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Business Planning & Research - Boise Public Library

Business Research


 

Table of  Content

  1. Typical Business Questions from Entrepreneurs and Startups
  2. Tutorials for Business Research
  3. Business plans
  4. Business Classification
  5. Business Statistics and Industry Research
  6. Locating a Specific Business or Product
  7. Regulation and Compliance
  8. Free and For Fee Resources
  9. Print Resources List
  10. Doing Business @ your library handout: key databases & books at the Library

  1. Typical Business Questions from Entrepreneurs and Startups

  • What does a business plan include?
  • How do I find out about regulations, certifications, licenses, related to started my business?
  • What are the projected trends for my market niche?
  • What are the fastest growing industries in the Boise area?
  • What are the NAIC or SIC codes for a particular market?
  • Who are my competitors and how many are there in my geographic market area?
  • Who are my customers and what's their demographic profile?
  • What are some typical for sales, expenses, profit margins, etc. for similar businesses?
  • How do I identify a supplier for xyz product?
  • How to I locate a specific business or product?

 

  1. Tutorials for Business Research

The information on this page comes from a variety of free tutorials. I encourage you to visit them since this list does not include everything they offer.

  1. Business plans


    A business plan is not required but is strongly encouraged for all businesses whether they are seeking financial assistance or not.  A plan can:

    • Assist in acquiring funds from banks or other lending institutions or organizations to use for startup or expansion.
    • Assists owners with realistically preparing for the first few years of operations.  It is easier to anticipate future needs and keep the business focused if there is a business plan in place.
    • By creating a business plan the participant can evaluation whether their business concept is viable. By the time they have worked through all the sections they will have a very good idea about whether it will work or not.

Major Parts of a Business Plan include:

  • Executive Summary
  • Business Description
  • Market Analyses
  • Management Team
  • Operations
  • Critical Risks
  • Financial Projections
  • Appendix - supporting documentation, which is referenced in the plan, intellectual property documents, letters expressing interest or reviews of the product or service, resumes of key personnel promotional brochures, competitor price list or other information.

ONLINE RESOURCES: Databases

  • Encyclopedia of Associations, National (Gale)
    A comprehensive list of national organizations described briefly, with names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Associations keep track of industry data for their members and may have valuable information on an industry that would not be found in standard business sources.  Also available in print (see below)
     
  • First Research
    An invaluable resource for small business owners and job seekers. Over 800 in-depth industry profiles with industry trends, statistics, essential contacts and trade associations, updated every 90 days. No remote access. In-library use only.
     
  • Small Business Resource Center (Gale):
    Includes the 10 volume set of Business Plans Handbook, as well as information to help users learn how to start, finance or manage your small business. Resources include how to guides, association contacts, articles and websites.
     

ONLINE RESOURCES: Websites

PRINT RESOURCES

  • Business Plans Handbook: a compilation of actual business plans developed by small business throughout North America
    R OV 658.4012 BUSINES 1995 
     
  • Encyclopedia of Associations, Regional, National, International
    A comprehensive list of national organizations described briefly, with names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Associations keep track of industry data for their members and may have valuable information on an industry that would not be found in standard business sources.
    R OV 061 ENCYCLO 2005
     
  • Small Business Sourcebook
    Information designed to facilitate the start-up, development and growth of specific small businesses, as well as similar listings for general small business topics. Entries are provided on a state-by-state basis; also included are relevant U.S. federal government agencies and branch offices.  Part of the Small Business Resource Center database listed above.
    R OV 658.022 SMALL B 2005

Local Organizations that Provide Assistance

Use our online Small Business Resource Partners brochure [website or PDF brochure version] to locate contact information for organizations like SCORE, Idaho Small Business Development Center, the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Success Center and many others.

  1. Business Classification

Briefly, using a business classification number to do research about a particular type of business is more accurate than using something like Yellow Page headings. Most business research will require you know or determine the NAICS or SIC classification code. 

SIC, Standard Industrial Classification, is a system created in the 1930s, last revised in 1987.

