|
A major part of the guidance provided by Springfield SCORE relates to the development of business plans. In the process of developing those business plans, many aspiring owners feel overwhelmed by the research necessary to write them. They often ask, “Where do I go to get the information I need, especially in regard to planning, and particularly regarding profit and loss, and cash flow projections?” While SCORE counselors do not prepare business plans for clients, they do provide guidance as to where clients can find the necessary information and data from which to prepare their own plan.
The following sections, prepared by the Springfield SCORE counselors and instructors, provide an extensive list of resources that can be accessed by those who are in the process of writing a business plan. These sections are (1) General Sources of Information for Business Planning, (2) Web Sites with Information for Small Businesses, and (3) Business Information Sources from the Springfield Library Center (SCORE gratefully acknowledges the considerable help provided by Mr. Mike DePue, Business Resources Librarian at The Springfield-Greene County Library Center, in the preparation of this section.)
The documents listed below may be available at one or more of the following places: the Springfield SCORE office (SCORE), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located on the campus of SMSU, Springfield-Greene County Libraries (SGCL), a multiplicity of Web sites, and university libraries at SMSU and Drury, and other schools. When you check SGCL's online COOLCAT catalog of materials, be sure to also check the MOBIUS catalog, which can be accessed from COOLCAT. MOBIUS shows the materials available from the libraries of Missouri's colleges and universities. Using a SGCL library card, you can request any available MOBIUS material for delivery at a SGCL branch of your choice in just a few days.
1. General Sources of Information for Business Planning
A. Sources for Revenue Estimates
· Trade association data (may, in some cases, require association membership)
· Sales and Marketing Management magazine's Survey of Buying Power
· Entrepreneur magazine Entrepreneur Business Guides (available from SCORE and SBDC)
· Franchisors (if contemplating a franchised business)
· Survey of potential customers
· Self-conducted
· Market research consultants
· Annual Statement Studies-RMA (formerly Robert Morris Associates, now The Risk
Management Association)
· Manufacturer's representatives
· Manufacturers and suppliers
· Demographic data
· Census data and maps, including the recently developed American Community Survey
· Short- and long-term population-change data
· Population by age, sex, race, income level, etc.
· Sourcebook of ZIP Code Demographics (detailed information about every ZIP code and
county in the U.S., including forecasts)
· Census block and tract data for small geographies
· Phone books for competitor and customer information (electronic/digital versions
provide the most effective searching and the most current coverage)
· The SCORE Association
· The Small Business Administration
· Potential customers
· Chamber of Commerce (www.springfieldchamber.com )
· Dodge Reports (construction-related businesses)
· Allied suppliers (non-competing companies selling to your customers)
· Thomas Register
· Food
· Manufacturing
· Missouri Manufacturers Register and Missouri Directory of Manufacturers
· Merchandise marts (usually located in major metropolitan areas)
· Apparel
· Furniture
· Trade shows
· Web sites listed in the following sections, including www.score.org and www.sba.gov.
B. Sources for Cost of Sales or Cost of Goods Sold Estimates
· Annual Statement Studies-RMA (available at SCORE, SBDC, banks, SGCL)
· Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios-Troy (SGCL)
· Business profitability data and financial studies (SGCL)
· Trade associations (directory at SGCL)
· Manufacturers
· Franchisors
· Competitors in other geographic areas
· Distributors and wholesalers
· Professional financial consultants
· Chamber of Commerce (for labor rates, benefits, etc.)
· Direct research
· Past experience with labor hours
· Experience of similar businesses
· Web sites listed in the following sections
C. Sources for Operating Cost Estimates
· Annual Statement Studies-RMA (available at SCORE, SBDC, SGCL, banks)
· Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios-Troy (SGCL)
· Business Profitability Data and/or Financial Studies of the Small Business (SGCL)
· Directory of trade associations (SGCL)
· Manufacturers and distributors
· Franchisors
· Similar businesses in the area
· Direct research
· Rent, utilities, legal, accounting
· Advertising
· Sales and/or commissions (trade associations)
· Reserves
· Bad debts (Annual Statement Studies-RMA)
· Inventory
· Web sites as listed in Section 2, below
D. Sources for Other Estimates
· The Internet
Web sites which provide substantive beneficial information to small businesses are numerous and proliferating rapidly. Unfortunately, there are also many sites that provide "information" that is unreliable, outdated, deceptive, or biased; use great care in the material that you get from the Internet! A list of some of the most beneficial sites is included in this section.
