Comment by cess11

My pet peeve in this area that pretty much always gets overlooked by technical people even if they're somewhat experienced in management and business, is compliance. It's always good and profitable to adapt to and preferably implement representations of laws and regulations, including 'soft' rules, like standard contracts, established business practices, non-compulsory laws, things like that.

Even if no customer today cares about something, a form of employee compensation that is a bit unusual, say, or 'reversed' VAT declaration in invoicing, or whatever, if large actors in your segment do, and that's most likely the case, then you should at least build things based off the formalities in the local jurisdiction so that when your sales people get a big prospect on the hook you'll have an easy time adding what they need.

It can also shield from legal or financial liabilities if someone gets angry at you, and your lawyer will be happier and possibly cheaper if they know you understand your legal environment. If you're doing an exit buyers will also appreciate good compliance, just like they appreciate other forms of risk management.