C. The Evolution of a Business

Before we get started it’s helpful to understand the stages between a concept and a functioning business. Although people use these terms in many different ways, for the purposes of BOSS the stages of a business are:

• Concept = and idea about a solution to a problem that can be provided by a business
• Startup = a temporary phase where a person or organization is committed to testing a concept and developing it into a sustainable business
• Enterprise= a person or organization offering a product and/or service (a solution to a problem) that has a way to get paid and has people willing to pay for what is offered
• Business= an organization which offers products and/or services systematically and is not dependent on any one individual to continue.

Now that we have defined these terms, which stage describes your situation?

BOSS is intentionally focused on concepts and startups, although established businesses can still benefit from the BOSS process, particularly if you are looking to reassess direction or franchise your business.  Knowing which stage you are in will help you navigate the remainder of the program.