· The Springfield-Greene County Library Center
The Library Center on South Campbell has a vast collection of helpful publications. A listing of a selective sample of their many books and periodicals is in a separate section. In addition, their Web site, at http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/infolink/cat.cfm?catid=4, has many links to sources of helpful information.
E. Information from the Missouri Census Data Center
Activated in late May 2003, a new tool on the Missouri Census Data Center Web site provides 2000 census demographic information for circular areas of the user's choosing. The user establishes a center point by using a latitude/longitude. From this center point, the user can establish radiuses of various lengths--in highly urbanized areas radiuses as short as 3/10 of a mile may be possible. Once these parameters are established, the tool will return up to 29 tables of census data for the established circular area. This data includes income, household, population, and housing numerical information. As with all census data, there is no attempt to interpret the data, discern patterns, etc.--the census supplies the numbers, the user looks for patterns. As a designated Census Associate for Greene County, Mr. Mike DePue, Business Resources Librarian at the Springfield-Greene County Library Center, will be happy to help users to determine latitudes and longitudes for specific locations -- he can get as specific as a particular postal addresses -- and to manipulate this and all available census tools. The Web address for this service is: http://mcdc2.missouri.edu/websas/caps.html
2. Web Sites with Information for Small Businesses
Site Brief Description
www.score.org A site rich in content with links to other sites
www.sba.gov The Small Business Administration site
www.bplans.com Sample business plans
www.irs.gov IRS content under “Small Business”
www.sba.gov/sbdc Small Business Development Centers site
www.lowe.org Entrepreneurial Edge Online
www.ideacafe.com Emphasizes advice, user contributions
www.Kennesaw.edu/fec Family Enterprise Center
www.business.gov Link to all federal information and services for business
www.insweb.com Compares insurance rates
www.sba.gov/hotlist/busplan.html SBA’s marketing and planning hot list
www.smalltownmarketing.com Marketing ideas for small business
www.uschamber.org U.S. Chamber of Commerce
www.nfib.com National Federation of Independent Business
www.nase.org National Association for the Self-Employed
www.soho.org Small office/Home office reference tools
www.asbaonline.org American Small Business Association
www.youngandsuccessful.com The Young Entrepreneurs Network
www.aahbb.org American Association of Home-Based Business
www.nationalbusiness.org The National Business Association
www.manaonline.org Manufacturers Agents National Association
www.salesforce.com Sales force automation
www.tsnn.com Trade Show News Network
www.onlinewbc.gov The Online Women’s Business Center
www.nacm.org The National Association of Credit Management
www.dnb.com Dun & Bradstreet’s small business division
www.onvia.com Online purchasing and quotes
www.acaonline.org Salary surveys
www.salary.com Online salary information
www.payroll-taxes.com Answers to payroll tax questions
www.toolkit.cch.com CCH, Incorporated’s answers to tax and legal questions
www.smbiz.com Small business taxes
www.smallbusiness.com A knowledge-sharing community
www.nfwbo.org Foundation for Women
www.visa.com/fb/smbiz/main.html Visa’s Small Business Exchange
www.oseda.missouri.edu Census data and population estimates
www.bigstep.com Free assistance for e-commerce
www.smallbizhelp.net Marketing, product sources, procurement
www.smalltownmarketing.com Marketing help
www.bizstats.com P & L statement %’s, by business
www.businesslaw.gov Legal and regulatory information for small business
www.franchiseopportunities.com Franchises
www.melissadata.com Demographics, tax statistics
www.franchise.org International Franchise Association tips
www.startupjournal.com Wall Street Journal small business topics
www.sos.state.mo.us/library/ Missouri census data
www.smallbizbooks.com Entrepreneur Magazine Business Guide
3. Business Information Sources from Springfield-Greene County Libraries
A. Resources for New Businesses*
Abrams – Successful Business Plan
Bangs – Launching Your Home-Based Business
Bangs – Market Planning Guide
Berle – Retiring to Your Own Business
Berner – Joy of Working from Home
Burstiner – How to Start and Run Your Own Retail Business
Burton – Accounting and Finance for Your Small Business
Clark – Beating the Odds
Coltman – Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business
Cossman – Making It!
