BRIE Assessment

BRIE Self-Assessment Checklist

The BIRE (boundary-resources-intention-exchange) model is a proven and handy way to think about the activities necessary to get a business started. The complete list of BRIE activities is given in the following table. Look at the BRIE list and check off actions you’ve taken already.

Boundary-Creating a place for your business in space and in people’s minds

Number of boundary actions done

Opening a bank account for the business

Registering the business name with the state

Creating business cards and/or stationery

Purchasing a domain name

Creating a business web site

Obtaining a business telephone line

Identifying a place for the business at home or elsewhere

Resources-the things that make up the business, like money products, knowledge, etc.

Number of resource actions done

Organizing a start-up team

Obtaining copyright, patents, trademarks

Purchasing raw materials, inventory, supplies

Acquiring major items (equipment, facilities, property)

Hiring employees and managers (who do not share ownership)

Participation in classes or workshops on starting a business (If you are taking a small business course, you can check this item.)

Participation in programs that help new businesses get established like SIFE, CEO or SBIDA

Intention-demonstrating a determination to get the business going and for it to be successful

Number of Intention actions taken

Thinking about the business

Undertaking marketing and promotional efforts

Developing you product or service

Beginning your full-time commitment to the business (> 35 hrs/wk)

Preparing a business plan

Defining market opportunities

Developing projected financial statements

Exchange-making investments in and sales from the business

Number of exchange actions done

Generating sales revenue

Establishing credit with a supplier

Saving money to invest in the business

Investing money in the business

Seeking funds from financial institutions or others

Seeking funds from spouse or household partner

Seeking funds from current employer

The scoring is straightforward. At a minimum you need to have taken at least one action in each of the BRIE categories to successfully start and grow a business. Business survival rates increase with the number of items checked across the different categories. So people who can check three or four items in each BRIE category are more likely to have surviving and growing firms than those who check only one item per category. Having a BRIE category with nothing checked indicates that it is likely that something major is being overlooked, so the business is likely to fail. It is also important to balance BRIE activities. For example, having lots of boundary activities done and only a few exchange ones it likely to lead to an unbalanced approach to business and a lesser chance of survival.