Need Inspiration? Pick Up A Book!

This section will introduce several "how-to" books on business to help you get started with your research. These books will primarily introduce you to business plan writing. These books will also introduce general business types such as retail and service business models.

Find Books Using Relevant Subject Headings

• Building—Superintendence
• Construction industry—Management
• Production management
• Construction Industry 
• Contractors' Operations 
• New Business Enterprises

Google Books 
Google Books is a search feature offered by Google. It enables users to search the full text of approximately 10 million books that Google has scanned and stored in its digital database. It also offers previews of books that are currently still in print.

Worldcat 
A global catalogue of library collections from various libraries around the world. You can search for books on business planning, new enterprises, start-ups, or your specific industry. You can search for all the locations with copies of a specific item, and then locate the item in a nearby library. In Worldcat, you can also view research articles and other digital content directly online.

illume
A search portal to BC's post-secondary and public library collections (93 libraries). 

In the page below you will find examples of successful business plans. Researching your business plan can be a very time-consuming experience, but it is an essential and worthwhile investment. Your business plan will become your most important day to day operating tool. The information resources and strategies in this guide will help you create an effective plan and increase your chances for business success.

Review Sample Plans for Ideas

Most books about starting a business will include examples of business plans, as well as business planning templates. In addition to books, online business resources frequently include sample business plans. Here are a few to get you started.

Business Plans

Bplans.com
This site offers a selection of free sample business plans, as well as articles on business planning. Bplans.com also sells business planning software.

• Building Construction Business Plan
• Commercial Contractor Business Plan
• Construction Business Plan
• Construction Repair Business Plan
• Residential Remodeling Business Plan

Business Plans Handbook, Gale Publishing
This is a database of actual business plans written by North American entrepreneurs seeking financing for their businesses. Includes examples of many start-up business ideas. Access is available through many BC public libraries, made possible by a generous donation from the Sutherland Foundation. Affiliates of UBC can start here.

• Construction and Home Rehabilitation Company Business Plan
• Construction Development and Real Estate Firm Business Plan
• Environmentally-minded Residential Construction Company Business Plan
• General Construction Company Business Plan
• General Contractor Business Plan

Marketing Plans

Marketing Plan Outline from Government of Canada |This Government of Canada page reviews the components of a marketing plan and why a marketing plan is necessary for your small business. 

BDC Marketing Plan Template | This comprehensive marketing plan template from BDC is for Canadian entrepreneurs specifically and includes all the important sections of a marketing plan, including an executive summary, identification of your target customer, and how you'll measure your sales.

Small Business BC - How to Write a Marketing Plan
This guide shows you how to develop a marketing plan that includes details like how you intend to meet your customers’ needs and communicate the benefits of your products or services to them. When making any decisions about market positioning, pricing, promotions, and sales, your customers should always be top of mind.

In this section you will find links to information on funding for your business. No business can function without money to pay for overhead expenses and production or product costs. It is also unusual for a business founder to have the capital to fully fund their business. The sources in this section will help you consider the best source of funding for your business.

Suggestions for Obtaining Capital

With proper planning and a few resources to guide you on your way, identifying and securing capital to start and grow your business becomes a much smoother and gentler process.

There are several ways to secure the capital needed to fund your business:

• Government Funding: This is money that the government gives you to fund your business, based on your application to the funding grant. There are other types of government assistance you might wish to explore here: Business Grants and Financing.
• Personal Savings: This involves saving your money from your current employment to invest in your business.
• Personal Loans: This option means using your personal credit to secure a loan or using your personal credit card for business expenses.
• Crowdfunding/Micro-Lending: Crowdfunding and micro-lending are both alternative ways of raising capital that involve having large groups of people pre-buy your product before it is launched or loan you small amounts that you can then use to finance your business.
• Private Financing/Equity Financing: This types of financing come in the form of loans from banks or individuals. It is obtained through your business’ credit availability or through providing equity in your business in exchange for money. This financing involves going into debt or giving up some control of your business.

Need More?

Funding & Financing Page

Check out this page in the Learn Business Basics section of our site to review a growing list of different ways to raise capital for Canadian businesses. It has many funding resources to explore that fall into the categories above, and well as sections with opportunities specifically for Indigenous, women, and youth entrepreneurs, as well as regional funding opportunities.

Below, we have some resources that can help you find funding options for your business:

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:

• Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
• Generate lists of competitors in company directories

Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.

