Find Books

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

• Export marketing.
• Exports -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
• Import quotas -- Canada.
• International trade.
• Business planning.
• New business enterprises -- Management.
• Small business -- Management.

 

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). 

Find Business Plans

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.

Bplans has a list of sample business plans relating to the Import and Export industry. Below are a few examples available.

• Import Export Business Plan - Visigoth Imports Inc.
• Coffee Export Business Plan - Silvera and Sons 
• Ethnic Food Import Business Plan - Aztec Food Imports
• Furniture Import Business Plan - Poppi Designs

 

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.

• Import/Export Store. (2014). In S. D. Hill (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 29, pp. 97-119). Gale. 
• Import Export Company. (2014). In S. D. Hill (Ed.), Business Plans Handbook (Vol. 30, pp. 121-135). Gale. 

 

SCORE
SCORE is a non profit association helping small businesses. Their library includes templates for business plans, SWOT analysis, financial projections and more.

 

Business Plan Template And Cash Flow Forecasting Tool
Our friends at Small Business BC provide two valuable tools in one download: the first is a well-structured business plan template that will help communicate what you plan to do, and how you plan to do it, while the second is a spreadsheet you can fill in to, among other things, project costs and expenses using common line items. These tools will set you on your way to being able to present your business plan to funders. 

 

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.

Find Capital

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.

Other 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.

CanExport

CanExport offers different levels of funding support for exporters, innovators, associations and communities focused on developing Canada’s export opportunities.

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 comes 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.

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

• Fundica
• Funding and Grants Database
• Innovation Canada

Industry Codes: 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.

Start With These Suggestions

​​

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.

Library Databases

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.

 

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.

• Cargo shipping market size to hit 13.19 billion tons by 2028 | rising demand of import and export to bolster growth: Fortune business insights™: Cargo shipping market to surge considerably; stringent emission norms to foster industry growth: Fortune business insights™. (2022, Mar 15). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Canada logistics & freight transport report - Q2 2022. (2022). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Canada freight transport & shipping report - Q4 2021. (2021). London: Fitch Solutions Group Limited. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.

 

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.

 

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.

• Argitis, T. (2022). Canada’s Trade Surplus Unexpectedly Narrows as Imports Surge. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG.
• Bahmani, O. M., & Harvey, H. (2022). The U.S.‐Canadian trade and exchange rate uncertainty: Asymmetric evidence from commodity trade. World Economy, 45(3), 841–866. https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.13206
• Hagan, S. (2021). Export Boom Drives Canada’s Largest Trade Surplus Since 2014. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG.
• Cardoso, M., & Malloy, B. (2021). Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trade between Canada and the United States. Canadian Public Policy, 47(4), 554–572. https://doi.org/10.3138/cpp.2021-028
• Hagan, S. (2020). Canada Trade Gap Narrows on “First Baby Step” to Recovery. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG.
• E-commerce technology: ShipHero offers Canadian route for low-value shipments. (2022). JoC Online, N.PAG.
• TOLCHIN, E. G. (2020). Going International: SHOULD YOU USE A CUSTOMS BROKER, OR A FREIGHT FORWARDER? Inventors’ Digest, 36(3), 36–37.

   

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.

• Wholesale Sector Industry Profile 
• Webb, M., Gibson, J., & Strutt, A. (2019). Market access implications of non‐tariff measures: Estimates for four developed country markets. The World Economy, 42(2), 376-395. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.12706
• Canada posts trade surplus for january: Swing into surplus after december deficit comes as total imports fall 7.4%. (2022, Mar 09). Toronto Star Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/canada-posts-trade-surplus-january/…

 

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.

• Canada Business Environment Profiles Report CA140: Import penetration into the manufacturing sector. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports. 
• Canada Business Environment Profiles Report CA008: Total exports. Retrieved from IBISWorld Industry Reports.

 

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. (2021, April). Freight Services: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic 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.

