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Business Communication -- MGMT 254W -- Final Project Assigned by Bryan Sappington -- Resource Guide: Use Databases

This resource guide was designed to assist you in locating good sources of information for researching an existing company and proposing a new product or service that meets a need in the market and provides the company a new revenue stream.

Using Databases

The library subscribes to several databases that contain information on individual companies.  See the sections below for links to access these databases and for information on how to locate company information in them. 

IBISWorld

You can search for company information by typing its name in the search bar.

You can also drop down the "Company Research" menu in the dark red banner at the top.  

  • Click on the link for "U.S. Company Benchmarking."
  • The companies included are arranged in alphabetical order.  
  • The U.S. Company Benchmarking Profiles analyze thousands of leading public and private companies. These profiles consist of an overview of the company and a breakdown of how it performs in the industries it operates in. Each profile includes company financials, an industry market share breakdown, an industry competitor matrix, SWOT analysis, Products and Services, and Key Company Benchmarks.  

Business Source Ultimate Database

Below are four ways to find company information in this database.

First Method:  Click on "Company Information" in the blue banner at the top. The search bar defaults to searching by company name, but you can change it to search by ticker symbol, parent company name, or keyword. 

Second Method:  Drop down the "More" menu in the blue banner at the top and then click on "Company Profiles" under it. Enter a company name in the search bar and click on the link for that company's MarketLine Report.  This is a long report with much information.

Third Method:  Type the company name in the first search box of the page that appears when you open the database.  Drop down the "Select a Field" menu to the right of where you typed the company name.  Then, click on "CO Company Entity."  

Fourth Method:  Type the company's ticker symbol in the first search box of the page that appears when you open the database.  Drop down the "Select a Field" menu to the right of where you typed the company name.  Then, click on "TK Ticker Symbol."

Nexis Uni Database

The "Company Dossier" section of Nexis Uni provides much information on individual companies, such as the link to their website as well as financial data, company news, company SWOT Analysis, Industry SWOT Analysis, other industry information, and much more.

To access the Company Dossier section. look for the "Menu" link next to the "Nexis Uni"  name displayed in the upper left corner of the screen.  Click on the "Menu" link and choose the option of "Company Dossier."  The company search field is set to search by "company name," but you can choose to search it by ticker symbol and some other options.  Search for the company you are researching and explore what is provided.

Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage Database

This database provides you access to Standard & Poor's company profiles, financials, stock reports, analysis, and more.

You can search for a company by entering its name or ticker in the search box at the top of any screen.  This search box is at the top of the screen.  

You can also search for a company by using the "Companies" tab in the blue banner near the top.

For this assignment, you may find the "Long Business Description" helpful.  It is under the "My Links" and "Company Summary" headings in the narrow left column of the screen.  Other sections may help too.