Try These

Type	Code	Description
NAICS	2361 – Residential Building Construction	Construction or remodelling and renovation of single-family and multi-family residential buildings
NAICS	236110 – Residential Building Construction (CAN)	Construction or remodelling and renovation of single-family and multi-family residential buildings. Does not include construction and leasing of residential buildings.
NAICS	2362 – Non-residential Building Construction	Construction of industrial, commercial, and institutional buildings.
NAICS	236210 – Industrial Building and Structure Construction (US)	Construction of industrial buildings (except for warehouses) such as assembly plants, cement plants, and foundries.
NAICS	236220 – Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (US)	Construction of commercial and institutional buildings and related structures such as office buildings, hotels and motels, and swimming pools.
NAICS	2381 – Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors	Includes establishments engaged in specialty trades needed to complete basic building structures (eg. foundation, frame, shell).
NAICS	238110 – Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors	Includes establishments that pour and finish concrete foundations and structural elements.
NAICS	238120 -  Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (US)	Includes establishments that assemble structural parts (made from steel or precast concrete) and install steel construction products to reinforce poured-place concrete.
NAICS	238130 – Framing Contractors (US)	Includes establishments that perform structural framing and sheathing with materials other than steel or concrete.
NAICS	238140 – Masonry Contractors (US)	Includes establishments that perform masonry work, stone setting, brick layering, and other stone work.
NAICS	238150 – Glass and Glazing Contractors (US)	Includes establishments that install glass panes and other glass work for buildings.
NAICS	238160 – Roofing Contractors (US)	Includes establishments that perform roofing. Also includes establishments that spray, paint and coat roofs, and install skylights.
NAICS	238170 – Siding Contractors (US)	Includes establishments that install siding of wood, aluminum, vinyl or other finish material.
NAICS	238190 – Other foundation, Structure and Building Contractors (US)	Includes establishments that are not classified under any other industry, but which perform foundation, structure, and building exterior trades work.

Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.   

For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.

The Expensive World Of Business Information

Believe it or not, you cannot find everything on Google! Have you ever done an online search and found the perfect industry report only to find that it costs over $5,000? Did you know that libraries pay for many expensive databases that could be helpful in your secondary market research? 

Search engines like Google can only provide direct access to freely available information. Most of the web, including business information, lives in databases behind expensive paywalls. This paywall-protected section of the Internet is known as the deep web. Fortunately, some libraries pay to subscribe to databases so they can provide free access to their patrons — and many business databases can contain useful information such as articles, market research, and company reports.

There are several strategies you can use to access relevant business information on the deep web. First, we urge you to look up what business resources your local public or academic library can provide access to. Each database has its own arrangement, with unique interfaces and search features. It helps to know the structure and search terms of the specific database you are working with in order to retrieve effective results. 

Also, it is important to know that library databases are restricted by specific usage agreements. It can help to consult with a librarian if you have trouble navigating a specific database. They may also be able to help you find comparable information elsewhere. Libraries with robust business collections might have useful e-books, directories and trade journals. As you conduct your secondary market research you will likely need to consult both free and deep web resources.

For more information about how and why to use business databases, check out our video tutorial, Module Four: Conducting Your Industry Research.

Business Resources at Academic Libraries 

Colleges and Universities with business programs will have useful business collections you may be able to get access to through their academic library. Often these academic libraries can provide the general public with access to their collections, which include electronic resources like databases and e-books. For example, they could have alumni or community cards, and can provide temporary "guest" passes in certain situations. Contact your local college or university library to see what they can provide. Please note: you probably will not get access to their electronic resources with remote access.

Databases For Industry Research

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

Provincial Library Database Partners

How to access: Check out the database list and note the License Participants to find out which institutions have access. Otherwise, contact your local post-secondary library to see what they offer.

BC Electronic Library Network (ELN) Research Databases

ELN licenses databases with partner academic libraries. These include LexisNexis, Canadian Newsstream, Hoovers, CBCA Business, ABI/INFORM Complete and others that may be of interest to business researchers.

