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

• Business Consultants.
• Business Services.
• Consultancy.
• Consulting Business..
• Consulting Firms– Management.
• Consulting Practice.
• Professional Services.
• Environmental Consultants.
• HR Consultants.
• IT Consultants.
• Management Consultants.
• Scientific and Economic Consultants.
• Consulting firms--Management--Case studies.
• Business consultants--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
• Consultants--Marketing--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
• 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.

• Agricultural Consultants Business Plan
• Auditing and Consulting Business Plan
• Business Consulting Business Plan
• Computer Consulting Business Plan
• Human Resources Consulting Business Plan
• Management Consulting Business Plan
• Marketing Consulting Business Plan
• Office Consulting 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.

• Actuarial Consulting Business Plan- Trenton Actuarial Partners, LP
• Business Consulting Firm Business Plan- Blake and Associates
• Cloud Consulting Business- Beecham Consulting
• Environmental Consulting Service- Dennis Environmental Consultants
• Green/Sustainability Consulting Firm Business Plan- Ward and O’Neill, Inc.
• Human Resources Consultant Business Plan- Anders Johnson LLC
• IT Tech Consulting Business Plan- Real Business Solutions
• Management Consulting Firm Business Plan- Salmon and Salmon
• Marketing Consultant Business Plan- Shapiro Consulting, LLC

 

SCORE

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

 

Are there any other business plan sources you can find? Try: https://www.carnegielibrary.org/services/help-for-businesses/entrepreneurs-and-small-businesses/business-plans-index/

 

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.

 

(Add Industry-specific funding/financing opportunities, if they can be used in more than 5 guides consider creating a snippet)

 

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.

 

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 type 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.

• (2022). Global Management Consulting Industry. Global Industry SnapShots. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• Michel, C., Sylvie, B., & Gagné, V. (2022). Sustainability performance indicator trends: A Canadian industry-based analysis. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 7(1). Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• Management consulting market size and share 2022 | global industry growth factors, future demands, emerging trends, key players, business opportunity, development strategy, business prospect and 2029 forecast | market reports world: Management consulting market report focuses on the management consulting market size, segment size (mainly covering product type, application, and geography), competitor landscape, recent status, and development trends. Furthermore, the report provides strategies for companies to overcome threats posed by COVID-19. (2022, Jun 29). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• With market size valued at $48 billion by 2026, it`s a healthy outlook for the global human resources consulting services market. (2022, Jun 27). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• Risk management consulting services market research report by type, by end-users, by region - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19: Risk management consulting services market research report by type (financial risks, network risk, and operational risk), by end-users (large enterprise and SME), by region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle east & Africa) - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19. (2022, Mar 30). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• Management decision market research report by component, by deployment type, by end-user industry, by region - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19: Management decision market research report by component (consulting, deployment & integration, and services), by deployment type (cloud and on-premises), by end-user industry, by region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19. (2022, Feb 23). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• SNC-Lavalin provided consulting and advisory services for the U.S. federal emergency management agency's first-ever building codes strategy. (2022, May 17). Canada NewsWire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• Global management consulting services industry: Global management consulting services market to reach $179. 9 billion by 2027. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for management consulting services estimated at US$146. 1 billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$179. (2021, Feb 03). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM 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.

• 10EQS Consulting Services North America, Inc. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
• 11 Rivers Consulting Services LLC. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
• Crown Capital Partners, Inc (TSX: CRWN).. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
• Mallard, Brian and Associates. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online 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, May). Design, Research, Promotional And Consulting Services Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB206G]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• TBRC. (2022, May). Management Consulting Services Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB208G]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• TBRC. (2022, May). Environmental Consulting Services Market Global Briefing 2022. [Report Code MKB201G]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.
• TBRC. (2020, November). Design, Research, Promotional And Consulting Services Investment Competitor Outlook 2020: Covid-19 Impact and Recovery. [Report Code MKB201E]. Retrieved from BCC Research Centre database.

 

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.

• Barnes Reports: Administrative Management Consulting Svcs (NAICS 541611). (2022). United States Administrative Management Consulting Service Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Barnes Reports: Management Consulting Services Industry (NAICS 54161). (2022). United States Management Consulting Services Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Ribes, E. (2021). What does labor displacement mean for management consulting firms? Management Research Review, 44(5), 806–822. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Barnes Reports: Human Resources Consulting Services (Naics 541612). (2018). United States Human Resources & Executive Search Consulting Services Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Holt, D., & Kalaiselvam, N. (2022). CFRA Industry Surveys: IT Consulting & Other Services. Industry Survey: Information Technology Consulting, 1–56. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Creelman, D. (2018). Watch out for the “HR snake oil salesmen”: How evidence-based management will change consulting. HR Future, 1, 12–13. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Bortz, D. (2021). Tips for Becoming an Hr Consultant. HR Magazine, 66(1), 85–87.
• MarketLine Industry Profile: Management & Marketing Consultancy in Canada. (2019). Management & Marketing Consultancy Industry Profile: Canada. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Higgins, B. (2018). The business case for Indigenous inclusivity in the board room. Canadian Mining Journal, 139(7), 12. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Creelman, D. (2019). How HR can be more business savvy: To get taken seriously, HR must start with the business case, not the “HR case.” HR Future, 4, 12–13. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 

 

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.

