This week my conversation is with Carlo Cotrone, who is a Chief IP Counsel and frequent contributor to IPWatchdog, both our online publication and at our in-person programs. Carlo writes and speaks frequently about setting up, growing and managing in-house IP departments, and that is the focus of our conversation. We discuss taking a holistic view that focuses on the IP strategy, the people, and the operational aspects of building and managing a team, which includes both in-house employees, outside law firms and service providers, all working together in coordination to deliver high impact for the company.

During our conversation we discuss the need to guard against your in-house team falling into doing commoditized work, which gets in the way of your in-house team really partnering with the business and maximizing value for the company.

We also discuss what Carlo refers to as “servant leadership”, and when he discusses the concept of servant leadership you can’t help but be reminded of the old saying about nothing being impossible to accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit. Carlo explains that this service-oriented mindset has allowed him to confidently and carefully navigate whatever issues arise in a thoughtful and intentional way. And it is “intentionality” that Carlo focuses on repeatedly in his writings, presentations and during this conversation, because as he explains constantly fighting fires is not the right way to do business. Sure, things need to be done and issues will arise, but to successfully lead you need to focus on the fundamentals, strategy, people, operations, and periodically reevaluate all of the above to ensure the ideas and plans you are trying to execute continue to make sense and everyone is rowing in the same direction and toward the same goals, ensuring that that status quo is not being accepted and the team is delivering what the company and internal clients deserve and require.

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