Covello – Your First Business Plan
DeThomas – Writing a Convincing Business Plan
Edwards – Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century
Edwards – Entrepreneurial Parent
Epstein – A Shop of One’s Own
Eyler – Home Business Bible
Fallek – Finding Money for Your Small Business
Fisher – On Your Own
Gerber – E-Myth Revisited
Godin – Bootstrapper’s Bible
Hall – 1001 Businesses You Can Start From Home
Hendricks – Not Just a Living
Ingebretsen – Why Companies Fail
Kamoroff – Small Time Operator
Kirk – When Friday Isn’t Payday
Lonier – Working Solo
Lord – Guide to Self-Employment
Orloff – 60-Second Commute
Pfeffer – Human Equation
Pinson – Anatomy of a Business Plan
Radin – Breakaway Careers
Speigel – Shoestring Entrepreneurs’ Guide to the Best Home-Based Businesses
Spulber – Market Makers
Stewart – Intellectual Capital
Tarkenton – What Losing Taught Me About Winning
Tyson – Small Business for Dummies
Walter – Financing Your Small Business
Whitmyer – Running a One Person Business
Winter – Making a Living without a Job
*Any Springfield-Greene County Library location may have these or similar books; check with a librarian for specific titles available at that location or other locations, since titles can be easily and quickly transferred from one location to another.
B. Selected Reference Titles for Small Business at The Library Center
1) General Information:
Knowledge Exchange Business Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of Business & Finance
How to Set Up Your Own Small Business
Starting and Operating a Business in Missouri
Starting Up Your Own Business
BLR Encyclopedia of Prewritten Job Descriptions
Business Plans Handbook
Small Business Sourcebook
2) Business Ratios:
Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios
Annual Statement Studies - RMA
Financial Studies of the Small Business
3) Accounting and Bookkeeping:
Accountant's Audit Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
Encyclopedia of Accounting Systems
Accounting Handbook
IRS Code, Regulations, Forms, and Publications
4) Wholesalers and Retailers:
Standard & Poor's Register
Business Rankings Annual
Market Share Reporter
Missouri Business Directory (similar volumes for Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma)
5) Future Business Trends:
The Big Emerging Markets
Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys
U. S. Industry & Trade Outlook
6) Manufacturers and Their Agents:
Directory of Manufacturers' Sales Agencies
Manufacturing USA
Thomas Food Industry Register
Thomas Register
Missouri Manufacturers Register (similar volumes for Arkansas and Oklahoma)
American Manufacturers Directory
7) Finance:
Venture Capital Sourcebook
Directory of Venture Capital
Gold Book of Venture Capital Firms
Finding Money for Your Small Business
8) Contracts, Legal Contracts, Legal Forms:
Complete Book of Small Business Legal Forms
How to Form Your Own Missouri Corporation
Corporate Forms Kit
Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business
National Directory of State Business Licensing and Regulation
BLR Encyclopedia of Personnel Forms
Basic Legal Forms
Business Forms on File
9) Import/Export:
Tradeshow & Convention Guide
Trade Shows Worldwide
Hoover's Masterlist of Major International Companies
Directory of Foreign Manufacturers in the U.S.
Fraser's Canadian Trade Directory
International Brands and Their Companies
U.S. Importers and Exporters Directory
The titles listed above are just a few of the titles which have broad appeal. Check with Springfield-Greene County Library Center to see if they have other titles that might suit your specialized needs.
C. Business Information from Business and Company Resource Center
1) Business Index
This database provides references to articles from thousands of business, management, regional, and trade publications. Abstracts and/or full text of many articles are available. Covered subjects include banking, investment, companies, industries, cities, states and countries, new technologies and products, marketing, etc. Since all aspects of business and finance are covered, this database serves as a barometer of business changes and advances.
