Category Archives: General

Annual reviews or constant feedback?

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Dave Berkus

Here comes a controversial subject.  How often do you take the time to rate your direct reports?  Is it worth the time and effort when measured from the perspective of the company and of the employee?  In terms of time, … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Do you act like an Eagle Scout?

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Dave Berkus

You may have been a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout in your youth.  Certainly, you are aware of the top rank in each – the Gold Award for girls and the Eagle badge for boys.  Scouting teaches leadership and … Continue reading →

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How much do you spend on R&D? Is it enough?

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Dave Berkus

Why do profitable, mature businesses die away? One of the most obvious reasons mature businesses die away – when we look in the rear view mirror – is that they did not spend to renew their product or service when … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Hedging against downturns, Protecting the business | 2 Comments

Can you create a great customer case study?

Posted on May 30, 2019 by Dave Berkus

Attention spans are growing shorter by the second Studies have shown that attention spans for engaging a reader or listener have fallen from eleven seconds to eight seconds on average.  Eight seconds to reach someone in most any medium.  Ouch! … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Positioning | Leave a comment

Can we have fun while doing serious work?

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Dave Berkus

Have you ever noticed how slow time passes when you are in a troubled environment?  Conversely, sometimes you look up at the end of a great day and wonder where the time went. It’s driven from the top Over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Depending upon others, General, Surrounding yourself with talent | 2 Comments

Another personal story: Timing is everything in a sale.

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Dave Berkus

Almost anyone who has sold a company has a story to tell about their good deal, the problems with the buyer, a last-minute change of terms, or more. I have saved this next story until now because it is one … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 3 Comments

Insurance is always too expensive – until it’s needed.

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Dave Berkus

I expect that you have a story about how insurance saved you lots of money in your past. As usual, I have a story to make your hair stand on end. But first: here’s a fact. Business insurance is one … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Protecting the business | 1 Comment

Where is the best source of early stage investment?

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Dave Berkus

If you have been following our recent insights, you’ll be up to speed knowing that professional investors negotiate tough terms, from provisions of control over asset acquisition, eventual sale of the company, future investments, forced co-sale when others attempt to … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Raising money | 7 Comments

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

Can you pierce layers in supplier–customer partnerships?

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Dave Berkus

I recently experienced an amazing effort of outreach by a vice president of a large national customer asking for a meeting with the product development team of a critical supplier, one of “my” companies.  The goal, the VP stated, was … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Growth!, Surrounding yourself with talent | Leave a comment