• Export development canada. (2021). Fort Mill: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• CANADA: Trade deals may diversify export destinations. (2014, Apr 09). OxResearch Daily Brief Service Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.

   

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.

• O’Neill, A. (2022, Mar. 29). Main import partners for Canada 2019. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• O’Neill, A. (2022, Mar. 1). Import of goods into Canada 2020. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.
• O’Neill, A. (2022, Mar. 29). Main export partners for Canada 2019. Statista. Retrieved from Statista database.

Industry News

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.

Canadian Associations

• Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (IE Canada) | IE Canada represents and educates Canadian importers and exporters and advocates on their behalf. The association represents importers and exporters of virtually every commodity and trade-related service.
• Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) | FITT develops international business programs, sets competency standards, and designs trade-related certification and accreditation programs. Check out the FITT Resources page.
• Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB) | The CSCB is an organization that represents the interests of Canada's customs brokers.

International Associations

• American Association of Exporters (AAEI) | US-based association that advocates on behalf of member companies by lobbying US Congress and Executive agencies to improve importing and exporting policies. Check out the AAEI Resources page.
• Professional Association of Exporters and Importers (P.A.E.I.) | An organization of professionals involved in import/export activities, its aim is to promote and foster the role of the import/export professional through ongoing education relative to regulatory issues, the exchange of information, and enhance industries’ participation in import/export control issues and policies.

 

Magazines & Trade Journals

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

• Journal of Commerce (JOC) | Journal focused on international trade and transportation. The site includes a Tools and Resources section for white papers and podcasts. 
• Entrepreneur Magazine | Entrepreneur Magazine is the premier source for everything small business. Review their page How to Start an Import/Export Business.
• Foreign Trade Online | Foreign Trade Online is a B2B trade portal with foreign trade, import and export information.
• Global Trade Magazine | This U.S. based magazine published monthly focuses on companies doing business globally. Take a look at the Import and Export section of the page for current conditions, global events affecting the industry and forecasts.
• CanadExport | The official magazine of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, the magazine provides latest export news and tips and brings you trade-related insights, events and opportunities for doing business globally.

 

Consultant & Other Websites

Canada Export Centre | Canada Export Centre consults with clients on a number of topics related to international business such as generating direct international sales, lowering manufacturing costs, and more.

Export Development Canada | Export Development Canada assists Canadian companies expand to internationally. They work with companies understand export knowledge and financial solutions they need to succeed in global markets.

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.

Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre | This free resource created by the Vancouver Public Library is an online and in-person resource that helps newcomers to Canada find information to get a job, explore different careers or start a business.

 

Blogs & Discussion Forums 

• CanadExport | The Government of Canada’s CanadExport lists several podcasts that speaks about different topics in the import and export industry including insurance and funding.
• Export Development Canada | Online webinars and on-demand webinars are facilitated by industry experts who speak on a variety of trade topics to help you make informed decisions.
• Global Trade Magazine Podcast | Each episode of the Global Trade Magazine podcast highlights a different special guest to provide insight on regulations, logistics and shipping. This podcast mostly speaks to an American audience.

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.

Government Websites

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.

• Trade (Exports and Imports)
• Trade Resources
• International Business

 

Government of Canada - Business and Industry | The Government of Canada's comprehensive page for business and industry guides you through important information on starting a business. You will find necessary permits and information on tax and regulation, as well as advice on how to protect your intellectual property through copyright or trademark, a primer for selling to the federal government, information on importing and exporting goods, and advice on managing and protecting your business operations. 

• Starting a business 
• Overview of federal government Services for Small Business 
• Importing into Canada

 

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.

• Wholesale Trade - 41 
• Business-to-business electronic markets, and agents and brokers - 419

 

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.

• Canada Importer’s Database
• Importing goods into Canada
• Export commercial goods

 

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.

