Free Tool

Before you write a business plan, check whether the idea is ready for one.

The BRICK — Business Readiness and Idea Clarity Kit

Most early business ideas don't fail because the owner lacked a template. They fail because the basics were still unclear — who pays, why they buy, what it costs, what could break, and what needed proven before money was committed.

Complete the BRICK online → Download the PDF instead

12 questions · 15 minutes · Free · No email required for the PDF

What the BRICK covers

12 questions across four checkpoints. Score each one honestly on 0–2. The low scores are the useful part.

Checkpoint 1

Idea clarity

What are you offering, who buys it, and what problem does it solve that is serious enough to pay for?

Checkpoint 2

Demand & difference

What would people do without your idea, why would they choose yours, and what proof of demand exists?

Checkpoint 3

Money logic

How does money come in, what are the rough costs, and what is the minimum income needed for this to make sense?

Checkpoint 4

Risk & delivery

What could break the idea, what does it require of you weekly, and what must be proven before committing money?


Who it's for

Anyone about to spend money, sign something, or apply for funding on an idea that has not been fully stress-tested yet.

Founders

New ideas, early ventures, or side projects that could become something — before a business plan gets written.

Small businesses & trades

New services, expansion decisions, premises choices, or equipment spend that needs checking before committing.

Local organisations

Community projects, funding applications, and launch decisions where clarity before commitment matters most.


What your score shows

The point is not a perfect score. The point is knowing what the idea needs next.

0–8

Not ready yet. Do not write a business plan. Define the idea first.

9–15

Needs evidence. Test demand, costs, capacity, or risk before planning.

16–20

Ready for assessment. A Pre-Build Business Assessment would expose what holds and what does not.

21–24

Ready to build. The idea has enough structure for a Business Build Pack after a review session.

If your score shows gaps, that is useful information.

A low score does not mean the idea is bad. It usually means the customer is unclear, the numbers are too rough, or the evidence is not strong enough yet. That is exactly what a 20-minute Fit Call is for — bring your score and your three weakest answers.

Complete the BRICK online → Book a 20-min Fit Call

No pitch. No obligation. Just a clear conversation about what the idea needs next.