• Consulting services - quarterly update 4/25/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Human resources consulting services - quarterly update 6/20/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Environmental consulting services - quarterly update 6/20/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• Scientific research & development services - quarterly update 6/6/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• Professional services sector - quarterly update 4/25/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• Business intelligence software - quarterly update 6/27/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• 2022 worldwide management consulting services industry-industry & market report. (2021). (). Bonita Springs: Barnes Reports. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 

 

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, E. (2021, December). Management Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54161CA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• DellaCamera, C. (2021, November). IT Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54151CA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Gonzales, E. (2022, February). HR Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54161bCA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Kanda, S. (2022, June). Scientific and Environmental Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54169CA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, S. (2021, April). Environmental Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54162CA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Diment, D. (2021, September). IT Consulting in the US. US Industry (NAICS) Report 54151 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Schulman, G. (2021, September). Management Consulting in the US. US Industry (NAICS) Report 54161 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Ristoff, J. (2021, August). Environmental Consulting in the US. US Industry (NAICS) Report 54162 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Guirguis, J. (2022, January). IT Security Consulting in the US. US Specialized Industry Report OD4584 | Technology. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Kennedy, K. 2021, August). HR Consulting in the US. US Industry (NAICS) Report 54161B | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Ristoff, J. (2022, June). HR Consulting in the US. US Industry (NAICS) Report 54169 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. 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. (2022, May). Management Consulting 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.

• Consulting services - quarterly update 4/25/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Human resources consulting services - quarterly update 6/20/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection.
• Environmental consulting services - quarterly update 6/20/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• Scientific research & development services - quarterly update 6/6/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• Professional services sector - quarterly update 4/25/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• Business intelligence software - quarterly update 6/27/2022. (2022). (). Fort Mill, South Carolina: Mergent. Retrieved from Business Market Research Collection. 
• 2022 worldwide management consulting services industry-industry & market report. (2021). (). Bonita Springs: Barnes Reports. 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.

• (2022, January 11). Operating profit margin in management consulting services industry in Canada from 2012 to 2019. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022, January 11). Total salaries, wages, commissions and benefits paid in management consulting services industry in Canada from 2012 to 2019. Statista Research Department.Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022, January 11). Share of management, scientific and technical consulting services sales in Canada from 2013 to 2019, by type. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022, January 11). Operating revenue of management consulting services in Canada from 2012 to 2019 (in billion Canadian dollars). Statista Research Department.. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022, January 11). Operating expenses of management consulting services in Canada from 2012 to 2019, (in billion Canadian dollars). Statista Research Department.. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022, January 11). Share of consulting services sales in Canada 2013-2019, by client type. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022, February 7). Global consulting services industry- statistics and facts. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database.
• (2022, March 21). Consulting market size in Canada 2015-2020. Statista Research Department. Retrieved from Statista database. 
• (2022, February 7). Statista dossier on Deloitte. 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.

• Gibbs, I. (2022, May 10). Marketing effectiveness double jeopardy. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• Feller, G, & Tomasevic, L. (2020). The power of bad: Turning bad news into transformative stories for businesses and brands. ESOMAR Insights Festival 2020. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2020, October 27). How PwC is boosting diversity and inclusion. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• Precourt, G. (2020). PwC provides model for identifying- and correcting- internal D&I weaknesses. WARC Event Reports: Association of National Advertisers Masters of B2B Conference 2020. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center database. 
• (2017, August 25). AI could threaten consulting firms. WARC. Retrieved from WARC: World Advertising Research Center 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.

• (2022, June 22). CACHE Consulting and Beyond Technologies join forces to serve the public sector in their next big Digital Transformation Wave. Canada Newswire: Ottawa. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• Van Praet, N. (2022, June 1). Canadian engineering firm WSP Global to buy John Wood Group’s environment consulting business for US$1.8-billion: The deal cements the engineering giant’s position as one of the world’s dominant players in the fast-growing sustainable development industry. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• (2022, April 12). Altitude Accelerator Partners with Scan Consulting Group to Provide Strategic Business Advisory Services for Startups. Canada Newswire: Ottawa. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream database.
• Laidlaw, K. (2022, April 29). How Accenture’s AJ Fernandez Rivera is trailblazing trans representation in tech leadership: Almost everything the managing director has done over more than 20 years at the global consulting giant has been daunting and inspiring — including coming out as a trans woman. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from Canadian Newsstream 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

• Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC) | ACEC is a not-for-profit organization. Its members provide independent advice and expertise in a wide-range of engineering fields. Start with their ACEC Publications. 