NAICS, (rhymes with "brakes") North American Industry Classification System, was created in 1997, and has been revised in 2002 and 2007. It replaces SIC classification, which is still being used.

Both systems provide numbers to be assigned to a business based on the product or service the business provides. A business may have a PRIMARY code, as well as multiple SECONDARY codes.

There are several ways to determine what a businesses NAICS code might be. You can convert an SIC code into a NAICS code by using this Census web page: www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html

You can use this free web site www.naics.com and search by keyworld.

Or if you find an existing business that is in an industry you are researching you can use ReferenceUSA database to determine the NAICS and SIC codes. ReferenceUSA allows users to search by both NAICS and SIC codes, as well as, Yellow Page headings.

 

  1. Business Statistics and Industry Research
     

     

    ONLINE RESOURCES:  Databases
     

    • Encyclopedia of Associations, National (Gale)
      A comprehensive list of national organizations described briefly, with names, addresses, and telephone numbers. Associations keep track of industry data for their members and may have valuable information on an industry that would not be found in standard business sources. 
       
    • First Research
      An invaluable resource for business owners and job seekers. Over 700 in-depth industry profiles, updated every 90 days. No remote access (available onsite at all BPL locations).
       
    • ProQuest business databases:     

      ABI/INFORM Dateline (Funded by LiLI)
      Search a unique resource focusing on hard-to-find local and regional business news coverage of large corporations, privately held companies, local start-ups, executive profiles, marketing, finance, and industry news. Provides access to business information not typically found in national news sources. Contains news and analysis, information on local markets, and more gathered from major business tabloids, magazines, daily newspapers, wire services, and city, state, and regional business publications.   Coverage: 1985-current 

      ABI/INFORM Global (Funded by LiLI)
      Most scholarly and comprehensive way to explore and understand business research topics. Search nearly 3000 worldwide business periodicals for in-depth coverage of business and economic conditions, management techniques, theory, and practice of business, advertising, marketing, economics, human resources, finance, taxation, computers, and more. Expanded international coverage. Fast access to information on 60,000 + companies with business and executive profiles. Now includes The Wall Street Journal.  Coverage: 1971 - current 

      ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry  (Funded by LiLI)
      Search more than 1200 business periodicals with a trade or industry focus. Provides  the latest industry news, product and competitive information, marketing trends, and a wide variety of other topics. Contains publications on every major industry, including finance, insurance, transportation, construction, and many more. Coverage: 1971 - current 

      Hoover's Company Records (Funded by LiLI)
      Up to date proprietary editorial content covering more than 40,000 public and non-public companies, 600 industries, and 225,000 key executives. Profiles include: company overview, history, competitors, rankings, financials and more.

      Snapshot Series  (Funded by LiLI)
      The Snapshot International Group Series of 4,600 reports is designed to provide an instant overview of a market. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis.

      Other ProQuest Business Databases (Funded by LiLI)
      Accounting and Tax Periodicals, Asian Business and Reference, Banking Information Source, Computing, and Telecommunications.
       

    • ReferenceUSA
      We have both a the Business and Residential module.  You can search by business name or create a custom search based on your criteria, which can include geographic location business size based on sales or employees, and many other criteria.
       
    • Small Business Resource Center (Gale)
      Learn how to start, finance or manage your small business. Resources include sample business plans, how to guides, association contacts, articles and websites.
       

    • Stat-USA
      A service of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, it is THE site for the U.S. business, economic, and trade community. Provides authoritative information from the Federal government. Includes Globus and NTDB (National Trade Data Bank). http://www.stat-usa.gov/  No remote access - requires user name and password to log on. Ask a librarian for access.
       

    ONLINE RESOURCES: Websites with local and regional statistics
     

    • BizStats - www.bizstats.com
      Another source for industry financial ratios.  They also link to reports at BizMiner.com which are for a fee.
       
    • Boise Valley Economic Partnership  www.bvep.org
      Find packaged demographic and statistical reports on various segments of the Boise valley population and business community Also see the Business Assistance Resource Guide www.bvep.org/business-assistance.aspx  - multiple categories to choose from, including Demographic Data, and they all provide links to other resources.
       
