How And Where To Find Small Business Information
By Tom Egelhoff
 Small
business owners from all over the world email me for advice
or help with their business questions. I've received email from
every continent on earth. By far, the most often asked question
is, "Where do I find information about.....?"
So, I start my email, detailing the most common sources over
and over again and it slows down the number of email I can answer.
Please don't misunderstand -- I love to hear from everyone
out there. But what I really needed was an article that contained
all that information which I could add into the email. Sort of
a , "Read This First " then, "Here's what I suggest
you do next."
Information basics
Let's begin by exploring some information basics. Before you
begin searching for information you must write down exactly what
you are looking for. In addition to that, write down everything
you know about the subject so far. What additional areas do you
need information about?
Most people don't have a problem with this part of the exercise.
However, the next question is, where do I go to find that information?
This is the part most people write me about. You know the information
is out there...but where?
I know from the emails I get that a lot of business owners
write because they have become totally frustrated by not being
able to find the information quickly. They've searched the internet,
asked friends and family and finally given up in disgust.
Use the information expert you
are already paying!
You're and expert on your business so, if you need information,
why not contact an information expert. I know exactly what you're
going to say, "Tom, experts don't work for free!" "I
can't afford something like that."
Yes you can and you already are. You are paying an information
expert right now and you don't even know it. Who is your information
expert...your local librarian. There is either a library in your
town or one within reasonable driving distance of your business.
Your tax dollars support most libraries in most cities. In
fact, most are operated by the city like the sewer and water
departments. If you are fortunate enough to have a College or
University in our town you may have two. They are by far the
best and quickest way to get the information you need...If you
know how they work.
Finding
Information The Easy Way
What's the easy way to find information? Let someone else
find it for you. Most people don't realize that the principal
function of a librarian is to help people find the books and
information they are looking for. Contact them and arrange
to time for a tour of their small business information section.
Once you are familiar with the section, you can call them
with a list of the information you are looking for and they'll
find it for you. If it's within their walls. Don't demand one-minute-service.
The information requested may take some time to locate. Give
them the time they need.
Now, in the case of business information, sometimes your information
may be a little complicated. The librarian may have trouble understanding
exactly what you are looking for because they are not an expert
in your business.
If you think that might be the case, you should go to the
library and have someone give you some personal service. It's
a good idea to ask them what time would be best to come by. Be
considerate of their time -- make an appointment.
Knowing
what to look for
You can help the librarian locate your information if you
are familiar with some of the more common references.
Here are a few that will answer a lot of business questions.
If you are looking for a company to manufacturer something
for you, try:
- Standard & Poor's Register Of
Corporations.
- Thomas' Register of Manufacturers
- Similar to Standard & Poor's above.
If you are looking for surveys and statistics about your industry,
try:
- RMA Annual Statement Studies
- NAICS (North American Industry Classification
System)
Perhaps you need business start-up materials:
- Business Plans Handbook
- Will assist you in designing and writing a business plan
- Small Business Source Book
- This book lists a profile for hundreds of businesses. Including
start-up costs, expenses, positives and negatives of the business
and much more.
- Small Business Profiles
- Similar to the Small Business Source Book
Almost every business I've ever seen has some kind of association,
newsletter or magazine. Look for:
- Encyclopedia
of Associations Online - In
hard cover at your library
Lists big to small associations for almost every type
of business or industry. Contact these associations for more
specialized business help and industry specific information.
- Trade Shows Worldwide
- A annual listing of trade shows in your area and around the
world. Online trade show info is available at: www.tsnn.com
Perhaps you need magazines, newsletters or articles about
your industry. Try:
- International Periodicals Directory
- Listing of almost every magazine and newsletter
on any subject or industry. Usually about 10 books of several
thousand pages each. Small print. If you are in the industry
most subscriptions are free. Contact them on your letterhead
and (very important) don't ask if free subscriptions are available.
Instead, explain that you are in the industry and ask them to
please establish a free subscription for your business. (It's
ok to embellish your business.)
Join the library and CD (see-d)
world. (That's pretty bad, huh?)
Depending on where you live and the available local technologies,
there is a host of information on CD-ROM. Many libraries will
have:
American Business Disc
- a database of over 10 million businesses. Contains number of
employees, annual gross sales, owner name, address, phone, etc.
Phone Disc - A computerized
phone directory which includes business listings. Look for a
company that is successfully doing what you want to do and call
them up and seek a little first hand advice.
For local demographics, Try:
- Census information- the
librarian will show you where these books are or many have them
on CD's or online.
- MelissaData.com
is a great place to find all kinds of local demographics. See
their Free Lookups.
- Rand-McNally Commercial Atlas &
Marketing Guide. A giant book approximately three
feet by two and a half feet. Contains information for each county
in the United States. What people spend, by zip code, on clothing,
appliances, recreation, and household goods. Also, income, kids,
ethnic background and a lot more. A great book to see where the
money is being spent. You can also find this information online
at the US Census Bureau
site.
Small business help sights of interest you can go to right
now:
- Access government supplied business information online at
the Small Business Administration
website:
www.sbaonline.sba.org
- S.C.O.R.E - Service Corps
of Retired Executives - Over 1,000 business experts available
for FREE online consulting.
- SBDC
- Listing of Small Business Development Centers by state - Free
business plan and start-up help paid for with your tax dollars.
- You'll find census information at: www.census.gov
- Also look at Home
Town Locator for census data on your home town
- To see what articles have been written on specific businesses
or topics go to: www.findarticles.com
or www.about.com.
- Also check out www.business.org
a one-stop access to more than 70 organizations that assist
or regulate business.
- For additional business links on this page, try: The
100 Best Small Business Links. Be sure to let the page load
completely. (About 20 sec.)
- www.refdesk.com - Everything
else you could possibly want is here. If its not, you don't need
it.
The Last Word On Information
The best advice I can give you is to go to the library and
take the suggested tour of the business section. If you have
an interest in any of the above mentioned books, and they are
unavailable, the library can find the nearest location. Or in
some cases, depending on which book it is, they may be able to
transfer it to your location on a loan basis between the libraries.
Since these are reference books, you won't be able to take
them out of the library, so take lots of note paper. The more
familiar you are with the business section of your library, the
more successful your business will be.
As I have pointed out countless times on this site: If you
read or study something about your industry just 20 minutes a
day, in one year you will know more than 75% of the people in
that industry. Happy reading!!
Would you like Tom Egelhoff to
speak on small business information at your business function
or convention?
Seminars, Workshops,
keynotes
This article may be reproduced for your non-profit
group or organization provided it is not altered in any way
and the following is attached:
Used With Permission
©1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Eagle Marketing PO Box 271 Bozeman,
MT 59771-0271
http://www.smalltownmarketing.com - (406) 585-0219
email: tommail@smalltownmarketing.com
Based in Bozeman, MT, Tom Egelhoff is the author of How To Market, Advertise & Promote Your
Business Or Service In A Small Town, and The
Small Town Advertising Handbook: How To Say More And Spend Less.
He is also a seminar and workshop presenter
and trainer. He may be reached at 888-550-6100 or PO Box
271 Bozeman, MT 59771-0271
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