HOW TO FIND RELEVANT BUSINESS INFORMATION.
When you're researching, the aim has to be to find free, up-to-date, relevant and reliable information as quickly as possible. Wading through numerous sites, many of which are out of date, and full of adverts, can be time consuming with very little to show for your efforts. Here is a factsheet which lists some excellent web resources to get you started to build your own list of favourite sites.
f
Euromonitor
An international research organisation providing global market intelligence and international trends on consumer and industrial markets. Euromonitor publishes over 300 reports on global market sectors, which can be purchased online for between £250 and £2500. Free executive summaries can be viewed on the site, providing succulent market data and statistics, which are great sources for business and marketing plans. So if you are looking for trends in the soft drinks market in China then this is the place to visit. Finally, it is worth mentioning that you can also receive free email newsletter alerts specific to your industry of interest. Good for keeping up to date in your global market.
f
Verdict Research
Retail analysis organisation providing in-depth retail analysis reports on the UK. This website is very useful since it provides key industry trends and statistics free of charge, as a taster to the full text reports sold online. Great free data that might prove useful when preparing business plans or conducting market research.
f
NewsNow
If you are looking for up to the minute news threads, trends and market resources this is the place to come. Despite the poor design the site pulls together news stories from around the UK. The industry specific newswires are particularly useful for keeping up to date on all that is happening in your market sector.
f
f
Department of Trade and Industry
This UK government website aims to promote enterprise and innovation. Resources on the site help small businesses and new businesses to improve their business performance and expand their operations. The site provides great links to useful sources of support and advice, market overviews, publications to purchase or download, news alerts on changes to legislation or regulations affecting small businesses and the self employed.
f
Enterweb
An information portal containing links to hundreds of sources of information on small business, finance, international trade, entrepreneurship, enterprise development and economics. Topics covered by this online resource include business law, finance, management, education and training, business research, incubators and business news. All resources signposted on the site are rated and reviewed.
f
Business.com
Finally a dedicated business search engine that is simple, easy to navigate, and with a great design. Business.com offers its users more than 40,000 listings broken down amongst 25,000 industry, service and product subcategories. This resource is an excellent starting point for anyone trying to locate industry specific data from general trends to niche product specifics. Each category provides links, featured articles, and company portfolios. The site is USA orientated but some of the featured articles, reports and guidance notes will be useful to just about anyone. You can even source suppliers through this website.
f
Corporate Information
Do you need data on your competitors? Would you like to know the latest trends in the advertising industry in the USA? Or maybe you require information on Germany? Corporate Information is content rich in all these areas providing external links to a host of resources for researchers. The site is easy to navigate if a little amateur looking, but the breadth of links available certainly makes up for the shortcomings in the design. Certainly a web resource worth adding to your favourites.
f
Success4business.com
Access ideas and solutions to make your business stronger - on topics like marketing, HR, office supplies, health and safety, distribution and IT. Search our directory for potential new customers and suppliers. Become part of a business community - sharing practical ideas and tips about running a business and getting guidance from other like-minded people. Get up to date news and business information, including the latest about the industry you're in.
f
Business Advisors' Digest
The Business Advisers' Digest (BAD News) is a FREE, weekly current awareness service for business advisers and other professional business intermediaries. BAD News aims to keep advisers up-to-date and reliably informed about relevant news and developments in the field of small business support, and to offer practical advice. This regular service will provide you with news briefings on topical business issues, hints and tips for advising business customers and pointers to relevant websites, journals and periodical articles.
f
Business Bureau for UK SMEs
Information for UK SMEs on all you need to know about starting a business, growing a business, business technology and sales and marketing.
f
Business Zone - SME News
The new look BusinessZONE brings you new tools and resources to help you save time and make money for your business.
f
Cobweb information for business
Publishers of easy access and easy to understand guides and reports for entrepreneurs and their advisors.
f
MINTEL Market Research
As a leading supplier of competitive media, product and consumer intelligence, for three decades Mintel has built a reputation for providing expert analysis on all aspects of consumers’ economic activity and accurate monitoring of global fmcg activity.
f
The Small Business Portal
This portal has been designed to provide links to internet sites that will be helpful to fellow small business researchers, policy-makers and support agencies. It will be maintained to ensure that the links are still valid and extra features will be added on a continuous basis. The objective is to make this site the definitive portal for small business research.
f
THOMSON Directories On-line
Established in 1965, Thomson Directories has been energetic in predicting market demands and flexible in its response to consumer needs. This market driven approach ensures that Thomson Directories constantly and successfully strives to deliver a range of advertising, marketing and information solutions in support of customers' business objectives.
f
Trade Partners UK Ltd
FREE internet service from the British Government to help you find products and services from UK companies. Search from over 60,000 UK businesses by name, product or service. Links to 34,000 websites and 50,000 e-mail addresses . Send your enquiry direct by e-mail to UK businesses matching your interests No passwords, no charge
f
Trade Fairs and Exhibitions UK
Trade fairs and exhibitions UK offers a comprehensive listing of all the consumer, public, industrial and trade exhibitions to be held in major venues around the UK. You can search the list by exhibition type, by exhibition date, by exhibition organiser, or by exhibition venue. It is a unique user-friendly service for exhibitors, exhibition organisers and exhibition visitors to find out which exhibitions are being held in the UK for up to two years ahead. The data is updated regularly at the beginning of each month. If you are planning a trip to a particular exhibition, please check details with the organiser before you travel since changes may have been made
f
Free Advice for Start-up Entrepreneurs
Where can I go to enhance my marketing skills to develop my website? Where can I go to develop my business concept and prepare for funding?
