Finding Business and Industry Information
Statistics
The Library Can Help
If you're thinking about starting your own business, the Library has resources that can help. This guide will show you the online and Library resources to use to find your target market, plan your business for success, navigate legal and financial hurdles, market your business effectively, and more.
If you see a resource that you're interested in, there's no need to stop your reading to look it up or write it down. You can simply add the resource to your Links Basket and either access them or print them out later once you're finished. There are too many good resources to let one slip, and the Links Basket will keep them all together for you in one place. Tons of valuable information are waiting for you at the Library, so take a peek and get the knowledge you need.
National, State & County
National
Statistical Abstract of the United States
- Provides statistics on U.S. social and economic conditions
- Includes some international data
- Gives references for sources of other data from government and private agencies
- Census Bureau data book
State
The Florida Statistical Abstract is published annually by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) at the University of Florida. It is a good starting point for state data. It provides social and economic statistics on Florida and its counties. Its sources are the U.S. Census and other data from State, Federal, and private agencies.
State and County
The Complete Economic and Demographic Data Source(CEDDS) (Woods & Poole Economics Inc.)
- Data and projections for all counties, states, metropolitan areas, and regions in the U.S.
- The State Profile provides data for all counties and metropolitan areas in a state.
- Significant aspects of this source are that it also provides historical data from 1970 and projections to 2030.
- Data includes: Population, Race, Age, Employment by industry, Earnings by industry, Personal income, Household data, Retail sales by business type, and Wealth index.
Databases and Web Sites
Databases that Provide Statistics
- Business Index ASAP - Provides bibliographic references, abstracts or full text of articles from more than 800 business, management, and trade publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Asian Wall Street Journal and The Financial Times. Covered subjects include banking, investment, companies, industries and new technologies and products.
- SimplyMap - Use the latest demographic, business and marketing data to create thematic maps and reports showing information for a specific location or multiple locations.
- World Almanac - Fundamental reference resource.
Web Sites with Statistics
- City of Orlando: http://www.cityoforlando.net/
- Orange County: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/
- SCORE: http://www.scoreorlando.org/
- U.S. Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/
Demographics
National, State, & Local
National & State
Community Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics
- Four tables of information for each Zip Code in the U.S.
- Table A: Population and population change.
- Table B: Population composition, including age distribution.
- Table C: Income
- Table D: Spending potential indices.
This publication includes business data for zip codes and maps.
Use this source when determining demographics or market potential in specific areas.
Demographics USA: County Edition
- Marketing statistics: Population(including race, ethnicity), Age/sex groups, Household data
- Effective buying income
- Retail sales including number of establishments
- Buying power index
- Occupation/employment data
Metropolitan and demographic area rankings for specific characteristics - identify geographic areas that match characteristics of your product or service.
Local The Orlando Sentinel Communications Data Book provides information about local population and lifestyle, economy and employment, transportation and tourism as well as other topics:
- Population & Lifestyle
- Economy & Employment
- Housing & Development
- Transportation & Tourism
- Retailing
- Media
- Counties
BEBR (Bureau of Economic and Business Research) at the University of Florida publishes numerous statistical reports. The Florida County Perspectives provides detailed data for a single county. The Orlando Public Library retains current and previous reports for Central Florida counties: Orange, Lake, Seminole, and Osceola.
Other BEBR reports available at the Library include:
Databases and Web Sites
Databases
- General Business File - Analyze company performance and activity, industry events and trends as well as the latest in management, economics and politics.
- SimplyMap - Use the latest demographic, business and marketing data to create thematic maps and reports showing information for a specific location or multiple locations.
Web Sites
- Chambers in Cyberspace: http://apps.acce.org/BusinessDirectory//
- City of Orlando: http://www.cityoforlando.net/
- Florida Chambers Index: http://www.globalindex.com/comindex/fl
- Orange County: http://www.orangecountyfl.net/
- Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce: http://www.orlando.org/
- SCORE: http://www.scoreorlando.org/
- U.S. Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/
Directories
Regional, National & International
Whether you need to locate competitors or develop prospects, these directories are available for use in the library.
Regional
- Regional Business Directory (Dun & Bradstreet)
- Florida Manufacturers Register
- Harris Florida Manufacturers Directory
- The Blue Book North and Central Florida
- The Blue Book South Florida
National
- D&B Million Dollar Directory
- Ward's Business Directory
- LexisNexis Corporate Affiliations
- Television & Cable Factbook
- The Advertising Red Books
- Chain Store Guide
International
Databases and Web Sites
Databases
Web Sites
- Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF):http://http://www.bbif.com/
- City of Orlando:http://www.cityoforlando.net/
- Florida Division of Corporations:http://www.sunbiz.org/
- Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF):http://www.hbiforl.org/
- Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance:http://www.allianceflorida.com/
- Orange County:http://www.orangecountyfl.net
- Disney Entrepreneur Center http://www.disneyec.com/
Other Business Topics
Franchise
Bond's Franchise Guide offers the prospective franchisee detailed profiles of over 1,000 franchises, as well as listings of franchise attorneys, consultants and service providers.
How to Buy a Franchise by James A. Meaney explains what you need to know about how to research a franchise company, analyze its financial and sales information and investigate the earnings claims of the franchisor.
The Franchise Annual is a useful franchise handbook and directory.
Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Book of Franchises combines comprehensive franchise listings with practical advice and in-depth facts on over 1,000 franchise qualifications, financial stability ratings.
Sales
How to Master the Art of Selling by Tom Hopkins - The author claims that, after failing during the first six months of his career in sales, he learned and applied the best sales techniques, then earned more than one million dollars in just three years.
The Art of Closing Any Deal by James W. Pickens - It's a new millennium, and technology has transformed the way of doing business. But one thing hasn't changed. And that's the old-fashioned people savvy and skill every selling professional needs to overcome any barrier and close the deal.
Non-Profit
Visit the Orlando Public Library to access the Foundation Directory Online and print publications provided by the Foundation Center for grant and foundation information.
The Foundation Center's Guide to Grantseeking on the Web - A selective rather than comprehensive index of available philanthropic sites on the Web, intended as an introduction not only to the most useful sites, but also to procedures for getting the most out of time doing funding research online.
Grant Writing for Dummies by Bev Browning offers a practical desktop reference for business owners, contract bid staff, and new grant writers needing step-by-step guidance, as well as veteran grant writers seeking to increase their funding success rates.
Customer Service
The Big Book of Customer Service Games - Help your employees to excel in dealing with the public with this stimulating, fun-filled collection of customer service training games. Designed not only to teach important skills but also to spark enthusiasm and a high level of involvement in the participants, these games utilize entertaining and instructive techniques such as role-playing, charades, brainstorming, and debate.
When Fish Fly: lessons for creating a vital and energized workplace from the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market by John Yokoyama and Joseph A. Michelli - In this revealing business advice book, the magic of Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market proves a dynamic example of what a group of people can create when they are aligned and living a powerful vision.