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Canada infrastructure report - Q4 2020. (2020). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Global industry forecasts > quarterly industry forecasts > construction. (2020). (). Oxford: Oxford Economics Ltd. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
• Canadian construction activity dropped 41 per cent from march to April and is now recovering: Construction activity index. (2020, Aug 14). Real Estate Monitor Worldwide. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Canadian construction activity dropped 41 per cent from march to April and is now recovering: Construction activity index: Analysis of worker hours shows sharp drop in Ontario, British Columbia minimally affected. (2020, Aug 13). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• The residential and non-residential construction industry will lead the post COVID-19 economic recovery. (2020, Jun 09). Real Estate Monitor Worldwide. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Global industry forecasts > quarterly industry forecasts > construction. (2020). Oxford: Oxford Economics Ltd. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection. 
• Construction (building), including the construction of residential homes and apartments, commercial buildings and industrial buildings industry (2019). Houston: Plunkett Research, Ltd. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Modular construction market size worth USD 114.78 billion, globally, by 2028 at 6.1% CAGR: According to fortune business insights, the global modular construction market size is projected to grow from USD 75.89 billion in 2021 to USD 114.78 billion in 2028, at CAGR of 6.1% during forecast period. the increased infrastructure investment across glob boosting the modular construction industry globally. (2023, Jan 16). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.

BCC Research Centre

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Publishes 250 reports annually that are complete with market intelligence, five-year forecasts, statistical and analytical data, key players, market share, industry structure and dynamics, and technological shifts and trends.

• TBRC. (2022, September.) Residential Building Construction Market Global Briefing 2022: Russia-Ukraine Global Impact. [Report Code MKB318F.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
• TBRC. (2022, September.) Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction Market Global Briefing 2022: Russia-Ukraine Global Impact. [Report Code MKB320F.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
• TBRC. (2022, September.) Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Market Global Briefing 2022: Russia-Ukraine Global Impact. [Report Code MKB195I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
• TBRC. (2022, September.) Nonresidential Building Construction Market Global Briefing 2022: Russia-Ukraine Global Impact. [Report Code MKB321F.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre. 
• TBRC. (2022, September.) Building Construction Market Global Briefing 2022: Russia-Ukraine Global Impact. [Report Code MKB193I.] Retrieved from BCC Research Centre.

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• MarketLine Industry Profile: Construction Materials in Canada. (2022). Construction Materials Industry Profile: Canada, 1–48. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Residential Construction in Canada. (2022). Residential Construction Industry Profile: Canada, 1–37. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Guerra, B. C., Shahi, S., Mollaei, A., Skaf, N., Weber, O., Leite, F., & Haas, C. (2021). Circular economy applications in the construction industry: A global scan of trends and opportunities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 324, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Johansson, J., Berglund, L., Johansson, M., Nygren, M., Rask, K., Samuelson, B., & Stenberg, M. (2019). Occupational safety in the construction industry. Work, 64(1), 21–32. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Barnes Reports: SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY (NAICS 236115). (2022). United States Single-Family Housing Construction Industry Capital & Expenses Report, 1–222. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Okpala, I., Nnaji, C., Awolusi, I., & Akanmu, A. (2021). Developing a Success Model for Assessing the Impact of Wearable Sensing Devices in the Construction Industry. Journal of Construction Engineering & Management, 147(7), 1–14. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Lucy, J. (2019). The New Face of Urban America: Cities across America are enjoying once-in-a-lifetime urban renewal projects that pump billions of dollars into the electrical construction market. EC&M Electrical Construction & Maintenance, 118(5), C6–C8. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.
• Barnes Reports: Water & Sewer Line Construction Industry (NAICS 23711). (2019). United States Water & Sewer Line Construction Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database.

Business Market Research Collection (Proquest)

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Business Market Research Collection brings together four sources to help students more easily conduct the research they need to produce business plans, marketing plans, startup plans, market growth analysis, and strategic and financial plans. Includes access to: Hoover's Company Profiles, OxResearch, Barnes Reports, and the older Snapshots Series, which includes market research overviews on over 40 industries and 40 countries to 2008.

• (2023). Residential construction contractors - quarterly update 3/27/2023. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
• (2022). Framing Contractors - quarterly update 12/9/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

First Research Industry Profiles

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, or faculty you can access many of these reports through ABI/INFORM and/or Business Market Research Collection (Proquest).

Covers over 900 industry segments. Updated on a quarterly basis, these industry profiles contain critical analysis, statistics and forecasts to help you engage key prospects, coach key clients, and deepen customer relationships. You can search for reports by NAICS, SIC or keyword or browse by category.

• (2023). Residential construction contractors - quarterly update 3/27/2023. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.
• (2022). Framing Contractors - quarterly update 12/9/2022. Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from First Research Industry Profiles.