f
Enterprise Investment Scheme Association
The EIS Association is an association of member companies and firms which are involved in the promotion of the Enterprise Investment Scheme ('EIS') for the benefit of small to medium sized companies.
f
National Business Angels Network
THE UK MARKETPLACE FOR INVESTORS IN GROWING BUSINESS Through its Bestmatch website, National Business Angels Network brings together investors with commercial experience and companies looking for development capital. As equity partners, business angels can bring vital skills to a developing business.
f
Office of National Statistics
The UK's home of official statistics, reflecting Britain's economy, population and society at national and local level. Summary stories and detailed data releases are published here free of charge.
f
The European Business Directory
Europages - THE EUROPEAN BUSINESS DIRECTORY 500,000 companies selected in 33 European countries
f
Financial Info Net Directory
The leading internet directory for UK financial websites.
f
Motley Fool UK Share tracker
Latest stock market and money news.
f
Centre for Competitiveness
The Centre for Competitiveness (CforC) is a private sector, not for profit, membership organisation actively supporting the development of an internationally competitive economy in Northern Ireland through innovation, productivity improvement and quality excellence in the private, voluntary and public sectors. Telephone contact number is 44 (0)28 90 468362 Fax: 44 (0)28 90 468361
f
The British Library - Patent advice
Helping you exploit the world's greatest patent resources. Includes links to free databases for patent searching and lists other important websites on patents and intellectual property in general.
f
Innovation Unit - Case Studies
To promote a significant increase in innovation - library of case studies companies who have inspired, created and connected and have shown a committment to innovative practices.
http://www.innovation.gov.uk/bcs/browseCaseStudy.html?companyId=All
f
startups.co.uk
Launched Jan 1999 Startups has over 1,700 articles about small businesses; from starting a business through to growing your business, plus news, forums, business plans, directories and much much more. Plus news for small businesses updated hourly.
f
Smallbiz
Smallbiz.uk.com is the leading independent site for British small firms. Working in association with trustworthy organisations, we provide quick and easy access to free practical help.
f
Infolaw
infolaw ... is the longest-established UK legal gateway site – with it you can: • access directly primary law documents and other resources from thousands of sources • find related references anywhere on the web with just one more click • find UK, Irish and Offshore law firms on the web – listings are free
f
Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys
. Use the UK based search for Trade Mark Attorneys We'll guide you... ..through the process of registering a Trade Mark
f
British Franchise Association
The British Franchise Association's official website will help you to make a more informed choice about franchising.
f
Salary Search
Handy site that lets you check the pay levels of over 600 jobs for any size of organisation, in any industry and in any region of the UK. An organisation's most valuable asset is its human resource. One of the key issues to staff retention and recruitment is offering the correct remuneration and benefits package. SalarySearch is the vital tool required to ensure your organisation does just that. The pay data held in this unique benchmarking tool is collected from employers throughout the UK, then checked and analysed by the Reward Group, one of the country's most renowned and trusted publishers of salary surveys.
f
Small Business Gateway
The first port of call for all your business enquiries.
f
Data Protection Agency
Information on Data Protection & Freedom of Information.
f
Federation of Small Business
The FSB is the voice of the small business sector with over 170,000 members. Based in Blackpool, the FSB has principal office in London, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. Our website helps you to find out what we are saying to the media, Parliament and others in the political and economic fields. As the site contains key issues facing the small business sector today, we trust you will find it a useful source of information.
f
E-Commerce - Tax Issues
Inland Revenue guide providing practical advice regarding the tax obligations of businesses trading over the Internet. Also provides information about tax relief and incentives.
f
Companies House
Excellent website containing FAQs and booklets on company legislation. Also has the option to search for company data.
f
Company Law and Investigations
Easy to use website containing information on limited liability partnerships, consultation documents and the review of company law.
f
Company Registrations Online
A secure online company formation service. Website is designed to provide users with all the necessary facilities to register a new UK limited company online.
f
Company Solicitors
Provides concise information on company and employment legislation. Website also includes some news articles and a solicitor search.
f
Code of Practice for Traders on Price Indications
Free guidance covering the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
f
Consumer Gateway
A one stop service run by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Website provides basic information but excellent links to other websites.
f
Displaying Information to Customers
Leaflet describing the way in which businesses must display information to customers so that their statutory rights are not affected.
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/bglitem.cgi?file=BADV612 -1111.txt
f
Chartered Institute of Personnel Development
For information on courses, training and certificates visit the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development's website. Includes important links, information on flexible working and the latest news on public policy. For instance ACAS has set up a new helpline service (08457 47 47 47) to give guidance to both employers and parents about the new flexible working rights. The arrangements, which start on 6 April 2003, give new parents the right to ask their employers for flexible working arrangements.
f
Guide to the Consumer Protection Act 1987
A free guide explaining in general terms how the product liability and consumer safety provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 work.
f
Guide to Trade Descriptions
A brief guide to the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. Describes what a trade description is and offences under the Act.
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/bglitem.cgi?file=BADV042 -1011.txt
Back to Home Page Click Here www.raymondrecommends.co.uk
This page last Updated March 2004