Industry Research: Home

Target Industry

As you do your research, think broadly and creatively about where your target fits. Some industries are too new or too odd to fit into an established category. It also doesn't hurt to look at more than one industry.

Classification Codes

Many databases allow you to use codes to search for an industry. Two codes that are used by all US businesses are NAICS and its precursor SIC.

• NAICS: North American Industry Classification System
• SIC: Standard Industrial Classification

If you have trouble finding the right code, you can always look for a similar/competing company in a database such as Reference Solutions, linked below, and find the codes there.

Use the left side menu or the links below to find helpful Industry information:

• Industry Profiles: Check out this tab for information about top companies, industries, and current business issues. 
• Trade Groups & Publications: Search this tab to learn the vocabulary of an industry, key players, and current trends.
• Rankings: These sources will show you the top companies in an industry and how much market share each controls.
• Ratios & Benchmarks:  Look here for benchmarks for business or financial projections.
• Statistics: Find relevant industry statistics here.
• Other Sources: Look at market research to understand trend, market share, and key players in an industry.