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• McGrath, S. (2022, January). Apartment & Condominium Construction in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23611BCA / CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• McGrath, S. (2022, September). Municipal Building Construction in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23622BCA / CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Gonzales, E. (2021, January). Commercial Building Construction in Canada / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23622aCA / CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• DellaCamera, C. (2022, October). Industrial Building Construction in Canada. / CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23621CA / CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database.
• Pigott, M. (2023, January). Construction in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23 / CONSTRUCTION. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Pigott, M. (2023, January). Commercial Building Construction in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23622A / CONSTRUCTION. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Clark, C. (2023, January). Industrial Building Construction in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23621 / CONSTRUCTION. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Al Bari, S. (2023, January). Apartment & Condominium Construction in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23611B  / CONSTRUCTION. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 
• Joskowski, E. (2023, January). Municipal Building Construction in the US / US INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23622B  / CONSTRUCTION. IBISWorld. Retrieved from IBISWorld database. 

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, January). Housing: Canada. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2023, March). Global Housing. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2021, June). Construction: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2022, May). Commercial Building Construction: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019, December). Global Construction Aggregates. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

Statista

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

A simple to use statistics portal that integrates statistics from thousands of sources, on topics related to business, media, public policy, health and others. Statistics can be exported in PPT, XLS, PDF, and PNG formats. Some basic content available for free.

•  
• (2022). Statista dossier on the construction market in Canada. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2022, November 30). Statista dossier on the construction industry in Canada- statistics and facts. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2022, June 28). Number of homes under construction in Canada 2001-2021. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2022, November 14). Annual growth rate of residential building construction prices in selected cities in Canada from 2017 to 2022. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2023, February 8). Project value of leading construction projects in Canada in 2019. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2023, February 17). Number of new housing starts in census metropolitan areas in Canada from 2016 to 2022, by province. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2022, November 14). Annual growth rate of building construction prices in metropolitan areas of Canada from 2017 to 2022, by type of building. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2023, March 3). Price index for residential and non-residential construction in Canada 2017-2022. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2022, November 11). Average weekly earnings in the construction industry in Canada as of August 2022, by province. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
•  

WARC: World Advertising Research Center

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

WARC has case studies from major companies and advertising agencies, as well as articles from leading advertising journals and unpublished papers. It also includes company profiles, advertising spending statistics, and demographic and economic data.

• Petio, C. (2020, May). US, Property and construction Ad/Sales Ratio. WARC: Data Points. Retrieved by WARC database.
• (2022). Owens Corning: Annual roof deployment project exceeds goal of helping 300th veteran. SABRE Awards: Gold, North America. Retrieved by WARC database.
• 2017. Ontario Road Builders’ Association: #SiteUnseen. SABRE Awards: Gold, North America. Retrieved by WARC database.

Newspapers and News Sources - UBC Library Research Guide

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link below. Individual resources and databases will have different access requirements.

UBC Library has an excellent collection of current and historical newspapers from B.C., Canada, and around the world. UBC affiliates will have access to these resources.

• Bozikovic, A. (2023, Apr 11). After demolition, building materials get a second life: Crews are finding new ways to reuse concrete, bricks and metal, which brings environmental and aesthetic benefits to new projects. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Conner, S. (2023, April 7). Our neighbourhoods: The shipyards district, reborn and revitalized. The Globe and Mail: Toronto. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Gold, K. (2023, Apr 07). Vancouver rental units: Harder to find, harder to build: The process to get approval to build new housing projects can take years. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Dingman, S. (2023, Apr 07). Tiny condos, form fitted: Built-ins come standard with developer’s studio units to maximize the use of smaller space. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Hughes, S. (2023, Apr 06). Toronto home prices rise as tight market increases competition; real estate; condo sales see largest growth in march. National Post. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Seyd, J. (2023, Apr 05). $23.7-million seismic upgrade completed; mountainside secondary. North Shore News. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Hughes, S. (2023, Apr 06). Toronto home prices rise as tight market increases competition; real estate; condo sales see largest growth in March. National Post. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 
• Dingman, S. (2023). A look at Tridel’s tiny, fully furnished condos: Built-ins come standard with developer’s 408 sq. ft apartments. The Globe and Mail Toronto. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database. 

In this section we have gathered some of the most popular information sources, such as trade journals, magazines, blogs, and association websites. Industry information is always changing. For the latest news, current issues and popular opinions, try following one or more of these sources. In addition, interacting with the websites that provide this information through commenting and asking questions may also provide you with more information.

Associations 

Trade associations often publish free industry newsletters that are excellent sources of information for your business plan. Such newsletters often have articles that cover in-depth topics on business management, manufacturing practices, how-tos, and current industry news.

