Business Plan Workshop: Researching Business Databases SIBL (Science Industry and Business Library) & NYC VE

Agenda Welcome & Introductions Part I: Researching business databases   Part II: Sharing research about Gotham Enterprises Part III: Hands-on activity - Student research Part IV: Assessing the economic environment Recap/Q&A

Researching business databases (SIBL) Introduction to the library: Library card Catalog Holds and borrowing Help with research What is a sector/industry report? Library’s databases with information on sector/industry reports: How to get to the databases menu Home and off-site access Demonstration of sample searches/functionality Saving searches

Sharing research about Gotham Enterprises (NYC VE) Business Plan Competition Rubric External Environment Current economic conditions: A “snapshot” of the economic environment that may include information such as employment levels, interest rates, rate of inflation/deflation, rate of change of GDP, balance of trade, exchange rates, and/or any other information you think is appropriate. Industry analysis – real & virtual. Real: Demonstrate an understanding of the real world industry by providing information about size, profitability, current challenges, competitive pressures, etc. Virtual: Provide evidence that research was done to obtain information about the status of this industry in the virtual economy, i.e, # of competitors, profitability, expected demand, financial condition of prospective customers, etc. Competitive analysis: Identification and examination of characteristics of competing firms in the virtual marketplace. (If there are no direct competitors, analysis of indirect competitors.)   20%

Sharing research about Gotham Enterprises (NYC VE) Review of the Office Supplies industry report Kinds of information to look for in the industry reports Industry Overview Competitive Landscape Products Operations Sales & Marketing Customers, sales channels, marketing, and pricing Finance Sales, inventories, profit rate, and labor intensity Technology International Insights Regional Highlights Human Resources Industry Growth Rate Industry Indicators Industry Forecast Industry Drivers Critical Issues Business Challenges Trends Industry Opportunities

Hands-on activity - Student research Research databases to find information relevant to your VE firm’s real-world industry Share out the results of your research

Assessing the economic environment (NYC VE) Business Plan Competition Rubric External Environment Current economic conditions: A “snapshot” of the economic environment that may include information such as employment levels, interest rates, rate of inflation/deflation, rate of change of GDP, balance of trade, exchange rates, and/or any other information you think is appropriate. Industry analysis – real & virtual. Real: Demonstrate an understanding of the real world industry by providing information about size, profitability, current challenges, competitive pressures, etc. Virtual: Provide evidence that research was done to obtain information about the status of this industry in the virtual economy, i.e, # of competitors, profitability, expected demand, financial condition of prospective customers, etc. Competitive analysis: Identification and examination of characteristics of competing firms in the virtual marketplace. (If there are no direct competitors, analysis of indirect competitors.)   20%

Assessing the economic environment (NYC VE) Review of the framework to assess the economic environment “There is nothing more fundamental about an economy’s performance, than whether human needs are being met. An economy functions well when we produce the goods and services we need to stay alive and get the most out of life. Evaluation of economic performance depends on subjective criteria(s) that different individuals, classes, and communities choose.” Jim Stanford, Canadian Progressive Economist

Assessing the economic environment (NYC VE) How to apply this framework to meet the requirements of the business plan competition Some other measures to consider: GDP GDP Growth Rate GDP per Capita GDP per Capita Growth Rate Unemployment Rate Labor Participation Rate Life Expectancy at Birth Infant Mortality Rate Mean Years of Schooling Adult Literacy Rate Primary School Enrollment Secondary School Enrollment Greenhouse Gas Emissions Healthcare Expenditure Income Inequality Relative Poverty Levels Happy Planet Index Human Development Index

Recap and Q&A Any comments or questions?