The BRIE (boundary-resources-intention-exchange) model is a proven and handy way to think about the
activities necessary to get a business started. It also is a model that will come up again in later chapters
of the book. At this point in the course, how many of the items have you done so far to get your business
started the right way?
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. Next to each item are parentheses which tell you in which chapter that topic is
covered, in case you want to skip ahead to see how we suggest you do it. This exercise can help you think
through which chapters are most important to your preparing your business.
The list can also be scored as a checklist. Go through the list and check off which items you have already
done in starting a business. Then write in the first column how many of each BRIE category you've done so
far. Once you are done, you can see how to score the BRIE checklist at the end of the Skill Module.
BRIE Checklist
Done
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 (Ch. 14)
Registering the business name with the state (Ch.18)
Creating business cards and/or stationery (Ch. 10)
Purchasing a domain name (Ch.11)
Creating a business Web site (Ch. 11)
Obtaining a business telephone line
Identifying a place for the business at home or elsewhere (Ch. 11)
Resources—the things that make up the business, like money, products, knowledge, etc.
Number of resource actions done
Organizing a start-up team (Ch. 19)
Obtaining copyright, patents, trademarks (Ch. 18)
Purchasing raw materials, inventory, supplies (Ch. 16)
Acquiring major items (equipment, facilities, property) (Ch. 16)
Hiring employees and managers (who do not share ownership) (Ch. 19)
Participating in classes or workshops on starting a business (If you are taking a small business course, you can check this item.)
Participating in programs that help new businesses get established like SIFE, CEO or SBIDA (on Web site)
Intention—demonstrating a determination to get the business going and for it to be successful
Number of intention actions taken:
Thinking about the business (Ch. 4, 5 & 6)
Undertaking marketing and promotional efforts (Ch. 7 & 10)
Developing your product or service (Ch. 4 & 9)
Beginning your full-time commitment to the business (> 35 hrs/wk)
Exchange—making investments in and sales from the business
Number of exchange actions done
Generating sales revenue (Ch. 10)
Arranging child care to work on business
Establishing credit with a supplier (Ch. 15)
Saving money to invest in the business (Ch. 13 & 15)
Investing money in the business (Ch. 15)
Seeking funds from financial institutions or others (Ch. 15)
Seeking funds from spouse or household partner (Ch. 15)
Seeking funds from current employer (Ch. 15)
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 is likely to lead to an unbalanced approach to
business and a lesser chance of survival.