• British Columbia Construction Association | The British Columbia Construction Association represents more than 2000 construction companies across the province, providing a voice for the organizations active in the industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-family construction industry.
• Canadian Construction Association | Across Canada, CCA represents more than 20,000 members firms drawn from 63 local and provincial integrated partner associations. CCA gives voice to the public policy, legal and standards development goals of contractors, suppliers and allied business professionals working in, or with, Canada’s heavy civil, and institutional, commercial and industrial construction industry.
• The Construction Institute of Canada | The Construction Institute of Canada was founded in 2003 by a group of Canadian construction industry executives. The primary objective of these founders was to create an organization that would promote and implement the highest possible standards of professionalism and ethical conduct throughout the Canadian construction industry.
• The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations | An umbrella organization for member provincial and territorial construction safety associations.
• Canadian Home Builders’ Association | The Canadian Home Builders’ Association provides information for Canadians when purchasing and/or renovating a home. Membership includes home builders, renovators, land developers, trade contractors, product and material manufacturers, building product suppliers, lending institutions, insurance providers, and service professionals.

Magazines & Trade Journals

Trade journals (often called magazines or trade publications) can be very useful in helping you find current articles relating to business research. Contact your local research library to determine which trade journal subscriptions they have. There are also free trade publications that you can access online. 

• Construction Global | Construction Global Magazine is the ‘Digital Community’ for the Construction Technology (ConTech) industry. Construction Global Magazine covers construction projects, digital construction, smart energy, facilities management and construction technology - connecting the world’s largest community of Construction executives. Construction Global Magazine focuses on construction news, key construction interviews, construction videos, the 'Construction Podcast' series along with an ever-expanding range of focused construction white papers and webinars.
• Construction Today | This must ­read publication covers timely issues such as the profound affect construction spending has on the U.S. economy, managing volatile material costs, LEED design and construction, emerging technologies such as BIM and work force retention.
• On Site | A magazine dedicated to delivering the leading construction new in Canada.

TIP: Try searching Ulrichs Periodical Directory to develop a list of important trade publications in your industry.

Consultant Websites

MarketWatch - Industry Analyzer | The Industries section contains current data on Dow Jones Industry Sectors. Aggregate data as well as company-specific data is available.

PriceWaterhouse Coopers Canada (PwC) | Global consultancy firm that produces reports on the state of various industries.

Firsthand | A free source of industry information. Use the Industry Profiles to research growing industries and best industries by major, and Company Rankings and Profiles to find news, company information, and industry-specific sample professions. Basic monthly membership is free and offers access to blogs, discussion forums, and job listings.

TIP: As with all sources, news articles and blogs should be carefully evaluated. For information on how to evaluate your information, watch video tutorial Module Five: Using Information Responsibly.

In this section we have gathered some of the most reliable freely available online government and employment websites for you to use in your research.

Canadian Websites

BC Stats | Current reports and statistics from British Columbia's central statistical agency including labour market information, economic statistics and bankruptcies. Start by searching their Industry section and narrowing by industry type or go to the Business, Industry & Trade page to skim all the different business-related topics.

• Construction

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

Canadian Industry Statistics (CIS) - Industry Canada | CIS analyses industry data on many economic indicators using the most recent data from Statistics Canada. CIS looks at industry trends and financial information, such as GDP, Labour Productivity, Manufacturing and Trade data.

• Summary - Canadian Industry Statistics - Construction

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada
Provides market research, industry statistics, licensing information for intellectual property, and information about doing business internationally. The Industry Canada site features interactive applications such as customizable trade reports, cost calculators, and online business planning guides. You can also search broad Canadian industry statistics.

• Construction

• Construction: Region of Western Canada and the Territories: 2019-2021

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Construction Key Indicators summarizes information such as total investments in building construction and capital expenditures.

WorkBC | Find current employment outlooks, labour market information, relevant links, and a geographic representation of the BC workforce. Start by searching your Industry Profile.

• Construction Industry and Outlook

• Construction Industry and Sector Information

BuildForce Canada
Originally created in 2001 as the Construction Sector Council, BuildForce Canada is a national industry-led organization committed to working with the construction industry to provide information and resources to assist with its management of workforce requirements.

US & International Websites

Small Business Administration: Free Small Business Data
This site is created and managed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides a list of free sources of information that you can use to obtain data about markets in the US.

Learn More About Compliance Issues

When it comes to starting a business, one of the first decisions you need to make is the legal structure of your business - sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited company. You'll also need to register your business and you'll need to be aware of many municipal, provincial or federal regulations. The websites in this section will help you.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Permits and Licenses Search
Search for the permits and licenses applicable to your industry and location to meet all federal, provincial and municipal regulations.

