Library Web Site: Business Guide: Business Background Info

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Find Business Background Info

Seeking background information from handbooks, encyclopedias, and specialized subject dictionaries can provide a foundation for topics that are new to you. Background information will offer facts, explanations, and defined terminology. Particular to Business, background resources can assist you in identifying current and historical trends related to companies and industries. The MSJ Library has both print and electronic background resources focuse on business topics.

Business Statistics

Statistics for the United States:

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2024: the National Data Book (Print) by ProQuest
Call Number: REFERENCE (1ST FL), R317.3 P962 2024
Publication Date: 2024
A comprehensive collection of statistics on the social, political, and economic conditions of the United States.

Statistical Abstract of the United States (1870s-2010, via census.gov)
This site offers archived versions of the Statistical Abstract of the United States (1870s-2010) along with numerous historical supplements focusing on metropolitan and county/city data.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 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.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Voluntary statistics collected from across the United States that tend to focus on: prices, employment and unemployment, compensation and working conditions, and productivity. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also maintains the Occupational Outlook Handbook and regularly publishes Monthly Labor Review (journal), Career Outlook, and news releases on real earnings.
Consumer Price Index
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. CPI uses can include: measuring the economy particular inflation and adjusting dollar values.
Producer Price Indexes
The Producer Price Index (PPI) program measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output. PPI uses include: forecasting, Last-in, first-out inventory valuation, adjusting purchase and sales contracts, and more.
Census Academy: Your Learning Hub for Data Skills
Provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, this site offers a way to "[l]earn how to access and use Census Bureau data your way through our how-to Data Gem videos and in-depth courses, webinars, and tutorials."
Census Business Builder
An interactive tool from the Census Bureau that provides key demographics and economic data to help entrepreneurs start a new business or expand an existing one.
County Business Patterns (Census.gov)
The Census Bureau's annual series that provides economic data for business with paid employees by industry and employment size.
Current Population Survey
A monthly survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau. Contains information on demographics, labor force characteristics, employment and unemployment, hours of work, and earnings.
Data USA
Visualizations, reports, and maps of publicly available US government data on topics relating to employment, job skills, and education. Joint venture by Deloitte and Datawheel.
Pew Research Center
Browse datasets and surveys on various topics from religion, politics, economy, and more. Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It does not take policy positions.

Statistics Worldwide:

CIA’s World Factbook
The Central Intelligence Agency offers a solid resource for a basic understanding of a country’s background from economy, energy, communications, and transportation.
Gapminder
A visual representation of global trends and proportions using available data. Ran by an independent Swedish foundation with no political, religious, or economic affiliations. Tip – Check out their tools such as “Dollar Street,” “Bubble Chart,” and “Income Mountains” to gain a better understanding of global realities.
World Development Indicators
From the World Bank, data includes national, regional, and global estimates. This is a data catalog that provides access to publicly available data through World Bank sites. You can find, download and use this data to understand trends. Data was collected between 1970 to present.

Business Communication: Writing

Professional, Technical Writing
Purdue OWL’s curated resources that provide assistance with the various types of business writing from donation requests, grants, reports, and more.
Write Your Business Plan
From the U.S. Small Business Administration, this resource provides templates and explain what should be included in your plan.
How to Write a Press Release (with examples)
From CBS News, this resource goes over some real life press releases and what makes them good or bad.
Grant Proposals
From the Writing Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this resource examples the various parts of a grant proposal and how to successfully write each section.
Guidelines and Resources on How to Improve Your Writing
A collection from non-profit Management Library of articles, advice, and samples of common documents used in business settings.

Business Organizations

Better Business Bureau (BBB)
An accreditation agency that works to create a equitable marketplace for judging businesses for delivering results in accordance to the BBB standards and addressing customer concerns in a timely manner. This site includes resources for businesses getting started and running their businesses as well as the BBB accreditation process. For consumers, this site has resources from finding a trusted business, consumer tips, reporting a scam, filing a complaint, leaving reviews, access to scam tracker, and more.
Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
A business membership organization for those in the Cincinnati region that provides its members with professional development and networking opportunities as well as advocates member’s business interests to government. Visit this resource to read recent Cincinnati Chamber news, the annual State of the Region Report, access their Center for Research & Data’s Regional Indicators Dashboard, or to become involved with the organization.
U. S. Chamber of Commerce
A business organization for small businesses and Chambers of Commerce across the United States that advocates for policies that help businesses create job and grow the economy. This site can be used to learn more about topics and news from a business-lens as well as their collection of analyses of economic data in their annual State of American Business Data Center report and data on topics such as workforce and small business.

Company Info

Company information includes company profiles, news, annual reports, and accounts; which can be helpful in understanding its business practices to finding and landing a job position. Before you start researching companies, first consider if the company is publicly held or a private company; what is the company’s full, official name as well as its common name; the headquarters location; and if publicly held company, its stock ticker. Researching private companies can be more challenging as they are typically not required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). For private companies you may need to find details from news articles, industry reports, and public competitors.

