I see the experience in managing start-up issues very similar to sailing a sail boat. One targets a point of reference such a land mass. But the winds, weather, under-currents, and waves all tend to push the boat to another direction. To maintain the original track, one has to adjust the sail, manage the tiller, struggle with the elements — all to reach that target.
In actualizing a business plan, I see the problems down the road as hurdles, not obstacles. Does another company or individual own the coveted URL? Then one has to adjust the strategy to handle that problem. Is there enough capital to buy that URL? Or can the original name for the URL can be tweaked in order to have a workable but similar URL.
With my legal experience, I encountered major problems with the company. In one instance, the front doors are padlocked and employees had to enter to work. I discovered that the company lost a case worth several million dollars, and the outside counsel failed to post a bond or settle the matter, prior to my tenure with the company.
In England, a holder of the mark demanded a payment worth several thousands to let the company use its mark in Europe. Fortunately, we had registered the mark with USPTO and were capable of challenging the demand while only costing several hours of legal bills.
The characteristics of a successful start-up is its ability to handle these hurdles. The team must be capable of reacting on a dime when there is limited capital and time. I recently saw the latest Mission Impossible movie with the character Ethan Hunt. One admirable trait is his ability to look at a supposed impossible situation, and take the bull by the horn and resolve them. Every start-up company should have such a person board because an individual like that is priceless. He should be able to handle all those bumps and resolve them, quickly and efficiently.
Simple Advice for Entrepreneurs on Capital, Strategy, Legal Services, Management, Entrepreneurship, VC Funding and other things - Juan Ramon Zarco 