After 20 Years: Updating the Berkus Method of Valuation
Well, it had to happen. Originally created in the mid 1990’s to help with the imprecise problem of how to value early stage companies, especially those in technology, I developed what soon became known as “The Berkus Method” when published in the popular book, “Winning Angels” by Harvard’s Amis and Stevenson with my permission in 2001. But…
Read MoreHow to Think Like a (Genius) Entrepreneur
“Michael, do you know how I know that you’re going to be a huuuuuuge success? Because you’re too GdD#$n stupid to understand that you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing!” I first heard this loving declaration from my friend and mentor Tom Cain 25 years ago during my first year in business. I had just…
Read More4 Win-Win Formulas to Successful Office Branding
We usually think of a brand identity as the way in which a business wishes to be perceived by others. A variety of components, including logos, slogans, color schemes, fonts and imagery, make up a brand identity, but the emphasis is usually placed on influencing the way consumers feel about a business and its products…
Read MoreEmails That Nurture Leads
Sending emails may be considered in this day and age the soon-to-be dinosaurs of digital marketing but the truth is they are still effective, if you do them the right way, that is. Now you might think the only thing emails are useful for are for quick correspondences (an upgrade to snail mail if you…
Read MoreCustomer Service Training is for Managers Too
Good managers know that customer service is the lifeblood of any successful company. It’s costly to run a business that is dependent on “new” customers. It’s far more cost efficient to focus on converting customers into repeat/loyal customers through exceptional and consistent customer service. Given this, it’s no wonder that many companies invest in customer…
Read MoreUse Psychology to Design a Great Logo
Designing a great logo is key if you want to give the best impression of your business. Not only will you give a clearer portrayal of your business with a great logo, you’ll also make your business far more memorable and recognizable. However, there’s more to it than just sketching a few random ideas and…
Read MoreWhat a Local TV Commercial for Your Small Business Should Look Like
There’s a reason companies spend thousands, and sometimes millions, of dollars on TV ads. They work! They reach a huge audience and bring people into stores to make purchases. Commercials must really be effective for companies to warrant spending a fortune on them. But what about smaller companies? TV spots that air in your local…
Read MoreTop Tips for Dealing with Bizarre HR Requests
If you work in HR or management, you’re likely to have come across some difficult or unusual requests and queries during your time. And, while you may sometimes feel like banging your head against the wall, you need to be able to strike a balance between entertaining people’s wishes, however off the wall they may…
Read MoreHow Can You Effectively Market Your Business When You’re in a Competitive Niche?
Knowing how to market your business effectively takes hard work, knowledge and dedication. And even with all of that, there’s no guarantee your efforts will be a success. But how much more difficult is this when you’re in a competitive niche? Without a huge budget or the right contacts, it’s difficult to make waves. One…
Read More7 Startup Scenarios That May Be Judged Non-Fundable
If you aren’t willing to take some risk as an entrepreneur, then don’t expect any gain. Yet everyone has limits, and every investor implicitly has similar limits on what makes a startup investable, or one to avoid at all costs. If you need investors, it’s important that you understand their filters, and even if you…
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