• Canadian international merchandise trade, March 2022
• Trade by exporter and importer characteristics: Goods, 2020

 

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

• International Growth

 

Trade Commissioner Service | Trade Commissioner Service helps Canadian businesses grow with confidence by connecting them with funding and support programs, international opportunities, and a network of trade commissioners in over 160 cities worldwide.

 

Canada’s State of Trade 2020 | Canada’s State of Trade 2020 report gives Canadians a snapshot of the country’s economic activities in 2019 while recognizing the global uncertainty of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

• Know the import and export laws and regulations
• Develop your export plan

 

United States Government - Importing and Exporting | Find information about importing, exporting, licensing and permits in the US.

 

United States Census Bureau |  The United States Census Bureau’s page on Foreign Trade is the official source for U.S. export and import statistics and responsible for issuing regulations governing the reporting of all export shipments from the United States.

 

Office of the United States Trade Representative | Find US information on trade topics and trade agreements.

Regulations

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.

• Trade Data Online

Global Affairs Canada - Export and Import Controls

This comprehensive page provides up-to-date information on controlled products and how to obtain the necessary permits and certificates.

General Business Resources

Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)
The CBSA ensures the security and prosperity of Canada by managing the access of people and goods to and from Canada. The CBSA website includes important regulatory information for importers, exporters, and service providers.

• Importing Goods into Canada
• Exporting Commercial Goods
• Customs Tariffs 2022 
• Trade facilitation, compliance and incentives

 

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.

• International Trade for Small Businesses

 

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.

• British Columbia Import Export Guide - 2016

 

BC Business Registry

British Columbia's online Business Registry is a self-serve application allowing small business owners to complete provincial registrations or incorporations of their business, file name requests on behalf of their business, and store maintenance filings required by British Columbia. Anyone with a BC Registries account may also search for existing businesses and clients, providing access to business information and filings for co-operatives, benefit companies, sole proprietorships, and general partnerships. Use the Business Structures Wizard to help you!

Tips on Company Research

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. 

Find Competitors

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

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.

• Import Suppliers
• Export Suppliers

 

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. 

• Tip: The import/export field is broad so try narrowing your search term to the specific import and/or export industry you’re researching. For example, use a search term such as coffee import.

 

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.

 

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).

 

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.

 

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 Your 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.

10Times.com | The largest worldwide online directory of trade fairs, business exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and seminars for various industries. Search for trade shows by industry, country, date, organizer, or venue.

American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) Expo | This annual conference discusses the latest trade issues that impact the trade community.

World Ports Conference | Established by the International Association of Ports and Harbors this conference brings together government officials, operators and associations involved or interested in the field of ports, logistics, and maritime.)

Find Financial Benchmarks

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. NAICS Code 41)

 

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

Market Share & Size

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.

 

Other Library Resources

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.

• The global trade finance market was valued at $39714.2 million in 2018 and is expected to reach $56,065.6 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 3.79% from 2019 to 2026: Trade finance market by product type (supply chain finance and export & agency finance), service providers (banks, trade finance houses, and others), and end user (exporters, importers, and traders): Global opportunity analysis and industry forecasts, 2019-2026. (2020, Feb 06). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Binkley, A. (2019, Jul 02). 75% of canadian food exports go to just four markets; agrifood exports are constrained by a lack of investment, says export development canada. Ontario Farmer. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Parkinson, D. (2019, Jun 13). Canada-U.S. trade relationship is back to normal, but it's nowhere near free: While formal pacts eliminate vast bulk of duties, statscan study finds goods still face 'tariff equivalent' cost of 30 per cent when crossing the border. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Export navigator expanded to support regional exporters. (2019, Apr 23). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Mackrael, K. (2018, Apr 05). Canada's trade deficit widened in february on higher imports; import, export gains retraced some of previous month's sharp declines. Wall Street Journal (Online). Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Vieira, P. (2019, Aug 02). Canada exports, imports fall in june; exports decline 5.1%, the biggest drop in two years; economy manages to record small trade surplus. Wall Street Journal (Online). Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Collection.
• Ojala, M. (2018). Import/Export statistical data. Online Searcher, 42(6), 63-65. 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.

