Spotlight on Business Reference - Part 2

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Yesterday we talked about finding company information.  Let's take a look at industry information.

2)  "I'm looking for information on x industry".

The databases are a good place to start here, but we also have print sources and government web sites that also have lots of industry information and analysis too, so keep that in mind.

Industry Information

Business & Company Resource Center (online database)  mentioned above, but it's worth pointing out that you can perform searches by industry, with a built-in NAICS and SIC code lookup feature.  It's sources include the electronic versions of Gale's Encyclopedia of Global Industries, Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries and Encyclopedia of American Industries, among others.  

Gale Power Search (online database) Includes full-text coverage (1983-current) to Industry Week, and much more.  Simply perform a publication search using the keyword industry to find industry-specific journal titles (Beverage Industry, Farm Industry News, etc.).

U.S. Census Bureau:  Current Industrial Reports (Web)  Find data on production and shipments of selected manufactured products as reported by the Manufacturing, Mining and Construction Statistics division of the Census. 

Bizstats  (Web)  This is a free site that has business ratios for various industries.  This is a good alternative for the RMA Annual Statement Studies (the bible for business ratios - our copy is dated and may be put back on standing order).  For more information on business ratios, click HERE.

Encyclopedia of Global Industries (338.003)  The 3 Gale Encyclopedias of ...Industries are included in the Business & Company Resource Center, but it's good to know where the print versions are located.

Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries (338.003)  Covers new industries, such as Blogging, Digital Mapping and Extreme Sports.

Hoover's Handbook of Industry Profiles (338.03)  Over 300 industries are covered; profiles include industry overview, competitive landscape and products, operations and technology sections.

Encyclopedia of American Industries (338.097303)  Detailed reports covering every industry included in the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system.

S & P Industry Surveys (Investment Resources shelf)  Formerly, these came in smaller, industry-specific reports.  Now, the Industry Surveys are two large volumes that arrive monthly.  Included with each report is a current environment survey, industry profile, industry trends and comparative analysis.

Tomorrow, we're on to investment information sources.
Read Part 1
Read Part 3
Read Part 4