    • Boise Valley Prospector (sponsored by BVEP) http://www.boisevalleyprospector.com/
      Created to assist with locating available real estate property for business. Find 3 packaged reports for both Ada and Canyon counties, located in the last category "Community Profiles" on the bottom left. 
      Reports are Demographic Report, Consumer Expenditures, Business and Workforce.
       
    • EconData.Net: Your Guide to Regional Economic Data on the Web http://econdata.net
      A portal page to free database resource.
       
    • ESRI - Community Tapestry  http://www.esri.com/data/esri_data/tapestry.html
      ESRI's market segmentation system, classifies U.S. neighborhoods into 65 segments based on their socioeconomic and demographic composition. Segmentation explains customer diversity, describes lifestyles and life stages, and incorporates a wide range of data such as demographic, business, and market potential data. Search by zip code for a free overview.
       
    • Northwest Area Foundation  http://www.indicators.nwaf.org/
      This website is a source of information on states, counties, and selected communities, reservations and tribes in the Northwest Area Foundation's eight state region (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa). Find the most recent indicators on local population characteristics, economic well-being, health and more.
       
    • State and Metropolitan Data Book 2006
      http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/smadb.html
      The State and Metropolitan Area Data Book features more than 1,500 data items for the United States and individual states, counties and metropolitan areas from a variety of sources. Information in the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book covers the following topical areas: age, agriculture, births, business establishments, communications, construction, cost of living, crime, deaths, education, elections, employment, energy, finance, government, health, households, housing, immigration, income, manufactures, marriages and divorces, media, natural resources, population, poverty, race and Hispanic origin, residence, retail sales, science and engineering, social services, tourism, transportation, and veterans.
       
    • State of the Cities Data System  http://socds.huduser.org/
      Another source for retrieving a wide range of government statistics include, crime, employment, building permits, populations and more. It is database driven - the user selects the criteria and geographic location for produce a grid or chart with the appropriate data.

    Indicators  

    ONLINE RESOURCES: Websites for Industry Research
     

    ONLINE RESOURCES: Websites from the Federal government
     

    • Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industries at a Glance http://www.bls.gov/iag/home.htm
      Industry statistics and trends from an employment perspective. Provides a "snapshot" of national data quick overviews. Summaries from 12 major economic "supersectors".
       

    • Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/
      The Census Bureau is THE authority for all things statistical.  Some resources that relate specifically to business are:
       

      1. Building Permits Data  http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml
        Building permit statistics on new residential and nonresidential construction for individual municipalities. Updated monthly.
         
      2. Business & Industry portal page http://www.census.gov/econ/www/index.html
        Includes Survey of Business Owners, Statistics of U.S. Businesses, etc.
         

      3. County Business Patterns http://www.census.gov/epcd/cbp/view/cbpview.html
        County Business Patterns (CBP) produced by the U.S. Census Bureau "is an annual series that provides subnational economic data by industry."  The "series is useful for studying the economic activity of small areas; analyzing economic changes over time; and as a benchmark for statistical series, surveys, and databases between economic censuses."
        The CBP allows the entrepreneur to analyze local business establishments. Think of the CBP as a business establishment counterpart to the population census analysis of families and individuals. "Establishments" are not necessarily stand-alone companies, but more often "outlets" for franchises. No names of franchises, however, appear in the tables.  Although the CBP series began in 1946, only the last 15 years currently appear on-line. 
        The series provides data on the following for all counties in the United States and the District of Columbia:

        • total number of establishments

        • mid-March employment, first quarter and annual payroll

        • number of establishments by nine employment-size classes by detailed industry
           

      4. County Business Patterns tutorial http://www.webjunction.org/359
         

      5. Economic Census 
        Conducted every 5 years on the years ending in 2 and 7, and while it takes several years for collected data to be tabulated and released, the census is a good and fairly recent indicator of economic activity in the United States.  Beginning with the 1997 Economic Census can be found online at http://www.census.gov/ . Select the "Business & Industry" heading, or select American FactFinder in left menu to access data. (Not all 2007 statistical data has been released - much of the info is from 2002.)

