January 2015 C.B. “Bud” Johnston Library

 Business plans  Company research ◦ Competitors ◦ Non-profits ◦ Manufacturers, suppliers, distributors  Market research ◦ Supporting your idea  Statistics ◦ Demographics, financial performance data  Legalities ◦ Copyright, Patents  Advertising ◦ Successful campaigns, Costs  Citing & Writing

Managing Expectations 1.Why would this information be collected? Who, what? 2.Would it be published? Why, when? 3.Remember to look outside the box – search for broader categories rather than just a niche market

Business Plans See how others have started their businesses. Library Catalogue  Title: Business Plans Handbook 26 volumes of business plans Businesses from all industries types Library Catalogue  Title: Business Plans Handbook 26 volumes of business plans Businesses from all industries types For costing out your business – use Financial Performance Data

The Competition Identify who is in the industry. PublicCompanies Thomson One Capital IQFactivaBloomberg Mergent Online MarketLine Analyst Reports Screening

Private or Subsidiary Sources PrivCo Lexis Nexis Academic Company Dossier D&B Million Dollar Database Angel Investing Venture Capital

Non-Profit & NGO Sources Imagine Canada Foundation Center Canada Revenue Grant Connect

Manufacturers & Suppliers Encyclopedia of Products & Industries Mergent Online – Horizon tab Frasers

Market Research Determine successful means by which you can identify, attract, and convince your customers Mintel + Mintel GMN eMarketer MarketLinePassport Print Measurement Bureau IBIS WorldStatista

The Customer – By the numbers Find data on demographics, household spending habits by geographic regions Statistics Canada National Household Survey Statista Western Facts

Legalities Copyright Patents Canadian Intellectual Property Office Scopus LexisNexis

Advertising Discover successful advertising strategies from other companies including costs. CARDWARC Articles SRDS

Dotting the “i”s and Crossing the “t”s Use the library CITATION guide Assess your sources  Are they Relevant, Reputable, Accurate, Unbiased, Current  Google may not be unbiased or reliable Explore the resources available to you via the librarythe library  Chat with us for help!!

Writing Help Writing Support Centre Student Development Centre Room Sign up for an appointment – call hour-long One-on-one meeting with a writing counselor  Chat with us for help!!

Mine the expertise of the library staff Hands on practice We are here to help you – please ask if you need assistance! Thank you!