DISQUS

Union Square Ventures: Cliche of The Week

  • Zoli Erdos · 4 years ago

    A funny coincidence that in my reader your post is followed by this:

    http://www.blogherald.com/2005/12/07/pajamas-ac...>

    So: Open the kimono... Drop the Pajamas:-)

    What a way to start a day!

  • Chet Geschickter · 4 years ago

    Thanks for the post - good ground to cover. I'll remember to wear my belt with my kimono next time I'm talking to a VC ;-)



    I get the part about being careful of VC's doing due diligence and about big industry players and their propensity to read whiteboards (and the potential intellectual property risks that result). But a mutual NDA with an injunctive relief clause seems to be an effective instrument. Yes/no?



    My real question is this: when recruiting prospective employees and suppliers, how do you balance the need to protect your idea(s) with the need to disclose and promote your idea(s)? It seems like NDA's are not the right vehicle for this. Any comments?

  • Ed Costello · 4 years ago

    The phrase was also popular at IBM ...this is from the 1990 IBM Jargon Dictionary by Mike Cowlishaw:



    to go open kimono 1. v. To reveal everything to

    someone. Once you have gone open kimono, you

    have nothing more to hide. (This is the more

    common sense.) 2. v. To give someone a tantalising

    glimpse of a project (i.e., enough to get him interested

    but not enough to give any secrets away).

    [This is an interesting example of the same jargon

    having two rather different meanings. This may,

    and does, cause amusing misunderstandings at

    times.]



    http://www.comlay.net/ibmjarg.pdf

  • Kevin Burton · 4 years ago

    You know...... I have to admit that thinking about it for a while it is a bit offensive.



    I'm trying to think what an American male would find equally offensive but I lack imagination on the subject.

  • Stanley E. Roberts · 3 years ago

    I have been saying that all along, becareful what you show someone they may just go Frankenstien on you, and the next thing you know your technology is available everywhere for free!!

  • Mike Flacklestein · 3 years ago

    I live at 82317 Commonwealth in Seattle. Been up here before?