Reference Books:

Hoover's handbook of emerging companies (Print)
Call Number: REFERENCE (1ST FL) , R 338.7 H789 2024
Publication Date: 2024
International directory of company histories
Call Number: REFERENCE (1ST FL), R338.74 I61, multiple volumes

Databases:

Nexis Uni This link opens in a new window
Provides access to a wide range of news, business, legal, medical, and reference information from nearly 5,000 sources, most of them available in full text. The service covers newspapers, magazines, wire services, federal and state court opinions, federal and state statutes, federal regulations, and SEC filings.
Business Source Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
A scholarly database providing full text content related to business, company profiles, industry information, economics, finance, advertising, and other business topics.

Websites:

Inc.
Responsible for the INC. 5000 list which showcases the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States. This organization focuses on the American entrepreneur of private companies.
Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
With a focus on North American manufacturers, you can compare suppliers of products; use the certification definitions for quality, ownership, and more; access to industry news; and technical guides. To have full access, you will need to create a free account.
AnnualReports.com
This site allows for searching for a company in multiple ways – alphabetically, company name, ticker symbol, sector, industry, exchange, or index. You can view annual reports and the company information which is helpful for making informed investing decisions. You might need to register for a free account or profile to see further information and order hard copies of the reports.
The Public Register Online: annualreportservice.com
A free annual report service affiliated with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that requires you to create an account and register to access the material.
EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval)
This database from the SEC provides free public access to corporate information. The system allows you to research a company’s activities, registration statements, prospectuses, and reports including financial statements. It also provides access to correspondence about corporate filings reviewed by the SEC staff since August 2004.

Nonprofit Company Information

Where to Find Nonprofit Financial Information
This article from The Bridgespan Group, a global nonprofit, provides an overview of how to verify charitable status and what should be in a nonprofit’s annual report and where you can find the annual report.
National Center for Charitable Statistics
Offers resources for individuals looking to start and maintain a nonprofit as well as provides data and analysis for stakeholders to make informed decisions.
Charity Navigator
This nonprofit organization rates other charities on their cost-effectiveness and overall health of the charity’s program. The goal of the ratings are to help donors know where their money is going and what that money is doing. Also, has a guide for evaluating nonprofits as well as resources for potential donors to find charities that align with their values.
IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search
Use this tool to find information about an organization’s tax-exempt status and filings. You can also review all filings using the bulk data downloads option.
Giving USA
Interactive data visualization tool for high-level data, such as amount of contributions, recipient organization industry, and can be adjusted for inflation, in the United States. For further information, you will need to become a subscriber. This is made possible by the joint collaboration between Giving USA Foundation and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Cause IQ
This directory of nonprofits, associations, and foundations of tax-exempt organizations can be explore by category, state, and metro area. Information included for the organizations are revenue, assets, EIN, IRS type, employees, financial information, and trends for the last 5 years. Additionally, you can see the sizes, types, and trends of nonprofits by category, state, and metro area.
Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)
Multimedia organization that works with researchers and practitioners, it focuses on the operating environment of nonprofits, such as public policy, economic justice, and philanthropy.
The NonProfitTimes
A publication that has resources and the latest news for all individuals’ roles within the nonprofit world.

Economics

Reference Books:

Encyclopedia of American Economic History

Employment Data

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
"The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It is the principal fact-finding agency in the broad field of labor economics and statistics and serves as part of the U.S. Federal Statistical System. BLS collects, calculates, analyzes, and publishes data essential to the public, employers, researchers, and government organizations."
Current Population Survey
A monthly survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau. Contains information on demographics, labor force characteristics, employment and unemployment, hours of work, and earnings.
Data USA
Visualizations, reports, and maps of publicly available US government data on topics relating to employment, job skills, and education. Joint venture by Deloitte and Datawheel.
Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
Online version of the career handbook by the same name. Research a specific occupation or profession and find out the training and education required, salary, job prospects, working conditions, and the nature of the work. Searchable and browsable. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor.
County Business Patterns (Census.gov)
The Census Bureau's annual series that provides economic data for business with paid employees by industry and employment size.

Industry Information

Industry research looks at the industry as a whole and answers questions like these: Who are the key players/competitors?; How much is consumed?; What are the current trends and projections for the future?; and What does the industry produce and for whom.

Websites:

Bizstats
Using IRS financial information, this resource allows you to look at granular data for corporations, S-Corporation industry financials, and sole proprietor benchmarks and has resources such as financial calculators for balance sheets and startup costs. Powered by Bizmizer, an online research company for financial research.
CPA Class: Accounting Ratios for Financial Statement Analysis
Current Industrial Reports
From the U.S. Census Bureau, these reports provide monthly, quarterly, and annual measures of industrial activity, particularly estimates of production, shipments of specific manufactured products. The data is collected via surveys and data from CIR are in Excel format. Private industry uses this data to monitor the effect of international trade on domestic production, assess current business conditions, and plan for future business operations.

