: Management quality or a better plan?

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Dave Berkus

So, what do you think is more important? The quality of your management team, or the plan you execute toward success? Checking with professional investors from angels to VC’s, the answer appears to be near unanimous: the quality of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Surrounding yourself with talent | 2 Comments

Startups: What are your odds for success?

Posted on March 9, 2017 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. I read several years ago, that the average startup restaurant lasts only about … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | 4 Comments

Do you think you are flexible and coachable?

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Dave Berkus

As an early stage investor, the first test for me is whether “my” entrepreneur is flexible in both the plan and execution of his or her vision (since from experience almost everything about a business plan changes over time), and … Continue reading →

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