Reference USA is a well-known database that is available on all of our Saint Louis Public Library reference computers. I like to recommend our entrepreneurs to use this database when they are beginning to write their business plan. Why you may ask do I recommend it? Because you have the ability to use North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) to search for your type of business.
Before you start using this database, you must decide if you want to create a custom search. I personally recommend doing so, as you will then get exactly the type of business you are searching for as well as the location. I suggest selecting the geographic location (by zip code) and then by NAICS code. If you put in the city and state it will over ride your search by zip code.
Searching by zip code, combined with the NAICS code, provides the entrepreneur with a list of all the names of potential competitors. Once you have selected custom search for geographic location and NAICS code, you then add your specific search.
By selecting the specific result, you will find a screen that provides much, much more information. On the detailed screen you will have the following information to use: Competitors, names of executives, along with their gender and contact information, number of employees, volume of sales, if it is a head office location, and even articles where that company was in the news.
When you have your Saint Louis Public Library card and four digit pin number you can conveniently access this database from outside the Library. First select "Online Learning and Reference," then select "Databases."
If you have any questions about using this database, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
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