The next PossibLaw show with guest Arjen van Berkem—Chief Strategy Wizard at CATS CM—digs into entrepreneurship as a craft: embracing the struggle, building a unique identity, and why real impact comes from relationships, community, and clarity of purpose. We reframe risk assessment as opportunity design, explore how emotional intelligence, transparency, and leadership reshape legal and business decisions, and get practical about using artificial intelligence and deep learning in the legal industry without losing the human edge. If you’re interested in growing your entrepreneurial mindset this episode is packed with life lessons, success habits, and professional development you can put to work today.
Takeaways
Entrepreneurial Mindset = test/learn cycles: try broadly, double-down on what works, harvest lessons from failure.
Treat risk as “opportunity with a downside”; make decisions with intent, not fear.
Identity fuels communication: find your voice, be consistent (and calm), ask for feedback often.
Transparency is kindness—clear, direct communication accelerates teams and trust.
Legal’s role: coach the business, don’t referee the play; align contracts to outcomes and accountability.
From “contract” to “contact” management: relationships matter—have the closeout dinner and keep the human touch.
Get lawyers into the business: shop-floor time beats email threads; culture > checklists.
AI in legal (LLMs, automation) is augmented intelligence: validate outputs, track process non-linearity, watch for bias.
Build adaptability: resource allocation management, capacity planning, and clear roles reduce firefighting.
Parenting, reading, and serendipity: mix domains to create tacit knowledge and durable innovation.
👤 Guest Bio
Arjen van Berkem is the Chief Strategy Wizard at CATS CM, a contract methodology company. A seasoned entrepreneur, teacher, and prolific writer, he blends culture, technology, and law to help organizations design outcome-driven contracts and resilient processes.
🔗 Connect With Arjen
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjenvanberkum/
• CATS CM: Search “CATS CM contract methodology”
https://www.cats-cm.com
🔗 More From Salvador
• Connect with Salvador Carranza on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza
• Explore more founder and transformation-leader interviews on PossibLaw
👉 If you’re fascinated by the entrepreneurial mindset, legal innovation, and career advice for modern operators, subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of this podcast.
Chapters
00:00 Show Intro
03:22 Intro and Personal Background
06:11 The Importance of Reading and Learning
08:41 Applying Knowledge and Taking Action
12:04 Understanding Risk and Opportunity
14:09 The Role of Failure in Growth
15:30 Finding Purpose in Entrepreneurship
19:38 Teaching Growth Mindset and Entrepreneurial Thinking
22:19 Build Growth Mindset
25:19 Embedding Legal Teams in Business
33:40 Learning to use AI and focusing on the business
39:38 Fostering Curiosity in Education
41:30 The Importance of Critical Thinking
44:21 Mastering Communication Skills
48:48 AI and Its Impact on Society
56:38 Building Human Connections in a Digital Age
01:06:03 Transforming Contract Management Practices
01:12:52 Closing Thoughts