      6. Local Employment Dynamics (LED) http://lehd.did.census.gov/led/led/led.html
        A new tool, which exists as a partnership between the Census Bureau and many state labor market information agencies. LED supplies statistics on employment, job creation, turnover, and earnings by industry, age and sex. It is an excellent tool that shows where people live and where they work, and this information is helpful for city and transportation planners, businesses, policy-makers, and others.
         

      7. Manufacturing, Mining and Construction Statistics http://www.census.gov/mcd/
        Notice the Construction section on this page.  This is what may be most useful for our types of questions we get.  Under the New Residential Construction link is a database for Building Permits which can drill down to county and place (like Boise). Also statistics for housing Starts and housing completions.
         

      8. State and Metropolitan Data Book 2006
        http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/smadb.htm
        The State and Metropolitan Area Data Book features more than 1,500 data items for the United States and individual states, counties and metropolitan areas from a variety of sources. Information in the State and Metropolitan Area Data Book covers the following topical areas: age, agriculture, births, business establishments, communications, construction, cost of living, crime, deaths, education, elections, employment, energy, finance, government, health, households, housing, immigration, income, manufactures, marriages and divorces, media, natural resources, population, poverty, race and Hispanic origin, residence, retail sales, science and engineering, social services, tourism, transportation, and veterans.
         

      9. USA Counties http://censtats.census.gov/usa/usa.shtml  features over 6,000 data items for the United States as a whole and individual states and counties from a variety of sources. Files include data published for 2007 estimates and many items from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, the 1990 census, the 1980 census and the 2002, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1982 and 1977 economic censuses.
         

    • FedStats http://www.fedstats.gov/
      FedStats provides access to the full range of official statistical information produced by the Federal Government without having to know in advance which Federal agency produces which particular statistic. With convenient searching and linking capablilties to more than 100 agencies, FedStats links to the full breadth of Federal statistical information. You can go through the topic links A-Z to find small business, and this will include economic indicators, establishments & employees, state profiles, and the full text of The Small Business Economy.

     

    • SBA's Office of Advocacy Research and Statistics, Office of Economic Research http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/
      This is a one-stop shop for business statistics and an excellent jumping-off point to information about business performance and reports about the state of business.
       

    PRINT RESOURCES
     

    • Almanac of Business & Industry Financial Ratios 2009 - more detailed info than Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios but  still not as complex as our book RMA Annual Statement Studies.  Organized by NAICS codes. (View sample page)
      R 338.5 ALMANAC 2009 (Ready Reference)
       
    • Business Reference Guide: for anyone involved in analyzing, valuing or selling a business - designed for valuing a business, provides pricing data for over 500 specific business types. A copy is also available in the Chamber small business library (3rd floor).
      R 338.71 BUSINES 2008 (Ready Reference)

      Most entries include the following and more:

      * Benchmark information that provides comparison data
      * Amount of Competition
      * Marketability
      * Amount of Risk
      * Industry Trend
      * Historical Profit Trend
      * Ease of Replication
      * Location and Facilities
      * Industry Resources such as Associations and Publications with Web sites
      * General Information providing industry data, surveys, and comments
      * Fascinating facts about many different businesses and industries

       

    • Editor & publisher market guide 
      Contains data on communities with daily newspapers. Ranks MSA's and top cities and counties by cost of living, disposable income, electronics/appliance sales, etc. Profiles communities and gives census figures on population, age and ethnicity and population projections. Last section profiles Canadian communities.
      R 658.8 EDITOR 2005

     

    • Encyclopedia of Associations
      The only comprehensive source for detailed information on more than 22,500 nonprofit American membership organizations of national scope. Every entry offers a wealth of valuable data, typically including the organization's complete name, address and phone number together with the primary official's name and title; fax number, when available; founding date, purpose, activities and dues; national and international conferences; and more. R OV 061 ENCYCLO 2008 (Ready Reference - 3 volumes)

       

    • Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios
      http://kbr.dnb.com/login/KBRHome.asp  (Dun & Bradstreet publication) - provides information similar to RMA Annual Statement Studies but people often find the it easier to understand and use. Organized by SIC codes.
      Available at Albertsons Library, Boise State
      , Ref HF5681.R25 I53, latest 4 years are in the Reference Collection  (View sample page)

      * Key Business Ratios measure the relationship between financial values in a company's balance sheet and income statement. They offer a way to evaluate the performance and stability of a business when you're looking to:

      * Industry Norms for these ratios provide a side-by-side comparison of a business with it's industry peers. These norms can help you spot important trends, identify strengths and weaknesses, or serve as a benchmark for evaluating company risk.

    • Lifestyle Market Analyst  (SRDS)
      This guide is designed as a "reference source for anyone doing preliminary market analysis at the local, regional, or national level". It includes lifestyle information on interests, hobbies, and popular activities in each geographic and demographic market. 
      R 658.834 LIFESTY 2006

       
    • RMA Annual Statement Studies (use for financial/business ratios)
      Contains composite financial data on manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, service, and contracting lines of business.  Use it to compare one company's performance relative to other companies in the same business line. Organized NAICS codes
      R 338.5 RMA Ann
       
    • Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics
      Profiles zip codes using over 70 variables in the areas of population change & composition and income & spending potential. Profiles include projections, updates and forecasts. Separate sections give the predominant industry for each zip code and the dominant consumer group in each zip code.
      R 317.3 Communi 2006

       
    • Survey of Buying Power
      Sales & Marketing Management
      's annual Survey of Buying Power provides data to help analyze U.S. markets, whether they're cities, counties, CBSAs, DMAs, or states.
      R 658.84 Sa 32 2005 
       
    • Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys - R 332.67 STANDAR  Published semi annually. From the S&P website http://sandp.ecnext.com/coms2/page_industry?referid=IShomeIS :
      " Includes players and events impacting over fifty (50) of the largest North American and global industries. 
      Each report is authored by a Standard & Poor's industry research analyst and includes the following sections: Current Environment, Industry Trends, How the Industry Operates, Key Industry Ratios and Statistics, How to Analyze a Company, Glossary of Industry Terms, Additional Industry Information References and Comparative Company Financial Analysis."

      Sample industry survey: http://www2.standardandpoors.com/spf/pdf/media/TelecomsWireless.pdf
       
    • Value Line Investment Survey - R OV 332.6305 VALUE L RATINGS (2nd floor investment table)
      Rating service for equities also includes one page industry overviews from a investor perspective. Covers approximately 90 industries, which are updated quarterly.
  1. Locating a Specific Business or Product

  1. ReferenceUSA database - for companies and individuals

  2. Idaho Business Records Search (Idaho Secretary of State) http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corp/corindex.htm

  3. Thomas Directory of manufacturers - www.thomasnet.com

  4. Hoovers company information - www.Hoovers.com 

  5. Manta Company Profiles & Company Information - www.manta.com

  6. Domain directories: www.betterwhois.com (find company contact information)

  7. US Patent and Trademark Office - www.uspto.gov (use it to find ownership and trademarks/brands)
     

  1. Regulations and Compliance

What needs to be filed before starting a business?  Use the web sites below to find state and federal licensing and regulatory requirements.

Idaho State Online Resources

Idaho Business Portal
http://business.idaho.gov/

Find the popular "How to Start a Business in Idaho" publication and well as information about relocating or closing a business.  Many links to online business services and licensing.

Idaho Jobs and Labor
http://www.idaho.gov/job_labor/

Idaho Department of Labor
http://labor.idaho.gov/

Idaho Secretary of State - Business Entities
http://www.sos.idaho.gov/corp/corindex.htm

Find all the necessary information and forms to start your business.

Idaho Small Business Solutions Business Wizard
http://www.idahobizhelp.org/default.htm

New to business or to Idaho? Start with the Business Wizard. It will give you a customized Checklist of local, state, and federal taxes and regulations that affect your business. You will also find information on licenses and permits that you might need, as well as information on registering your business in Idaho.

