A Guide to Sources of Business Information
Enterprise Europe Network London October 2010
CONTENTS Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3 Sources of Company Information .......................................................................................... 3 Market Research ................................................................................................................... 4 Statistical Information ............................................................................................................ 4 Online Business Networking .................................................................................................. 5 How the Enterprise Europe Network can help you................................................................. 5 What is offered by the Network at London Chamber of Commerce ....................................... 6 Other useful contacts ............................................................................................................ 6
© Enterprise Europe Network London, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, October 2010
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Introduction The aim of this factsheet is to provide an overview of the main sources of business information that can be obtained free of charge or at minimal cost. Finding relevant information is a necessary part of developing and maintaining a business and it is hoped that this factsheet may be useful in summarising and highlighting the various resources that are available to the non-specialist researcher.
Sources of Company Information Most towns and cities have a main reference library or university library which will be a good source of business information. Basic information on companies in a particular sector can be found in online directories including the following: •
Kellysearch www.kellysearch.co.uk
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Kompass www.kompass.co.uk
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Esources www.esources.co.uk
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AskAlix www.askalix.com/uk
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County Web www.countyweb.co.uk
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British Companies www.britishcompanies.co.uk
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Yellow Pages Online www.yell.com
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Thomson Local www.thomsonlocal.com
Many such libraries will subscribe to the databases and commercial online information sources that are often too expensive for individual subscribers. Such databases include the following: •
FAME (Financial Analysis Made Easy) – offers financial reports on UK companies
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Dialog – covers market research and analyses on a wide range of companies in the finance, media, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food and drink sectors.
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Dun & Bradstreet – provides business and credit reports as well as market research and country risk reports.
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Amadeus – provides financial reports on European companies.
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LexisNexis – database covers newspaper, business and trade journal articles with coverage of a range of business sectors.
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ICC – provides information on UK companies in a variety of sectors.
Companies House is a compulsory register of limited liability companies in the UK and has a useful website with a searchable database know as WebCheck. Company documents may be downloaded for a small fee. www.companieshouse.gov.uk The WebCheck service is straightforward to use. It can be accessed via the following link: www.companieshouse.gov.uk/toolsToHelp/WCInfo.shtml .
© Enterprise Europe Network London, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, October 2010
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Local councils can also be a source of information on businesses operating in specific areas. To locate a specific council, visit www.direct.gov.uk. Business support organisations such as a Chamber of Commerce (www.britishchambers.org.uk) and local enterprise agency (www.nfea.com) will also have information on local businesses as well as offering opportunities for networking and finding new contacts. Note that Chambers of Commerce in the UK are membership organisations and information is available to members only. The Council of Foreign Chambers of Commerce in the UK (CFCC) represents more than 30 bilateral chambers in the UK and over 10,000 foreign businesses with trading and investment interests in the UK. The CFCC can also provide information on subsidiaries of foreign companies in the UK. The website can be found at www.thecfcc.com.
Market Research Market research reports provide in-depth information on industry sectors, trends, consumer profiles and buying habits, as well as looking at major players in particular sectors. These reports usually contain a lot of detail although shorter ‘snapshot’ reports are often available for some sectors as well. Market research reports usually cost upwards of £300 to purchase, with detailed reports costing around £1500 each, but some libraries may be able to offer access to online reports via their databases. The British Library Business & IP Centre has a selection of hard copy market research reports which are available for consultation. They cannot be photocopied or borrowed. The main publishers of market research reports include the following and sample reports can be found on their respective websites. Reports are also available for purchase and download from the websites. •
Datamonitor (www.datamonitor.co.uk) and its subsidiary, Verdict (www.verdict.co.uk)
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Euromonitor International (www.euromonitor.com)
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Keynote (www.keynote.co.uk)
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MBD (www.mbdltd.co.uk)
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Mintel (www.mintel.com)
Statistical Information The Office for National Statistics (ONS) at www.statistics.gov.uk provides a wide range of statistical information that covers both economic and social trends. Most reports are downloadable from the aforementioned website free of charge. Reports that are published regularly include the Annual Abstract of Statistics, which gives statistics on industry, society and demographics; the Annual Business Inquiry, which covers the main business sectors in terms of finance and employment; Economic and Labour Market Review, which covers employment rates, average earnings and training. Labour market statistics and information are available from Nomis (www.nomisweb.co.uk) which is a database of national and local data collated from various official sources. Nomis is run by the University of Durham on behalf of the ONS. Eurostat (Statistical Office of the European Communities) produces official statistics for EU member countries. Some information is available free of charge online at: www.epp.eurostat.ec./portal/page/portal/eurostat/home.
