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.
Other Business Directories
AVITUS- The Directory of Canadian Genealogical Resources
AVITUS is a directory which provides descriptions of genealogical institutions and other genealogical related resources. The directory contains resources which are of interest to genealogists, names of institutions and organizations involved in genealogy, and information resources created and provided by the Government of Canada.
eXpertGenealogy.com
This website lists independent companies and individuals who provide genealogy-related products and services.
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
A massive categorized and cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the Internet.
Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) - Directory
The APG Directory enables users to search for professional genealogists in a variety of ways including by Name, Location, Specialty, and Service.
Library and Archives Canada
Provides information and is a resource for Canadians to access heritage documents. Library and Archives Canada’s database compiles publications, archival records, sound and audio-visual materials, photographs, artworks and electronic documents. You can search the Hiring a Freelance Research by narrowing down to the type of research.
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.
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.
Ontario Genealogical Society Conference | This conference provides genealogists with the opportunity to attend workshops, and connect with other researches, speakers, exhibitors and vendors