  Association of Independent Consultants (AiConsult) | AiConsult provides IT consulting services. These services include: managed IT services, search engine optimization, digital marketing services, social media marketing, and custom software for 360 degree employee review feedback.

  Association of Professional Canadian Consultants (APCC) | APPC is a not-for-profit professional association that supports independent contractors in Canada through advocacy, professional development, and idea exchange. They produce several different categories of resources for members. Start with Resources on Industry Insights, Tools, Submissions, and Articles.

  Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CMC) | CMC fosters excellence and integrity in the management consulting profession, and administers the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation in Canada. The British Columbia chapter resides in Vancouver. Read their Code of Professional Conduct and find out how to make the most of your CMC designation.

International Associations

• Institute of Management Consultants USA | IMC USA provides skills and tools to support its members so that they are able to build and maintain better consulting businesses. IMC USA also issues the CMC (Certified Management Consultant) certification.

  Management Consultancies Association (MCA) | MCA is a UK-based trade association that promotes the value of consulting to the private and public sector, the media, and general public.

  International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (CMC-Global) | CMC-Global promotes the profile, recognition of the consulting professional and its practitioners worldwide.

 

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.

Canadian Consulting Engineer | Recommended for professional engineers working as consultants. It is the only engineering magazine in Canada with coverage of structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

Consulting Magazine | Geared toward management consultants. Articles cover innovative ideas, business strategies, client performance, career options, and guidance. Published bi-monthly.

McKinsey Quarterly | Topics include business strategy, technology, finance, and management. Articles are written by current and former McKinsey consultants and draw from contemporary client research. The journal publishes four standard issues and two themed feature issues per year.

Harvard Business Review | Covers the latest thinking on management, diversity, strategy, and leadership. Subscribers receive unfettered access to website content, including a treasure trove of data and visuals. 

 

 

Consultant & Other Websites

Capgemini |Global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation.

Deloitte | Multinational professional services network. In Canada, Deloitte provides several services including auditing and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, and tax-related advice.

Ernst & Young | Multinational professional services firm specializing in assurance, advisory, tax, and transaction services.

KPMG International | Global network of independent member firms that offer audit, tax, and advisory services to clients.

McKinsey & Company | Global consultancy firm that specializes in helping clients achieve transformational change.

The Burnie Group | Management consulting firm and one of Canada’s fastest growing companies. It specializes in helping clients develop innovative strategies for improving business operations.

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.

• Consulting
• Management and Strategy Consulting
• Staffing and Human Resources Consulting
• Financial Consulting
• Information Technology Consulting
• Human Resource Consultants
• Information Technology Consultants
• Information Technology Security Consultants 
• Management Analysts and Consultants

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 

Actionable | Management software company Actionable maintains this blog dedicated to helping solo consultants and boutique firms manage radical shifts in the professional landscape and in their work, from the rise of startups to the ubiquity- and necessity- of social media. Check out their writings on increasing participant commitment in your sessions and culture building.

Irresistible Consulting Moments | Consultant David A. Fields’ writings are geared toward the boutique firms and solo consultants that he helps in his practice. He writes on a variety of topics, including winning larger projects and client retention versus finding new clients. 

Consulting Success | Consulting Success channels the entrepreneurial journey of building a consulting business from the ground up in the form of easily digestible posts on the topic. Start with articles such as How to Write Your Consulting Firm’s Mission Statement or How to Create, Sell, and Improve Your Consulting Offers.

Consultant’s Mind | John Kim’s consulting blog shares the tips and tricks he’s learned in his 20 years of strategic management, management consulting, and healthcare strategy. If you’re just starting out on your consulting journey, check out his statement for new consultants.

Podcasts

The Strategy Skills Podcast | The Strategy Skills Podcast is the channel where strategy partners teach you the tools and techniques to solve mankind’s greatest problems. Skilled consultants, management professionals and partners, and CEOs of firms come together to speak on topics such as conceptual thinking and relational intelligence. 

The Art of Consulting | Two seasoned IT consultants teach tips, tricks, and strategies to improve your career, confidence and lifestyle. They reveal the secrets to their longevity and success in the industry through conversation with each other as well as other successful IT consultants. 

Craft of Consulting | Consulting is a craft, or so Deb Zhan believes. Join her as she interviews guests or talks about topics related to being a successful consultant, including how to hone one’s critical consulting skills such as behavior change, change management, and effective communication. 