• Fahmy, H. (2019). Classifying and modeling nonlinearity in commodity prices using Incoterms. Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 28(8), 1019–1046. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
• Argitis, T. (2022). Canada’s Trade Surplus Unexpectedly Narrows as Imports Surge. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
• Hagan, S. (2021). Export Boom Drives Canada’s Largest Trade Surplus Since 2014. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
• Cardoso, M., & Malloy, B. (2021). Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trade between Canada and the United States. Canadian Public Policy, 47(4), 554–572. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.
• Hagan, S. (2020). Canada Trade Gap Narrows on “First Baby Step” to Recovery. Bloomberg.Com, N.PAG. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate.

 

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.

• Bourne, J. (2022, Mar. 30). Tech companies work to save the world from supply chain crisis. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• (2022, Mar. 1). US Small and Medium-Sized B2Bs Conducting International Trade, Dec 2019-Dec 2021. Retrieved from eMarketer database.

 

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.

• (2022, Apr.). Canadian Business Environment Profiles Report CA010: Total trade value. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• (2022, Apr.). Canadian Business Environment Profiles Report CA008: Total exports. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• (2022, Apr.). Canadian Business Environment Profiles Report CA009: Total imports. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• (2022, Mar.). Canadian Business Environment Profiles Report CA140: Import penetration into the manufacturing sector. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, S. (2022, Feb.). Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 48851CA/Transportation and Warehousing in Canada: Freight Forwarding Brokerages & Agencies in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• (2022, Mar.). US Business Environment Profiles Report B204: Total exports. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• (2022, Jan.). US Business Environment Profiles Report I403: Import penetration into the manufacturing sector. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• (2022, Mar.). US Business Environment Profiles Report B205: Total imports. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports 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. (2021, Apr.). Freight Services: United States. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com.

 

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.

Demographic Data

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.

 

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.

• Trade by exporter and importer characteristics: Goods, 2021
• Value added in exports, 2020
• Monthly trade in goods by exporter characteristics, December 2020
• Trade by exporter and importer characteristics: Services, 2019

 

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.

Your Target Market

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.

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.

• Goetzmen, N. (2021, Jan. 12). Cross-border purchases are still low in the US but growing steadily. Retrieved from eMarketer database.
• Stambor, Z. (2022, April 28). Consumer spending grew 2.7% in Q1. Retrieved from eMarketer database.

 

Passport GMID (formerly Global Market Information Database)

How to access: Check your local public or academic library to see about access. If you are a UBC student, staff or faculty member you can access this resource. Please note this is not available for walk-in library users.

Passport GMID, produced by Euromonitor, is an integrated information system providing business intelligence on country economies and demographics, consumers, lifestyles, companies and industries. 

• Rude, J. (2021, Mar. 5). Economy, Finance and Trade: Canada. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• (2019, Jun. 5). Global Economic Forecast Q2 2019. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Economies and Consumers Quarterly Data: Trade Balance as % of GDP Canada. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Economies and Consumers Quarterly Data: Trade Balance Canada. Retrieved from Passport GMID database.
• Economies and Consumers Monthly Data: Trade Balance Canada. Retrieved from Passport GMID 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.

• Euromonitor International. (2022, Feb.). Top business risks in 2022: Omicron, supply chain and inflation. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database.
• WARC Awards for Effectiveness. (2021). Export Development Canada: Business as unusual. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center 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.

• Trade in goods by importer characteristics, by enterprise employment size and number of partner countries
• Trade in goods by exporter characteristics, by enterprise employment size and number of partner countries

 

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.

Tip: The International Trade section of The Daily provides statistics on various areas of trade. For example:

• Canadian international merchandise trade, March 2022
• Trade by exporter and importer characteristics: Goods, 2021