Baker College
Research Guides
How to Research a Business
Business
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Business Assistance (Michigan) MEDC - How to start a small business.
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D&B Hoovers Find company profiles, including an overview, financial information, list of company officials, and industry competitors. Additional information is available with a paid subscription.
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GuideStar Provides information about nonprofit organizations. A free registration is required for basic information, including IRS Form 990s. Additional information is available with a paid subscription.
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International Monetary Fund (IMF) "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 190 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world." (IMF website)
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International Trade Administration (ITA) U.S. Department of Commerce portal for International trade, Company profile information, market research, and more.
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North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) The standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
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Public Register Online Free Online Annual Reports
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U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) The site is designed to share best practices and assist is helping people create their own business.
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U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Download copies of a company’s filings, including registration statements and periodic financial reports.
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) "The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations."
Company Rankings
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Company Rankings/Lists From the Library of Congress.
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Corporate Responsibility (CR) Magazine Find the 100 Best Corporate Citizen's list here.
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Forbes Lists Forbes Magazine’s lists include: Best Small Companies, Best Big Companies, Largest Private Companies, and more.
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Latina Style 50 Listing of the 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S.
Marketing
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Ad*Access Find advertising images printed in the U.S. and Canada from 1911 to 1955.
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Advertising Age (AdAge) The latest advertising and marketing news.
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American Marketing Association (AMA) Links to their Codes of Conduct.
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Export.gov International Sales & Marketing
Statistics
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CIA: The World Factbook Find basic information about countries such as population data, culture, economy, ect.
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Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CE) "U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's Quarterly Interview Survey and the Diary Survey, that provide information on the buying habits of American consumers, including data on their expenditures, income, and consumer unit (families and single consumers) characteristics."
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Gallup.com Visit this site for access to a wide variety of Gallup Polls.
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U.S. Census Bureau Access American Fact Finder, County Business Patterns, Census data, and more.
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U.S. Department of Commerce "The U.S. Department of Commerce promotes job creation, economic growth, sustainable development and improved standards of living for all Americans by working in partnership with businesses, universities, communities and our nation’s workers."