The Resource Wizard will give you a customized Checklist of funding and other business development resources in your area.

Federal Online Resources

Some of the featured sites from the WebJunction Regulations and Compliance page. Visit the page for a complete list.

Business.gov
http://www.business.gov

Business.gov, the official business link to the U.S. Government, is managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) in a partnership with 21 other federal agencies. This partnership, known as Business Gateway, is a Presidential E-government initiative that provides a single access point to government services and information to help the nation's businesses with their operations. Business.gov helps businesses save time and money spent on regulatory compliance by providing quick and easy access to business laws, government regulations, forms and agency contacts. The site includes forms, contacts, posters, and even links to state agencies, as appropriate.

USA.gov
http://www.usa.gov/

Has a section for business and nonprofits, including getting employer ID number, export license, state business license, sections for special situations (vets in business, minority businesses, self-employed), business forms (forms.gov), and workplace posters.  

Regulations.gov
http://www.regulations.gov

Regulations.gov, the public face of the U.S. government's erulemaking initiative, facilitates public participation in the federal regulatory process by improving the public's ability to find, view, and comment on federal regulatory actions. Businesses can visit Regulations.gov to view notices and make comments about proposed federal regulations.  

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
http://www.ftc.gov/

The Federal Trade Commission's motto is "Protecting America's Consumers" and the agency provides a great deal of information about regulations in the areas where businesses and their products interact with consumers. Warranties, product labels, energy stickers, anti-trust laws, and more fall under their umbrella.

Explore this FTC page http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/business.shtm  for business to learn what are appropriate business practices, information about telemarketing and direct marketing, franchises and business opportunities, ecommerce and more.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)http://www.osha.gov

OSHA is the main federal agency charged with the enforcement of safety and health legislation in the workplace. They encourage small businesses to find and fix hazards to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses, and they assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards, providing training, outreach, and education, establishing partnerships, and encouraging process improvement in workplace safety affairs. They function with state partners to keep workplaces in conformity with standards. OSHA is one program administered by the US Department of Labor (see below).

Other OSHA pages of note:

US Dept. of Labor

http://www.dol.gov/

The Department of Labor fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees of the United States by improving their working conditions, advancing their opportunities for profitable employment, protecting their retirement and health care benefits, helping employers find workers, strengthening free collective bargaining, and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, the Department administers a variety of Federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers' rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support.

 
  1. Free Resources and For Fee Resources

          Free Resources

NOTE: The James J. Hill Reference Library is a private non-profit business reference library, located in Saint Paul, MN. Since 1921, the Hill Library has housed a world-class collection of practical business information resources and is considered one of the most comprehensive business libraries in the country.
For Fee Resources

         
          Fee or Licensed Research Databases:

  • Business Source Premier - EBSCO product at Albertson's Library/Boise State
    Largest full-text collection of scholarly business and trade journals in the world. Coverage: 1965 to present. Key Content: 8,600 journals, market and industry reports, country reports, SWOT analyses.
     

  • Dialog Select - http://www.dialog.com/products/dialogselect/
    Use "OpenAccess" to search with simple interface and pay by credit card.
     

  • Factiva www.factiva.com
    Current and in-depth business news.  Merged with Dow Jones. Read brochure.
     

  • Fintel Industry Metrics - http://www.fintel.us/products/IndustryMetrics.html
    A database containing financial ratios for small, medium, or large companies, by industry. It provides business owners with a benchmark to compare their business's financial health with industry averages. (Available through J.J. Hill)
     
  • Hoovers.com www.hoovers.com Brief reports on more than 13,500 public and private companies. Proprietary portion of free Hoover's website. Key Content: Quick facts about major public and private companies.
     

  • LexisNexis Statistical - at Albertson's Library/Boise State
     

  • MarketResearch.com - www.marketresearch.com  An aggregator of commercial  market research reports from a wide variety of well known US and European research companies, as well as reports published by MarketResearch.com.  Can find information "by the slice" without having to buy the whole report.
     

