Author Archives: Dave Berkus

Strong strategies and tactics support your goal.

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Dave Berkus

 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 a number of high profile businesses … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth!, Positioning | Leave a comment

Map your goal and use your map.

Posted on December 16, 2009 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth!, Positioning | 1 Comment

Set a realistic goal. When reached, set another.

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Dave Berkus

     There’s a big difference between your vision for your company, your mission and your goal. Your vision tells the world what you want to be as you contemplate in advance how you will change the world for the better. … Continue reading →

Posted in Growth!, Positioning | 2 Comments

Fewer words, greater effect.

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Dave Berkus

I have a 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 us, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up, Positioning | 7 Comments

A compelling vision drives innovation.

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Dave Berkus

Companies that innovate new products, services and methods of delivery are the ones that stand out in a crowded business world, especially when attempting to gain recognition beside competitors on the web.  Innovation is valued by our society, by investors … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | 1 Comment

Address ten vision tests for success.

Posted on November 17, 2009 by Dave Berkus

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

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | 1 Comment

Vision is everything.

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Dave Berkus

I love absolute statements. And this is one of my favorites.  You’re at the ignition stage of a new business venture.  Of course you have a vision for what that business will do to change the world.  And this insight … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | 2 Comments

The Berkus Method – Valuing the Early Stage Investment.

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Dave Berkus

             For those of us who’ve invested in early stage companies, especially technology start-ups, we have confronted a universal problem.  There are many ways to project the value of a company for purposes of pricing an investment, but all rely … Continue reading →

Posted in Raising money | 46 Comments

3. Trade secrets + customer lists = company gold.

Posted on October 28, 2009 by Dave Berkus

Don’t take from others and don’t let others take yours.                 We must pause in this journey toward building an overwhelmingly successful business with an admonition that may seem obvious to some and completely sail over the heads of others.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | 2 Comments

2. Management quality trumps a quality plan.

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Dave Berkus

Great management teams mean more to investors than even greater business plans.  If flexibility and coachability are first in the list of traits investors value in an entrepreneur, then the quality of the proposed or actual management team come in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignition! Starting up | 5 Comments