Category Archives: General

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

Channel partners can be golden for growth

Posted on October 20, 2016 by Dave Berkus

Dave’s note:  Here comes my favorite “tell-it-like-it-is” CEO, Kim Shepherd, with another of her pieces from her experience managing a completely virtual company with over one hundred employees located through the United States and beyond.   By Kim Shepherd In 2006, … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Is ‘servant leadership’ too soft for today’s workforce?

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Dave Berkus

It’s a term rooted in ancient philosophy.  Robert Greenleaf may have been the first to resurrect the concept in his book published in 1970.  Not quite as bold as inverting the management triangle, the concept of servant leadership requires that … Continue reading →

Posted in Depending upon others, General, Surrounding yourself with talent | 5 Comments

The Power of the glass half empty

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Dave Berkus

Dave’s note:  This week we again welcome my co-author of “Get Scrappy” to give us some of her sage advice in only a way she could express it.  You’ll enjoy her style and message… By Kim Shepherd It’s great to … Continue reading →

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

Are you an old school customer marketer?

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Dave Berkus

“Broadcast the message and they will come!”  “Segment my broadcast and I will have better response.”  Both of these time–honored methods of reaching our customers have worked for as long as there was print and radio–TV to get the message … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Positioning | 3 Comments

Your business: Grow it and hold it?

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Dave Berkus

Taking money from professional investors such as angels or VCs usually requires that you agree to seek an exit for those investors in your plan, often targeting five to seven years as the ideal period for growth before a liquidity … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Growth! | 2 Comments

Turning out the lights is a type of exit.

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Dave Berkus

In my life as an early stage investor, I’ve been closely involved with so many businesses, there were bound to be numerous stories of failures, hopefully from which to learn lessons for all of us as we go forward. Several … Continue reading →

Posted in General, The liquidity event and beyond | 1 Comment

BERKONOMICS CELEBRATES 6TH ANNIVERSARY WITH OVER 100,000 CIRCULATION

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Dave Berkus

September 21st, 2015 marks the sixth anniversary of publication for BERKONOMICS, the blog containing insights for business management, entrepreneurs, and investors.  Starting with just 4,000 circulation in 2009, BERKONOMICS has grown to well over 100,000, and is read on five … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Patent litigation can kill the small guy.

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Dave Berkus

When you think of patents, you think of added value to the corporation in the form of protection of its intellectual property.  In fact, many corporations spend millions developing surrounding patents to form what is known as a “patent thicket,” … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Growth!, Protecting the business | 3 Comments

The five tactical skills of a great executive

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Dave Berkus

While we are on the subject of great leadership, let’s list the five principal tactical skills of a great leader.  These are not the strategic visionary skills, like leading companies through risky product launches, or steering the course through economic … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 4 Comments