Business Resources: Business and Industry Research

Elements of a business plan and tips on researching and developing a plan.

This site can help with your financial projections or writing the financial section of your business plan.

Another "how-to" on creating business plans.

"Bplans is owned and operated by Palo Alto Software, Inc., as a free resource to help entrepreneurs start and run better businesses."

Finished business plan of an imaginary company.

A checklist to help you through your business plan process. Includes suggested documents and topics to consider when writing your business plan.

Offers ideas on where to find market research.

The U.S. Census provides key demographics for social, economic and housing statistics for every community in the U.S. Also includes the Economic Census, "the most comprehensive source of information about American businesses from the national to the local level."

"CEOExpress.com is designed to be the best executive assistant imaginable, providing a tool that users would have created themselves if they had the time. CEOExpress filters and organizes the content executives need, while adding features that make their lives even more streamlined and efficient. "

Information (including education, training, job forecast, pay, etc.) about various occupations.

Classifies businesses by type of economic activity. Largely replaced SIC.

Search for detailed information about a specific SIC. This system is still used by certain government departments and agencies.

Product sourcing and supplier.

Free registration. Publishes financial research and stock analysis.

Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system from the SEC.

Snapshots of Amercian industries. Includes background information, industry leaders, current conditions, etc.

"The Census Business Builder is a suite of services that provides selected demographic and economic data from the Census Bureau tailored to specific types of users in a simple to access and use format. The Small Business Edition presents data for a single type of business and geography at a time."

Describes Business applications for Census statistics.

"The Economic Census provides detailed information on employer businesses, including detailed data by industry, geography, and more."