General Business Resources

BizPaL
This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licences that you may require to operate your business. All of the information that you provide is kept anonymous, and you may save or print your results for future reference.

Canada Revenue Agency - Business
This section of the Canadian federal tax agency's website contains important taxation and documentation requirements that businesses operating in Canada must adhere to.

• Keeping records
• Business Number (BN) registration
• Business expenses

Small Business BC (SBBC)
SBBC is a great place to start for information on BC specific regulations and guidelines, for whatever stage you are in your business development. This is a great post on the topic.

The Province of British Columbia
Provides information on programs and resources available to small business owners in British Columbia. Includes information on taxes and industry regulations. Start with the Permits, Licences & Registrations section.

Company Research Tips

An in-depth investigation and analysis of your competition is one of the most important components of a comprehensive market analysis. A competitive analysis allows you to assess your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in the marketplace, and to implement effective strategies to improve your competitive advantage. Here are some research strategies for doing your competitive analysis:

• Company directories can be used to create lists of competitors by industry, product line, size, etc.
• Doing a company name search in a general research database is an excellent way to learn more about your competitor’s products, services, prices, and media coverage.
• If your competitors are public companies, learn more about them by reading their financials and annual reports.
• News archives provide a range of competitive information on both public and private companies.
• Patents are a good way to learn about the technical and design features of a competitor's products. You can refer to this UBC Library Research Guide, created by UBC Engineering Librarians, if you are looking for patent information. Most of the resources listed are freely available.

For information on primary and secondary market research, as well as common sources for secondary market research, watch our video tutorial Module One: Introduction To Market Research.

Finding information on public companies is considerably easier than finding information on privately-held companies. Information on public companies is readily available online, or at your local library. Another good starting point is the list of resources in the next section of this Accelerator Guide: Find Competitors. Unlike public companies, private companies are not required to file with the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR). Searching for private company information is considerably more difficult and will require a lot of patience, and a healthy dose of creativity. 

Learning About Competitors

To create a list of competitors and find basic information about them (e.g. number of employees, contact information) you will need to consult business directories. Many directories are available online for free, while others are fee-based commercial databases. You can find directories that are particular to an industry or geography. Your local library will likely have a good collection of directories that you can consult in person.

For further information about secondary market research, see our video tutorial Module Two: Secondary Market Research for Industry Analysis.

If you know of some public companies in your industry, then annual reports can provide a great deal of useful financial information including sales volume, revenue increases, and total market share. You can search the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) for Canadian Company filings. If the competitor you are researching does business in the US, then you search the Security and Exchange Commissions equivalent, EDGAR, which provides free public access to corporate information including financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses and periodic reports filed on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. You also can find information about recent corporate events reported on Form 8-K that a company does not have to disclose to investors. You can use advanced search features to search by Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes.

Free Business Directories

CanadaOne - Canadian Business Directory
CanadaOne has a directory of over 20,000 Canadian businesses.

Federal Corporations Data Online 
Free searchable database of federally incorporated/registered companies.

Frasers
A comprehensive industrial directory and search tool, with information on products and services provided by Canadian industrial wholesalers, manufacturers, and distributors. You can search by product name, company name, or brand name.

• Construction Equipment Suppliers
• Construction Material Suppliers
• Construction Contractors
• Residential Construction Contractors
• Construction Management

D&B Hoovers
Provides information on 18 million US and international companies, both public and private. D&B Hoovers' reports are generated quickly, and are easy to read. A fair amount of information is provided for free, but much more is available with a paid subscription. If you know the company name or ticker symbol of any of the key players in your industry, try searching for their Hoovers records to find key information. Use the link above for free information or contact your local library to see if they provide access. Affiliates of UBC may have access. 

• Construction Industry

Proprietary Business Directories

Business in Vancouver, Book of Lists
Comprehensive collection of BC business data compiled annually as the popular BIV Book of Lists. Provides data on over 1000 companies including: websites, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, top executives' names, company age, revenues, profits and much more. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version (here are details on how to locate it) or you can get your own online subscription.

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

Reference Canada
Provides information on more than one million businesses throughout Canada. Includes name, address, phone number, contacts, number of employees, annual sales volumes, line of business, and credit rating. Vancouver Public Library subscribes to this online directory so check with your local library about access.

The Blue Book of Canadian Business
Detailed profiles for over 60 Canadian corporations, including missions/values, history, operations, social responsibility and executive biographies. Also contains directory type information for 2,500 Canadian companies, a ranking of the top 500 companies and a list of the top 400 Canadian stocks. UBC affiliates and in-person community researchers can obtain access to a print version of this periodical (here are details on how to locate it at UBC in Vancouver).

