I don't sign an NDA unless there's something I want on the other side. For example, I sign them all the time with potential customers before they'll tell me their traffic numbers. In this case, I skim and sign. The same goes for potential partners who want to share their roadmap or confidential business information. I've also asked people to sign an NDA before sharing financials. No, I won't sign an NDA to hear your business idea, but if it's the only thing between me and the information I want, I'll keep my thoughts about NDAs to myself and just sign it.
No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
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Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#22Frankly, I am getting tired of this "ideas are worthless, execution is golden" mantra. Of course, "let's build a online shop" idea is useless, but it's not really an idea to begin with. An idea that is worth discussing with others would typically include some minimal validation, an execution and marketing plan and, in general, some amount of thought put into it. Because otherwise it's not an idea, but a random brainf…
Especially in software, ideas execution is a continuum. I think an idea, a well-thought-out idea, a spec, a program, maybe even machine code are just more-and-more detailed designs. More (and less obvious) detail is more work, and worth more.
Now that I think about it, the transition from program to machine code is interesting. I guess design stops when you can turn the design into a finished product via a mechanical translation. Similarly, a physical engineer's work is done when their design can be executed by "commodity" factories, workers, etc.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#23Frankly, I am getting tired of this "ideas are worthless, execution is golden" mantra. Of course, "let's build a online shop" idea is useless, but it's not really an idea to begin with. An idea that is worth discussing with others would typically include some minimal validation, an execution and marketing plan and, in general, some amount of thought put into it. Because otherwise it's not an idea, but a random brainf…
If the project can be "fully described in just 4 words", you're going to lose it to established players shortly after release.
First mover advantage is probably as overrated as the value of the idea.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#24Frankly, I am getting tired of this "ideas are worthless, execution is golden" mantra. Of course, "let's build a online shop" idea is useless, but it's not really an idea to begin with. An idea that is worth discussing with others would typically include some minimal validation, an execution and marketing plan and, in general, some amount of thought put into it. Because otherwise it's not an idea, but a random brainf…
If the project can be "fully described in just 4 words", you're going to lose it to established players shortly after release. First mover advantage is probably as overrated as the value of the idea.
We'll see. I sort of know what I am doing here.
(edit) The value of a head start depends on the market entrance strategy. The core idea may not be that obvious until later stages, when the first-mover advantage has been utilized.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's worth noting that many states, including CA have laws that say something to the effect of: Anything you do on your own time, with your own equipment, that is not related to your employer's line of work is yours, even if the contract you signed says otherwise.
Yes, But a contract forbidding outside consulting is still grounds for termination. You just know that they can't legally claim the work you did for themselves.
Hasn't the whole US adopted "at will" employment? Basically, you can quit for any reason, and they can terminate you for any reason. No employment agreement violation required.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#26This is very anecdotal, so your experiences probably are very different (especially since I'm in Arizona, a lot of people here just aren't nearly as hacker-friendly as the Bay area). Out of the ~15-20 project ideas that people have talked to me about, I've been asked to sign an NDA 4 times. I found something interesting about the people who asked for an NDA: they weren't very good at following up. For most of the oth…
The very request to sign an NDA assumes the idea could be could and executed upon listening to a 15 minute speech about it. This is a clear litmus test that the idea itself is not worth much. Without intrinsic IP or competitive advantages, the wanna-be-preneur resorts to artificial protection measures like the NDA, secrecy and quickly becomes delusional. Requests to sign NDAs are one of the worsts red flags an early stage entrepreneur can have.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#27Frankly, I am getting tired of this "ideas are worthless, execution is golden" mantra. Of course, "let's build a online shop" idea is useless, but it's not really an idea to begin with. An idea that is worth discussing with others would typically include some minimal validation, an execution and marketing plan and, in general, some amount of thought put into it. Because otherwise it's not an idea, but a random brainf…
I'm pretty sure that John covered, in his article, the semantics of the word "idea". He drew the line between an idea and your notion of "brainfart" with a 10 page business plan. I guess he was trying to make the point that if the idea is truly going to revolutionise whatever, then at least a 10 page business plan would not be a big ask, and would show that it is more than an in-shower brainfart.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#28great. we'll never be able to do business with you since we can't disclose information about our customers to 3rd parties without one. way to limit your options.
The type of people this article talks about don't have any customers yet.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, But a contract forbidding outside consulting is still grounds for termination. You just know that they can't legally claim the work you did for themselves.
Hasn't the whole US adopted "at will" employment? Basically, you can quit for any reason, and they can terminate you for any reason. No employment agreement violation required.
Yes, though there are some differences between being fired for cause and merely having your employment relationship ended; for example, you can't collect unemployment benefits if you're fired for (a legitimate) cause. On the other hand, larger companies tend to make it a practice never to fire anyone for cause except in the most egregious circumstances, because they don't want to bother justifying it.
Re: No I won't sign your NDA, here's why.
#30Frankly, I am getting tired of this "ideas are worthless, execution is golden" mantra. Of course, "let's build a online shop" idea is useless, but it's not really an idea to begin with. An idea that is worth discussing with others would typically include some minimal validation, an execution and marketing plan and, in general, some amount of thought put into it. Because otherwise it's not an idea, but a random brainf…
If this idea that needs protection can be fully described in just four words, what, in your opinion, has prevented the "established players" from coming up with this idea already?
Lack of lateral thinking skills? Not fully understanding niche segments on a larger market, segments that add up to something substantial? Plenty of reasons.