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.