Reference Books:

Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys

Government Agencies related to Business

Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is a source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data. Their Quick Facts pagee can help you get started for statistics on states, counties, and cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Additionally, Census Data - Main Search allows you to explore the data on population, places, and economies in tables, maps, and general profiles (fact sheets for places).
Central Intelligence Agency
Department of Commerce
This department of the United States government is to create conditions for economic growth and opportunity for communities. Use this site to find information on data on the economy, population, and environment as well as explore various issues that impact trade or commerce with related government legislation and curated press releases associated with those issues.
Department of Labor
United States governmental department is responsible for improving working conditions, promoting the welfare of workers, and assure work-related benefits. Find resources and information on grants, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), collective bargaining, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), unemployment support, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protections.
Department of the Treasury
The United States government website organizes information by policy issues, data such as interest rates, government spending, and national debt, their services (currency, bonds and securities, IRS, and fraud reports), and their related news including statements and press releases.
Securities and Exchange Commission
Provides rules for the stock markets to protect investors. This resource contains data on publicly traded companies, visualizations on market activity and capitol formation, rules and their enforcement and investment advice.
Federal Reserve System
This government site provides economic research data and consumer information as related to monetary policy and banking information and regulation
Congressional Budget Office
Federal budget and U.S. economic data, including non-partisan analysis of proposed and enacted legislation to the U.S. Congress.
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Information to protect market users and the public from fraud and abusive practices related to the sale of commodity and financial options.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Provides rules for the stock markets to protect investors. This resource contains data on publicly traded companies, visualizations on market activity and capitol formation, rules and their enforcement and investment advice.

Business News

Articles and press releases from newspapers, magazines, and trade publications can help reveal current and forthcoming trends such as product launches, new patents, mergers and acquisitions, overall attitudes, and other events. With a quicker publishing timeline than traditional scholarly and peer-reviewed sources, staying informed of general business news can help you understand the pulse of business happenings and trends.

Wall Street Journal This link opens in a new window
An American newspaper focused on business, economics, and finance reporting on a national and international level. Coverage extends to lifestyle, real estate, arts, health, technology, politics, and opinion. To access: First time users must first visit the special Wall Street Journal MSJ registration page at: https://wsj.com/msju and sign up for a Wall Street Journal account. Make sure you use your MSJ.edu email address to register; no other email address will work. Please note that your WSJ login is separate from your regular MSJ Library login. After you set up your account, you can then go to wsj.com, log in with your username (your MSJ email address) and password (the password you create when you register), and begin enjoying the full benefits of your Wall Street Journal account. Access includes all articles in current issues plus any articles published within the last five years. Additionally, once you register for your account, you can also use the WSJ mobile app by downloading the app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store and signing in to the app with the same login credentials as your WSJ account.

Bloomberg Business News
A multimedia company that focuses on the global world for context between companies, industries, and markets.
Business Week
American monthly business magazine owned by Bloomberg that uses investigative reporting and analysis to look into global business trends.
CNN Financial News
This news site offers perspectives, opinion, and analysis of today’s global business, technology, economic trends and media headlines.
Market Watch
Provides real-time market data and financial news. It is a free service that is provided by Dow Jones & Company.
Insights by Standard Business
Stanford University's Graduate School of Business has research, reports, and shortform news pieces about trends and tips for the business world. There is also access to their Magazine, videos, podcasts, and the emailed newsletter. Browse by the various business topics or use the search bar.

Advertising HIstory & Design

Reference Books:

The Advertising Age Encyclopedia of Advertising
A three volume print encyclopedia set from the MSJ Library's Reference Collection. It offers a comprehensive resource for historical research on major advertising agencies and classic campaigns. There is also substantive coverage of issues such as the representation of women and ethnic minorities as well as professional ethics.

Websites:

Ad* Access Project (1911-1955)
A digital collection from Duke University Libraries of digitized images of American and Canadian print advertisements, focusing on the subjects of beauty & hygiene, radio, television, transportation, and World War II. Information about date, publication source, company being advertised and target audience is provided. Access provided by Duke University Libraries. Provides a historical view of major ad campaigns by companies.
American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera (18th-20th century)
Database of digitized online images of broadsides and other printed materials from the Library of Congress’ collections. The search options allows for limiting searches to advertisements, menus, programs, catalogs, and such. The information provided for each image are date, publication source, and company advertised.
AdViews
A digital archive of vintage television commercials from the 1950s-1980s from Duke University's digital collections.
AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Design Archives
A collection of online resources from 1924 to present. This collection includes more than 20,000 items from AIGA’s national juried design competitions that explores packaging, corporate communications, brand and identity systems, typography, editorial design and illustration, and experience design.
Brand New – a Division of UnderConsideration
A graphic design firm that chronicles and provides opinions on corporate and brand identity work. It covers redesigns and new designs of products, organizations, and services across all industries and locations.
Advertising Age
The website for 70+-year-old flagship magazine of the Ad Age Group, which focuses on curated creativity, people and culture, and innovation and forecasting.

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Business Guide

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Find Business Background Info

Business Statistics

Business Communication: Writing

Business Organizations

Company Info

Nonprofit Company Information

Economics

Employment Data

Industry Information

Government Agencies related to Business

Business News

Advertising HIstory & Design

Books & Media

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