BMC Associates

O Partner, Where Art Thou?

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:24:16 +0000

Contrary to the romantic notion of a passionate dreamer going it alone, most start-ups are founded by partners, not solo entrepreneurs. Think of some of the high-tech companies that have risen to fame and stunning capitalization in almost no time: Google, Facebook, LivingSocial. All started by partners. The trend isn’t limited to cutting-edge tech firms. Partners also founded some of the best-known companies of the 20th century: Black & Decker, Warner Bros., Hewlett-Packard. And then there are 3M, Costco, Microsoft, Intel, and Apple. Partners, too, founded them. Read More

New Publication: O Partner, Where Art Thou?

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:26:55 +0000

David Gage, Principal and Co-Founder of BMC Associates, is the author of “O Partner, Where Art Thou,” an article in the latest issue of Kogod Now, the highly regarded print and web-based publication of the Kogod School of Business at American University. Gage, adjunct professor at the Kogod School, discusses the status (and relative paucity) of academic study of business partners’ collaboration as a key driver in the American economy.

BMC Associates Announces Addition of Stewart Christ as Principal

AmyP — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:32:49 +0000

BMC Associates is pleased to announce that Mr. Stewart Christ has joined the firm as a Principal. In joining BMC, Mr. Christ adds significant strength to a team comprised of the current Principals and Co-Founders Dr. David Gage and Dr. Edward Kopf and an outstanding group of Associates, all mediators with expertise in a variety of related disciplines.

“We are very excited Stewart is joining the firm.

A Conversation on Business Partnerships in Startups

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:27:43 +0000

Event: A Conversation on Business Partnerships in Startups with David Gage
Hosted by: Affinity Lab, The Fort.vc, Social Tables, and CoFounders Lab
Event Date: March 7, 2012
Location: Washington, D.C.

David Gage spoke and took questions about building and maintaining business partnerships among startup founders. This was the perfect event for any founder planning to enter a new partnership or looking to improve the one they’re already in.

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?: Brothers in Family Business

edkopf — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Posting by Ed Kopf, Ph.D., Principal at BMC Associates

Sibling-partners’ relationships are among the most challenging in family businesses. Such siblings are often second-generation co-owners of an inherited business. This means

They may not have had a free choice as to who their partner would be.
They may be 50/50 owners – a demanding arrangement under any circumstances.
Finally, they have a lifetime of emotions and experiences to deal with in their relationship in addition to the demands on all business partners.

Healthy Business Partners and Partnerships

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:15:30 +0000

Event: World Presidents’ Organization (WPO), Washington DC & Baltimore Chapter
Event Date: October 6, 2011
Location: Severn, MD

David Gage spoke at the first session in a series of four business track programs on healthy business partners and partnerships.

Stewart H. Christ, MBA

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:19 +0000

Disciplines: Business Consultant and Forum Moderator Stewart H. Christ, Principal, is an experienced business management, strategic marketing, and technology consultant. The Founder of Executive Peer Forum, he works with the owners and senior executives of a variety of enterprises. The forum process entails the issues of life balance, including family, health, and spirituality, as well as business issues such as growth, profitability, strategic planning, sources of capital and key personnel, board and investor matters. Read More

Succession Planning: Firm Foundations for a New Generation

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:26:37 +0000

All of the “Millers” realized that the transfer of ownership of their business from the founding father to his son and daughter would be challenging and risky. Now the siblings realized that, if they stayed in the company, they would eventually face another critical transition — inheriting the firm and becoming business partners with one another. Read More

Drafting a Family Business Bill of Rights: Try Your Hand at It

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:25:29 +0000

Posting by: Edward J. Kopf

The genius of the American political system is that it tries to assure every individual at least enough fairness and respect to keep us working within the system. Even if we are unhappy with current policies and practices, almost all of us are willing to address our grievances by the rules – so long as we know we can speak our piece, be treated fairly in the legal system, and be reasonably secure in our persons and property.

Fairness and Pay in Family Business

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 08:49:37 +0000

Posting by David Gage, Ph.D., Principal at BMC Associates, and Ms. Liubov Sivokhina. A popular saying goes, “Treat your business like business and your family like family.” But what do you do when business is family? What’s fair then? It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that many conflicts in a family-owned business arise from a feeling of unfairness. Oftentimes that “unfair” feeling revolves around money. Read More