  • Mindbranch - www.mindbranch.com  Another aggregator of commercial  market research reports.  Offers reports from fewer publishers than MarketResearch.com.
     

  • Plunkett Research Online  http://www.plunkettresearch.com/
     

  • RDS TableBase  Cengage/Gale http://www.gale.cengage.com/rds/index.htm
     

  • Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage – at Albertson's Library/Boise State

 

  1. Print Resources List: Titles Mentioned in the "Business Research @ your library" guide

  • Brands and Their Companies
    This source lists manufacturers and distributors from small businesses to large corporations, from both the public and private sectors, offering complete coverage of more than 426,000 U.S. consumer brands; 115,000 manufacturers, importers or distributors; and companies that are out of business as well as brands that are no longer in production or are now considered generic.
    R OV 658.8 BRANDS (Ready Reference)
  • RMA Annual Statement Studies
    Contains composite financial data on manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, service, and contracting lines of business. Arranged by SIC code, use it to compare one company's performance relative to other companies in the same business line.

    R 338.5 RMA Ann
  • Small Business Sourcebook
    Information designed to facilitate the start-up, development and growth of specific small businesses, as well as similar listings for general small business topics. Entries are provided on a state-by-state basis; also included are relevant U.S. federal government agencies and branch offices. NOTE: also part of the Gale "Small Business Resource Center" database
    R OV 658.022 SMALL B 2005
     
  • Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics
    Profiles zip codes using over 70 variables in the areas of population change & composition and income & spending potential. Profiles include projections, updates and forecasts. Separate sections give the predominant industry for each zip code and the dominant consumer group in each zip code.
    R 317.3 Communi 2006
     
  • Standard and Poor's Industry Surveys
    Published semi annually. From the S&P website http://sandp.ecnext.com/coms2/page_industry?referid=IShomeIS :
    " Includes players and events impacting over fifty (50) of the largest North American and global industries. 
    Each report is authored by a Standard & Poor's industry research analyst and includes the following sections: Current Environment, Industry Trends, How the Industry Operates, Key Industry Ratios and Statistics, How to Analyze a Company, Glossary of Industry Terms, Additional Industry Information References and Comparative Company Financial Analysis."
    Sample industry survey: http://www2.standardandpoors.com/spf/pdf/media/TelecomsWireless.pdf

    R 332.67 STANDAR
     
  • Successful Business Research: Straight to the Numbers You Need--Fast!
    By popular author Rhonda Abrams. Learn how to find
    critical numbers for you business startup or research: market size and growth rate, how much business a competitor is doing, sales numbers for products, and more. This book provides "roadmaps to the numbers people need now, it reveals how to find Internet sites with (usually free) data, how to navigate them quickly and thoroughly, and then how to interpret and use the data found." For entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and business school students
    338.0072 ABRAMS 2006 - also in the Reference collection under the same call number.
     
  • Survey of Buying Power
    Sales & Marketing Management's
    annual Survey of Buying Power provides data to help analyze U.S. markets, whether they're cities, counties, CBSAs, DMAs, or states.
    R 658.84 Sa 32 2005
     
  • Value Line Investment Survey
    Rating service for equities also includes one page industry overviews from a investor perspective. Covers approximately 90 industries, which are updated quarterly.
    R OV 332.6305 VALUE L RATINGS (2nd floor investment table)
     
  • Ward's business directory of U.S. private and public companies
    Lists more than 112,000 companies, 90% of which are private. Volumes 1, 2 and 3 provide current company information in a single A-Z arrangement. Volume 4 is a geographic company listing, offering at-a-glance evaluations of industry activity through rankings and analysis. Consult Volume 5 for national rankings by sales within SIC codes at the 4-digit level; Volume 8 presents these rankings by NAICS codes. Volumes 6 and 7 rank companies in each state by sales within 4-digit SIC codes and provide brief evaluations of industry activity of leading companies for each state
    R OV 338.7402 WARDS 2008 SUPPL  (Ready Reference) 

 

 

Last Updated:01/26/2010 Author:grr

 
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