2) Company Profiles
This database provides abbreviated financial and operational information for thousands of public and private companies. Variant names, corporate history, brand names, and identification of upper-level management are emphasized.
3) InvesText
This database provides over 50,000 full text forecasts and reports, prepared by top Wall Street and international brokerage firms. More than 11,000 public U.S. and international companies and over 53 industries are covered. It is available for your use at the Springfield-Greene County Library, and from home, school, or business to holders of valid Springfield-Greene County Library cards. To inquire about this, as well as their many other print and electronic business sources, contact The Library Center Reference Department at 417-874-8110 or fax, 417-874-8113.
D. Business and Finance Periodicals -- Areas of Coverage
Advertising
Area economy
Automation
Business trends
Computerization
E-Commerce
Employment
Entertainment
Forecasts
Government policy
Government statistics
Home business
Home economics
Home offices
Industry
Investment
Lifestyles
Marketing
Monetary policy
Mutual funds
Purchasing
Retailing
Salaries and benefits
Sales management
Small business
Stocks and bonds
Surveys
Taxes
Technology
E. Reference USA
Known at one time as American Business DISC, this Web-based product provides full address, ZIP 4 postal code, telephone (plus fax and toll-free, if available) number, subject categories, SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) and NAICS (North American Industrial Classification System) number(s), contact name(s), number of employees, and sales volume ranges for over twelve million U.S. businesses, governmental entities, and nonprofit groups. Information is compiled from phone books, SEC (Security and Exchange Commission) filings, and trade and governmental sources.
Besides searching by entity name, you also can search by subject, SIC, years in business, employee size, and sales volume – and you can limit these searches to specific states, cities, ZIP codes, counties, area codes, or even phone numbers or street addresses.
This product will be useful to businesses and individuals who need contact information for specific companies, or who are trying to locate agencies, organizations, or businesses of a specific type. The publisher of this database has imposed a limit on the number of records that can be printed during any given search; at this time, the limit is 50. Licensing restrictions prohibit the user from selling or renting this information as prospecting or mailing lists, or from using this information to prepare directories, publications, or other printed or automated materials. The data has been seeded with spurious entries, which are monitored to detect unauthorized usage.
It can be accessed at any SGCL branch. It can also be accessed from home or office (with a valid SGCL library card) at http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/infolink/cat.cfm?catid=21.
F. “How To” Videos & Audiobooks Available for Check Out
How to Find New Customers
How to Be a Billionaire
How to Close Every Sale
How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less
How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci
G. “How To” Books Available for Check Out
How to Avoid Lawyers
How to Be a Great Communicator
How to Be a Star at Work
How to Be Happy at Work
How to Be Organized in Spite of Yourself
How to Become a Great Boss
How to Become a Marketing Superstar
How to Borrow a Million Dollars
How to Buy a Good Business with Little or None of Your Own Money
How to Buy and Sell a Business
How to Check Out Your Competition
How to Choose and Use Temporary Services
How to Collect the Money People Owe You
How to Connect in Business in 90 Seconds or Less
How to Drive Your Competition Crazy
How to Evaluate People in Business
How to Form a Corporation, LLC or Partnership in Missouri
How to Get a Business Loan
How to Get Free Publicity
How to Get the Most Out of Sales Meetings
How to Hire and Develop Your Next Top Performer
How to Live on 24 Hours a Day
How to Market to Consumers
How to Master the Art of Selling
How to Mind-Read Your Customers
How to Motivate People
How to Price Your Products and Services
How to Protect Your Business from Fraud, Scams & Crime
How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan
How to Run a Company
How to Run a Family Business
How to Run Your Own Home Business
How to Sell Like a Natural Born Salesperson
How to Start and Run Your Own Retail Business
How to Think Like a CEO
How to Train and Develop Supervisors
How to Turn Customer Service into Customer Sales
How to Win Business and Influence Friends
How to Write a Business Plan
How to Write Better Business Letters
|
