Business Databases: The Most Likely to Aid RFM Students
- Business Source CompleteWhen I want to learn about a business, product, or trend, BSC can help. Easy-to-use database of general business news, trade publications, and academic journals. and research.
- Mintel Oxygen AcademicIndustry reports written by business experts. We subscribe to the "Retail & Apparel" and " Travel, Leisure & Entertainment" sections for HCSE research.
- D&B Hoovers / OneSourceOneSource is an excellent database for company profiles, industry and market research reports, SWOT analyses, analyst reports, and more.
- Passport GMIDGMID is good for details on specific industries. Browse to the "Apparel and Footwear" section in the "industries" drop-down box.
More Business Info Sources
Chad Boeninger, OU's Business Librarian, has a series of resource guides for business applications.
These can all be found by searching on the library home page, but here I've featured the ones I think we would be likely to use.
Most of his pages include videos on how to search that thing. I use these a lot.
- Company Research GuideA long list of places to look. If you can't find your company, look for a company like it, or read about the problems and opportunities of the industry to which it belongs.Ex: nothing on the Athena Cinema? How about Movie theaters in general, or Regal Cinemas? These will tell you what movie theaters all over the US are facing and you can ask if it applies to the Athena.
- Databases for Business GuideDescriptions of the dozens of business databases OU subscribes to, with details and notes on use.
- Entrepreneurship GuideWhere to look to analyze your industry, target consumer, local markets, and competitors. Vital!
- International Business GuideResources for finding information about doing business in another country, assessing an international market for the purpose of launching a new product, or expanding an existing brand or business.
- Quick Service Restaurant Industry GuideIndustry analysis, competition, local markets and demand are some of the areas covered in this guide.
Small, Private, Local
Where do you find info on the business down the street?
- go and look: what is their product mix, target demographic, approach to sales, etc.
- talk to people: the manager, the owner, the clerk, the patrons
- scour the media: where and how are they advertising?
- see the Chamber of Commerce in that town
- do a query about them with the local Better Business Bureau
- Access World News: America's NewspapersIncludes some smaller-town newspaper articles. What could I learn here about local businesses?