© Enterprise Europe Network London, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, October 2010
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UpMyStreet is an online information publisher that gives statistics and information about specific local areas by postcode. It supplies details of schools, property prices and public transport. (www.upmystreet.com). Local authorities also publish information to varying extents. Use the website www.direct.gov.uk to find your local authority. Trade associations and professional associations are also sources of statistical information. The Directory of British Associations should be available at your local library. The Trade Associations Forum has a website at www.taforum.org and there is useful information to be found at www.britishservices.co.uk/associations.htm. Tourism statistics for the UK are available www.visitbritain.org/insightsandstatistics/index.aspx.
from
the
VisitBritain
website.
Online Business Networking Social networking via blogs, message boards and sites such as Twitter are another way of finding out about competitors and market conditions in general. Weblogs or blogs are often a good source of current information on products and services and can be a good way to gauge customer views and reactions. Blog search engines include Technorati (www.technorati.com) which allow users to search for specific terms and to set up email alerts when certain words are mentioned. Social networking sites are also a way to keep in touch with trends and current events. Many businesses use Twitter to communicate directly with customers via short messages of 140 characters or less (www.twitter.com). LinkedIn is a networking site which allows professionals and businesses to keep in touch and track developments in a particular industry sector (www.linkedin.com).
How the Enterprise Europe Network can help you Launched in 2008, the Enterprise Europe Network brings together over 600 organisations and 4,000 professionals across the EU and in an increasing number of countries beyond (47 countries at the time of writing), by providing high-quality integrated business support services to SMEs. The wide range of services include supplying information on EU policies, programmes and legislation, business partner searches and cooperation databases, networking and brokerage events for technology and knowledge transfer and promotion and information material. Individual on-site visits to companies to assess their needs are also provided, as well as tools engaging SMEs in the European policy-making process. More information about the network can be seen here: www.enterprise-europe-network.ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm The Enterprise Europe Network London (EEN London) delivers the Enterprise Europe Network services in the Greater London area. EEN London brings together the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Greater London Enterprise and the London Technology Network. All information on the services provided by EEN London can be seen at: www.een-london.co.uk.
© Enterprise Europe Network London, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, October 2010
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What is offered by the Network at London Chamber of Commerce We offer a wide range of services designed to support firms wishing to do business in Europe. A selection of these services includes: Research and Enquiry Service A comprehensive EU research and enquiry service is offered to SMEs, providing detailed advice, information and assistance on all EU and trade-related issues. The service is completely free of charge. Being a truly Europe-wide network, the Enterprise Europe Network can call on an extensive array of network colleagues in different European countries for enquirers needing specific and detailed information on a certain country. Business Cooperation Database Within the Enterprise Europe Network, business cooperation between small firms across the EU is managed via a matchmaking forum called the ‘Business Cooperation Database’. This consists of a Europe-wide database of company profiles, all of whom are seeking or offering cooperation with foreign partners in their specific sectors. Typically this includes joint ventures, acting as a subcontractor or distributor. Common requests can include finding an agent in a specific business sector, or finding manufacturers in another EU country. Events The London Chamber of Commerce’s series of international seminars is designed to help businesses to fully benefit from international trade. A regular programme of specialist seminars, focusing in depth on specific overseas markets for UK exporters is operated. For more detailed information on these events, please access the following webpage: www.londonchamber.co.uk/international_events For further information about all services we offer, please contact us: Enterprise Europe Network London at London Chamber of Commerce 33 Queen Street EC4R 1AP London T: +44 (0)20 7489 1992 F: +44 (0)20 7203 1812 E:
[email protected] W: www.een-london.co.uk
Other useful contacts British Library Business and IP Centre British Library 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB T: +44 (0)20 7412 7454 W: www.bl.uk/bipc E:
[email protected] City Business Library Aldermanbury London EC2V 7HH T: +44 (0)20 7332 1812 E:
[email protected] W: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Libraries/City_of_London_l ibraries/cbl.htm
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Companies House Crown House Maindy Way Cardiff CF14 3UZ T:+44 (0)303 1234 500 E:
[email protected] Office for National Statistics Cardiff Road Newport NP10 8XG T: 0845 601 3034 W: www.statistics.gov.uk Trade Association Forum Centre Point 103 New Oxford Street London WC1A 1DU T: +44 (0)20 7395 8283 W: www.taforum.org
This factsheet was produced by the Enterprise Europe Network London team at London Chamber of Commerce. The Enterprise Europe Network London brings together GLE, London Chamber of Commerce and London Technology Network. The Enterprise Europe Network London is funded by the European Commission and the London Development Agency. We provide practical, hands-on support and information for London’s small and medium businesses seeking funding, hoping to expand their business into Europe, or wishing to develop (technology) partnerships with other European businesses. For more information please go to: www.een-london.co.uk
Disclaimers Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this guide, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained therein and does not accept responsibility for errors, omissions or their consequences. Neither the European Commission nor the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation nor any person acting on behalf of them is responsible for the use which might be made of the information contained herein. The views in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policies of the European Commission.
© Enterprise Europe Network London, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, October 2010
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