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

Mapping Competitors

Online maps such as Google Maps or Bing Maps and popular directories such as Yelp are a fast way to locate nearby competitors, and to get a better sense of the region your business operates within. Try searching for the name of your product or industry and narrowing your results by focusing the map on a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood.

SimplyAnalytics

This is an Internet-based mapping application that enables users to develop interactive thematic maps and reports using thousands of demographic, business, and marketing data variables. Check your local public or academic library for access. UBC affiliates can learn more and get access.

Trade Shows

Attending trade shows is an excellent way to learn more about your competitors. Contact local associations or read trade publications to find out what trade shows are coming to your community.

One thing you will need to do in the financials section of your business plan is discuss how you will price your products and/or services, and how this compares to your competitors. You will need to develop a financial plan that includes your projected revenues and net income. The following resources will help you find financial information on competitors in your industry.

Free Tools For Finding Financial Info

EDGAR
Filings with the US Securities & Exchange Commission by companies listed on US exchanges. 10-K Forms include detailed information on company history, structure, financial statements, and other relevant data.

SEDAR
A collection of corporate filings that are required by securities regulators, from companies operating in Canada. This website is an excellent source for information about a company's plans, competitive environment, markets, products, and assets. SEDAR is the Canadian equivalent of EDGAR.

Finding Benchmarks & Ratios

Ratios are tools that allow you to plan and assess your company's progress over time, and to compare it to other companies in the same industry. There are diferent kinds of ratios, including operating ratios, financial ratios, performance indicators, and benchmarks.

Financial Performance Data (formerly SME Benchmarking Tool)
Tool for benchmarking your financial reports with others in your sector. Website also includes a collection of financial data and annual reports of various Canadian companies. For instructions on using the Financial Performance Data click here. To create a report using Financial Performance data click here.

TIP: Remember to search using your NAICS code (eg. <236220>)

Financial Performance Indicators for Canadian Business
Offers current financial ratios by industry, based on data provided by Statistics Canada. The indicators are designed to serve as financial performance benchmarks against which individual firms and industries can be compared. Affiliates of UBC, UNBC, UVic and SFU have access through Abacus Dataverse. If you are visiting, please contact your local library about access.

 

Proprietary Tools For Finding Financial Info

UBC Company Research Guide
This research guide was created by UBC business librarians. Follow this link to go directly to the section of the guide that features various UBC Library electronic resources that are recommended for searching for financial information on competitors, such as credit rankings, stock prices and investment analyst reports. You can explore the navigation on the right-hand side to find more recommended research sources on the general topic of company research.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

Mergent Online
Provides access to detailed information on US and international companies. Data can be compared and exported into software applications such as Excel. Affiliates of UBC can learn more and get access.

Tools For Calculating Your Own Financials

• Financial Ratio Calculators - Business Development Canada
• Financial Ratios Calculator: Debt to Equity and Other Ratios - Canada One
• Business Calculators - GoForth Institute

Both market size and market share held by competitors are key factors when assessing the competitive environment. Keep in mind that there is no single source of market size and market share data. Market information is usually pieced together from various sources and is not often readily available for niche or emerging industries. One strategy is to combine a competitor's name or a comparable, established industry with the term market share in article databases or read market research reports. You will need to identify and describe your market – who your customers are and what the demand is for your products and services.

UBC Library Business Databases

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you may have access to business databases through the David Lam Management Research Library and Canaccord Learning Commons through the links below.

Full Listing By Title or Full Listing By Subject

There are two different ways to identify databases: Use "by title" if you already know the name; otherwise you can search the list "by subject" to find starting places for undertaking market research, finding articles or researching companies. To learn more about how you can access library resources if you are a community user or temporary visitor, check out the UBC Library Community Users & Visitors Guide. Community users and temporary visitors may have additional access restrictions to specific databases because of license agreements.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

ABI/INFORM Collection

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Created by ProQuest this database contains full-text articles from over 1,000 business magazines and journals that track business conditions, trends, management techniques, corporate strategies, and industry-specific topics.

• Canada infrastructure report - Q4 2020. (2020). (). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.

Business Source Ultimate

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Otherwise, contact your local library to see if they provide access.

Includes financial data, books, videos, company profiles, SWOT analyses, industry profiles, country reports, market research reports and case studies. Also includes information on industry trends, forecasts, outlooks, competitors, how to run a specific business and much more.

