Author Archives: Dave Berkus

What’s the difference between your budget and forecast?

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Hold it! These are confusing terms. When does a budget become obsolete? Do we rely upon constant changes and call it a forecast? So, let’s spend a few moments defining this sometimes-confusing set of terms. This is a budget: A … Continue reading →

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

Make your detailed strategic plan!

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Dave Berkus

In these past weeks, we explored the need for a tangible goal and strategies that are measurable as steps toward achievement of your goal.  Today, we explore how to create tactics to accompany each strategy, and even suggest a number … Continue reading →

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

You’re the general. So, make your strategic plan!

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Continuing the process of planning… So now we’re getting organized.  There are many ways to express the roadmap for your enterprise.  One of the most popular was used by the U.S. Army late in World War II and adopted by … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

So, what’s the plan?

Posted on June 29, 2023 by Dave Berkus

It’s time to speak of some sort of business plan.   As a professional investor in early-stage companies, I have long discounted long, detailed business plans in favor of a concise “executive summary” followed by a believable spreadsheet-based financial forecast … Continue reading →

Posted in Finding your ideal niche, Positioning | Leave a comment

Can you guess 10 tests for your success?

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Dave Berkus

Your success must be based upon data that is solid and sometimes 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 business success.  Try … Continue reading →

Posted in Finding your ideal niche, Growth!, Positioning | 1 Comment

How are you at setting your goals?

Posted on June 15, 2023 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 Finding your ideal niche, Positioning | Leave a comment

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 | 2 Comments

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