Finding Business Information for

3MC3Jeanne Ananjean@mcmaster.ca

Ines Perkovic perkovic@mcmaster.ca

Innis Library

October 2006

The Big Questions How do I get at the e-resources? I know how to find marketing information

for Canada, but how do I get it for Hamilton or Burlington? Articles Competitors lists Market share Business statistics

Your Challenges Hard to find information for low levels of

geography Many of the establishments you’re working

with are small and private (no obligation to report sales, etc.)

Statistics Canada and other agencies obligated to maintain confidentiality

Innis Library web site: http://library.mcmaster.ca/innis

Contains specific resources for business/commerce students

Key links on left navigation menu “Top Business Databases” Research Guides for Business

Class Guides for Business Commerce 3MC3 – Applied Marketing

Management Class Presentation & Quick Start

Research Guide Research Guide contains a list of

resources you will find useful for this specific class

Library Home Page Redesigned More search functionality directly on home page MORRIS (library catalogue of what McMaster owns at all four

libraries) Databases (article, company & market research databases) MultiSearch (search many databases all at once) Web – search library, university or Google New

Best Databases for 3MC3 – industry & company information:

CBCA and CPI.Q for articles on broad Canadian industry and consumer trends

LexisNexis or Factiva for access to the Hamilton Spectator and other local newspapers! NOTE: Factiva is limited to 6 simultaneous users.

MarketResearch.com Academic for market research reports (mostly U.S. content, but small, niche industries are often covered)

HOT PICK

Finding articles on Stoney Creek Furniture in the Hamilton Spectator via Factiva

Selected full-text search

Result: 36 articles in Hamilton Spectator since 1986

Canadian Business Database: Best source for finding local competitors Over 1.3 million Canadian companies! Includes private companies Provides sales and employee size (in

ranges) Allows you to get down to the postal code

level. Only lets you search by SIC. Also available off-campus.

NOTE: Access is limited to 3 simultaneous users.

Canadian Business Database: Custom Search

Select search

criteria & create form

Finding all the hair salons in Hamilton

Key in your SIC code(s)

Indicate city & province

Result: 321 salons in Hamilton

Entries include address, contact, employee size ranges, sales ranges credit rating lines of business

Another Source: Hamilton Business Directory (11,500 companies) http://www.hamiltonbusinessdirectory.ca/d

efault.htm Contains over 11,500 profiles Browse by industry or use your NAICS

(North American Industry Classification System)

Hamilton Business Directory

Use AdvancedSearch modeto search by NAICS code

Market Share No easy answers,

especially when dealing with small companies

Like putting together an old puzzle You may not be able to

find all the pieces!

Canadian Business Database: Screening by Sales Volume

Pick one or more sales ranges

Result: 11 salons with sales $500,000 - $1 Million

To modify or revise search

Constructing very rough market share using Canadian Business Database range data

Hair Salons in Hamilton (Estimated Sales)  

Company Name Revenue Range Midpoint % of Total

Joseph's Coiffures $500,000-$1 M $750,000 X%

Madison Avenue Hair Design $500,000-$1 M $750,000 X%

Robert's Hair Styling $500,000-$1 M $750,000 X%

Hair Crafters Under $500,000 $250,000 X%

Hair Benders Under $500,000 $250,000 X%

Hair Dudes Under $500,000 $250,000 X%

……..      

…….      

TOTAL   $X Million 100%

Step by step guide for calculating market share in CBD is included in the 3MC3

research guide

Business Statistics:Statistics Canada: http://www.statcan.caNew Design and Added Functionality

Useful Links

Search

Summary Tables - Canadian Statistics

Statistics by subject – overview of trends and brief articles

Community Profiles (2001): Census data for Hamilton

The Daily - access to newly released data

E-STAT: Time Series DataIncludes CANSIM and Census data Use library web site to access free data

from E-STAT including CANSIM and Census data

Use Databases tab Type in e-stat in search box At the welcome screen don’t forget to click on

the Accept and Enter button

E-STAT ToC: Population & Demography – Census databases

E-STAT – Select geographic area by name or postal code

E-STAT: Tract 45 includes postal code L8S 4M4

Boundaries of Census Tract 45

E-STAT: FREE access to CANSIM datae.g. Finding Consumer Spending Data

Click here then select

Consumer spending

E-STAT: Household spending table: 203-0001Avg. clothing expenditures

Select a table

& choose items from the

menus

Result: Create a table, bar graph, etc.

Canadian Business Patterns How many businesses are there in Canada?

Provides counts of active business establishments on the basis of geography (e.g., Hamilton CMA), employment size ranges (e.g., 1-4), and industrial activity (e.g. NAICS code)

1996 to the present Available via Library Data Service @ Mills (1st

floor). Must sign license agreement - McMaster Users Only

Useful for industry trend analysis

Trial Products – Limited Time Only

Business Source Complete Trial extended to Oct 31 Access from Innis web site bubble or on

3MC3 guide Good source for industry / company

profiles Plunkett Research Online

New very limited trial until Nov 1 US in focus but excellent source for

industry analysis, overview, statistics…

Quick Start Page for 3MC3:http://library.mcmaster.ca/innis/find/3mc3.htm

Research/Reference Help Desk

Hours: M-F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Phone: (905) 525-9140, ext. 23318 E-Mail: innisref@mcmaster.ca

IM: http://library.mcmaster.ca/justask/chat.htm