An industry classification code can ensure relevant results since many databases allow you to use this code to search the contents. Two codes that are assigned to all US businesses are NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) and its precursor 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.
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.
Use industry profiles for a broad overview of the industry including the Five Forces
The Five Forces model was created by Michael E. Porter in 1979 to describe how competitive forces impact an industry. The five forces are threat of entry, bargaining power of buyers, threats of substitutes, bargaining power of suppliers, and industry rivalry.
Provides private market data by industry and financing history. Includes startups, VC and PE-backed companies, as well as mature private and public firms.
Access note: Log in required to access full content. Register for a free account with your colorado.edu email address. Users are limited to 10 downloads per day and 25 downloads per month. (1 download = 1 row of data on an excel file). Resource only available for current CU Boulder faculty, staff, and students.
Trade associations (also called trade groups, industry groups, business associations, etc.) are often the only place to find current statistics or trends for an industry. These associations often publish journals, newsletters, reports, etc. geared towards people in the industry and thus can be very useful for learning the vocabulary of an industry, the key players, and current issues or trends.
These databases are the best sources for trade publications:
Comprehensive source for materials on all business topics. Also includes company profiles.
Alternatively, you can also simply go to trade associations and see what content they have available for free. To find a trade association for your industry, Google your industry and the word "association." If you are having trouble getting access to free content don't buy it, ask us and we will try and get you a free copy.
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. They are written for companies, so you will need a competitor name to find one, but they give information on both the overall industry and company.
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