The McKinsey Podcast | The McKinsey Podcast on Business and Management features topics ranging from leadership and change management to digital, analytics and deep-dives into specific regions and industries.

 

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.

TIP: Even when the exact industry you are looking for is not mentioned by name on BC Stats, you can look at their Small Business Profile to get a feel for the overall landscape of small business in the province. Here’s their Small Business Profile 2021.

 

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 

 

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.

• 5416- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
• 54161- Management consulting services
• 54162- Environmental consulting services
• 54169- Other scientific and technical consulting services

 

City of Vancouver’s Open Data Portal

How to access: The guide can be viewed through the link above and is free to use.

The Government of Canada routinely collects vast quantities and kinds of information on a diverse spectrum of topics. Now the City of Vancouver is making this information available to the public in a single concise searchable portal called Open Data 101. This data is accessible to the public and structured in an easy to understand format.

 

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.

• (Search [http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/icgc.nsf/eng/home] and if there’s anything relevant include it here)

 

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.

• Expected changes in spending habits during the recovery period
• Consulting Services Price Index, fourth quarter 2021
• Consulting Services 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.

• Labour Market Information: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Professional occupations in business management consulting (NOC 1122)
• Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)
• Business development officers and marketing research and consultants (NOC 4163)

 

Open Government Canada | Canada’s Open Government initiative makes government more accessible to everyone. 30,000 pieces of data and digital records are available to the public through the Open Government license, including contracts, business records, and datasets on myriad industries. 

• Consulting services industry expenditures
• Consulting services, summary statistics
• Consulting services, breakdown of sales
• Consultation training

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

• Consultants
• Consulting Services

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. 

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Management, Scientific, and Technical Services

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.

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. 541611 for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.)

 

 

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.

 

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.

• Management consulting market size and share 2022 | global industry growth factors, future demands, emerging trends, key players, business opportunity, development strategy, business prospect and 2029 forecast | market reports world: Management consulting market report focuses on the management consulting market size, segment size (mainly covering product type, application, and geography), competitor landscape, recent status, and development trends. Furthermore, the report provides strategies for companies to overcome threats posed by COVID-19. (2022, Jun 29). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• With market size valued at $48 billion by 2026, it`s a healthy outlook for the global human resources consulting services market. (2022, Jun 27). PR Newswire. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• Risk management consulting services market research report by type, by end-users, by region - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19: Risk management consulting services market research report by type (financial risks, network risk, and operational risk), by end-users (large enterprise and SME), by region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle east & Africa) - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19. (2022, Mar 30). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.
• Management decision market research report by component, by deployment type, by end-user industry, by region - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19: Management decision market research report by component (consulting, deployment & integration, and services), by deployment type (cloud and on-premises), by end-user industry, by region (Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa) - global forecast to 2027 - cumulative impact of COVID-19. (2022, Feb 23). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database. 
• Global management consulting services industry: Global management consulting services market to reach $179. 9 billion by 2027. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for management consulting services estimated at US$146. 1 billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$179. (2021, Feb 03). NASDAQ OMX's News Release Distribution Channel. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM database.

 

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.

• Barnes Reports: Administrative Management Consulting Svcs (NAICS 541611). (2022). United States Administrative Management Consulting Service Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Barnes Reports: Management Consulting Services Industry (NAICS 54161). (2022). United States Management Consulting Services Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate database. 
• Barnes Reports: Human Resources Consulting Services (Naics 541612). (2018). United States Human Resources & Executive Search Consulting Services Industry Report, 1–196. Retrieved from Business Source Ultimate 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.

• DellaCamera, C. (2021, November). IT Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54151CA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Gonzales, E. (2022, February). HR Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54161bCA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• Kanda, S. (2022, June). Scientific and Environmental Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54169CA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. Retrieved from IBIS World Industry Reports database.
• McGrath, S. (2021, April). Environmental Consulting in Canada. Canada Industry (NAICS) Report 54162CA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services in Canada. 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. (2022, May). Management Consulting Services: United States. 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. Enhanced features enable users to compare companies and export data into programs like Excel.

• 10EQS Consulting Services North America, Inc. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
• 11 Rivers Consulting Services LLC. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
• Crown Capital Partners, Inc (TSX: CRWN).. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.
• Mallard, Brian and Associates. Mergent Online. Retrieved from Mergent Online database.

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.

 

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.

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, May). Management Consulting Services: United States. Marketresearch.com Academic. Retrieved from Marketresearch.com Academic 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. 

• (2021, July 20). Country Report: Business and Management Consultancies in Canada: ISIC 7414. Euromonitor International. Retrieved from Passport GMID database. 
• (2022, June 8). Global Overview of the Business Services Industry. Euromonitor International. Retrieved from Passport GMID 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

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.

• Consulting services, 2020