Getting Started:
This guide will assist in conducting research around different aspects (i.e., industry, competitors, concept, consumers, and operations) of a business plan. The resources listed in the "Getting Started" box provide examples of business plans, a high-level overview of the planning process, and advice on how-to develop each aspect of your plan. If you have questions about the resources or strategies in this guide or need further assistance, contact the Business/SPEA Information Commons, schedule a research consultation, or use the "Get Help" widget in this guide.
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Business Plans Handbook A Compilation of Business Plans Developed by Individuals Throughout North AmericaISBN: 9781410328212Publication Date: 2017
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The Business Planning Guide Creating a Winning Plan for Success byISBN: 079315409XPublication Date: 2002
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Small Business Source
Full text consumer small business reference books, as well as tools and instructions to address a range of small business topics. Also includes business videos, a help and advice section, and information on how to create business plans.
Industry or Market:
Identifying the NAICS or SIC industry classification code can assist in accessing industry and company information.
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IBISWorldComprehensive U.S. and global industry reports that identify market size/share, trends, outlook, major competitors, and operating conditions.
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Passport GMID: Global Market Information DatabaseComprehensive consumer, industrial, and service market reports for 235 countries that provide trends, growth, and detailed forecast data.
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ABI/INFORM CollectionFurther research information identified in IBISWorld and/or Passport GMID reports using the business literature searchable in this database. Can also assist with investigating more granular aspects of an industry not represented in a larger report.
Competitors:
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PrivCoDetailed financial information for private competitors. Individual registration with an IU e-mail account is required to access this resource.
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MarketLine AdvantageCompany analysis reports for competitors that include history, SWOT, and revenue analysis.
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ABI/INFORM CollectionFurther research information identified in Mergent/PrivCo and MarketLine reports using the business literature searchable in this database. Useful for finding case studies and details about competitors' strategic activities.
Business Concept, Products or Services:
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Mintel ReportsProvides information about consumer behavior and use of products/services and company-specific offerings.
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ABI/INFORM CollectionProvides news, industry, and scholarly articles that relay general information about business structure or detailed accounts of company initiatives that can be used to research business concepts and potential product/service offerings.
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Business Source CompleteProvides news, industry, and scholarly articles that relay general information about business structure or detailed accounts of company initiatives that can be used to research business concepts and potential product/service offerings.
Consumers:
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Mintel ReportsIdentify and research target consumers using Mintel's "Consumer" sections and datebooks.
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Frost & Sullivan Growth Partnership ServicesIdentify and research target consumers for business to business companies in the IT, healthcare, automotive, and telecommunications space.
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MRI-Simmons InsightsFurther research your identified target consumer's behavior and usage of products and services.
Business Operations (Design, Finances, Marketing, and Management):
Finances:
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Reference SolutionsProvides access to estimated business expenditure ranges for accounting, legal, marketing, office equipment, management and several other categories.
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Career One StopThis site that allows you to search Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data by area and occupation.
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Banker's Guide to New Small Business Finance Venture Deals, Crowdfunding, Private Equity, and Technology byISBN: 9781118837870Publication Date: 2014
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RMA Annual Statement StudiesCall Number: HF5681.B2 R6ISBN: 1545-7699Publication Date: 2016/17At the Business/SPEA Information Commons Reference Desk
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Financial Studies of the Small BusinessCall Number: HD2346.U5 F55ISBN: 0363-8987Publication Date: 2007At the Business/SPEA Information Commons Reference Desk
Marketing:
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Mintel ReportsResearch how your target consumers respond to different marketing strategies in order to identify the most appropriate channels to use for your marketing plan.
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MRI-Simmons InsightsResearch how your target consumers respond to different media channels in order to identify the most appropriate channels to use for your marketing plan.
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ABI/INFORM CollectionAccess advertising and marketing publications that provide general information for marketing within a specific industry or detailed accounts of company/product-level marketing strategies.
Management:
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ABI/INFORM CollectionAccess management publications that provide general information for management within a specific industry or detailed accounts of company management strategies.
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Business Source CompleteAccess management publications that provide general information for management within a specific industry or detailed accounts of company management strategies.
Citation:
When producing written and oral outcomes, cite the following:
- "Facts, figures, ideas, or other information that is not common knowledge.
- Ideas, words, theories, or exact language that another person used in other publications.
- Publications that must be cited include: books, book chapters, articles, web pages, theses, etc." (MIT, n.d., para. 3)
The Business/SPEA Citation Guide provides examples of how to cite information from business databases in both APA and MLA citation style.