• Annibale, J. J., Banfai, G. R., Thompson, P., & Virgin, J. D. (2020). How to Prepare for the Post-COVID-19 World of Construction in Canada. Business Credit, 122(7), 10–11. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.

• MarketLine Industry Profile: Non-Residential Construction in Canada. (2018). Non-Residential Construction Industry Profile: Canada, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.

eMarketer

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource. Or, contact your local public or academic library for their access details.

Global market research and trend analysis database that focuses on Internet, e-business, online marketing, media, and emerging technologies.

IBISWorld Industry Reports

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

IBISWorld research is an independent, professional publisher of high-quality market research reports. These reports analyze the underlying structure and external forces that drive an industry.

• Gonzales, Eddie. (2020). Commercial Building Construction in Canada (CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23622ACA). IBISWorld Inc. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.

• Irigoyen, Santiago. (2019). Apartment & Condominium Construction in Canada (CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23611BCA) IBISWorld Inc. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.

• Gonzales, Eddie. (2020). Industrial Building Construction in Canada (CANADA INDUSTRY (NAICS) REPORT 23621CA). IBISWorld Inc. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports database.

Mergent Online

How to access: If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

Provides access to US and international public company data. This database also contains data on companies that were acquired, went bankrupt, liquidated or merged out of existence from 1995 forward. Users can compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

The resources listed in this section will help you identify population characteristics, and help you develop your customer profile. This research will also help you identify geographic areas where the largest number of your potential customers live. This can be very useful when determining a location for your business, and also when formulating your marketing strategy. Don't forget that trade associations and trade journals collect information about customers and can be great information sources for this area of your research.

Canadian Household Spending - Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the national statistical office. The agency ensures Canadians have the key information on Canada's economy, society and environment that they require to function effectively as citizens and decision makers.

This table provides statistical information about household expenditures by Canadians broken down into a variety of categories. You can refine the table by region. You can view the full list of data tables here. 

Census Profile - Statistics Canada
Provides Canadian community profiles from the latest Census of Canada. These profiles are very useful for comparing statistics on different municipalities or regional districts. Includes details on family characteristics, primary language, mobility, educational attainment, marital status, labour force activity, earnings, and mode of transportation to work.

 

Socio-Economic Profiles - BC Stats
The socio-economic profiles consist of charts and tables for the various regional districts, health areas, college regions and school districts. Each region contains a map, demographic profile, economic hardship, labour market structure, education concerns, crime, health problems, children at risk, and youth at risk. The profiles are presented in a format that allows comparison to other regions in the province and to BC overall.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

PCensus
Provides access to detailed Canadian demographic information including population, income, and spending levels by province, city, or postal code. PCensus can also generate custom reports using Census data. Contact Vancouver Public Library or your local research library to obtain access.

Library Resources

Access to the following sources may be available through your local public or academic library. For information on how to obtain a library card, and for additional information on using libraries in BC, please visit our Getting Access to Library Resources page.

Marketresearch.com/Freedonia Focus

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff, faculty or in-person library visitor you can access this resource.

While you can search this website only some Canadian libraries provide full-text access to the market research reports on industries and demographics for North American industries. They can range from 50 to 400+ pages in length, and contain charts, tables, and graphs, and key facts. Marketresearch.com has varied industry coverage and includes US and international information.

• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018 September). Housing Canada. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019 February). Roofing: Canada. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2019 August). Construction: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2017 December). Windows and Doors: Canada. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.
• Freedonia Focus Reports. (2018 November). Insulation: Canada. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic database.

Public Opinion Polls

Ipsos
Links to Canadian, U.S. and international polls. Includes polls on consumer goods.

Roper Center for Public Opinion
Preserves the data from polls conducted by many leading survey organizations for the use of researchers, students, and journalists. Includes a section on how to analyze polls. Only for those affiliated with UBC.

Primary Research

The main point of this guide is to introduce you to a wide range of secondary market research resources but keep in mind there is great value in analyzing other information including:

• Advertising, blogs and sales brochures
• Your personal network and employees
• Direct observation, focus groups and interviews with potential customers

Statistics Canada Data | Formerly known as CANSIM, Statistics Canada's key socioeconomic database is updated daily. It is free to search the data tables.

The Daily - Statistics Canada
The premier source for Canadian statistical information, including census information. Search 'The Daily' releases by subject to identify corresponding census tables, latest news, and publications. Similarly, you can browse by data source, including surveys & questionnaires relevant to your market research, which also link to census tables, latest news and publications.

• Construction - Key Indicators