Growing a Business

Taking a business to the next level requires additional research and resources depending on the direction and growth you are seeking.

For example, if your business has not been incorporated, and you are interested in forming one, you can consult Incorporate Your Business by Anthony Mancuso.

This section includes resources for the small business person on the move. The types of resources range from books at the Library to recommended Web sites to online databases.

Databases that provide demographics, marketing and general information:

Business Insights: Essentials - Business and Company Resource Center is a database that provides detailed information on 300,000 domestic and international companies.

Reference USA - Provides detailed information on more than 12.8 million U.S. businesses; 120 million U.S. residents.

Simply Map - Use the latest demographic, business and marketing data to create thematic maps and reports showing information for a specific location or multiple locations.

Small Business Resource Center - Offers resources and information about starting and operating a business. Topics include business plans, accounting, taxation, human resources, management, and more.

Standard & Poors NetAdvantage - Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage offers independent professional analysis and ratings for over 5,000 U.S. companies, 9,700 corporate bonds, and over 14,000 mutual funds. Includes descriptions of company business, stock performance, and ten years of share, income and balance sheet data.

Review the Business Plan

The business plan is one of the most important considerations when starting or expanding a business.

The elements of a business plan include the legal structure of the business, the type of business, for example merchandising, retail, or service, to list a few.

For general guidance on preparing a business plan, consult books such as Business Plans Kit for Dummies or Business Plans that Work for Your Small Business.

If, however, you need examples of successful business plans use Business Plans Handbook. This multivolume reference set contains actual business plans for various types of businesses. The Business Plans Handbook eBook is available through the Gale Virtual Reference Library. A print version of the set can be found on the 4th floor of the Orlando Public Library.

Legal, Finance and Taxes

Small business entrepreneurs may need to consult books about small business finance and taxes.

This general guide discusses forming a nonprofit corporation and some of the legalities of a small business: Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business by Fred Steingold.

The Library has resources such as financial ratios, industry surveys, and demographic information to help you prepare a business plan.

RMA Annual Statement Studies

D&B Industry Norms and Key Business Ratios

Almanac of Business and Industrial Financial Ratios

Demographics and Marketing

Local/State

Demographic information is available at the local, state, national and international levels. Data may overlap. For example, national data sources may also include state and local information. One can use numerous sources to obtain information.

Marketing and advertising are important aspects of business start-up or expansion. Marketing requires knowledge of consumer trends such as income, housing, households, or labor force. OCLS has numerous sources to help you find the information you need to perform your market research.

The Florida Statistical Abstract is published annually by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) at the University of Florida. It is a good starting point for state data.

It provides social and economic statistics on Florida and its counties. Its sources are the U.S. Census and other data from State, Federal, and private agencies.

Community Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics

Zip Code Demographics: Information for Each Zip Code in U.S.

TABLE A: Population Change
TABLE B: Population Composition
TABLE C: Income
TABLE D: Spending Potential Indices
Business Data for Zip Codes
Maps

The Complete Economic and Demographic Data Source or CEDDS, published by Woods & Poole Economics Inc., contains data and projections for all counties, states, metropolitan areas, and regions in the U.S. The State Profile provides data for all counties and metropolitan areas in a state. Significant aspects of this source are that it also provides historical data from 1970 and projections to 2030. Data includes:

Population
Race
Age
Employment by industry
Earnings by industry
Personal income
Household data
Retail sales by business type
Wealth index

Websites

City of Orlando http://www.cityoforlando.net/

Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF)http://www.hbifflorida.org/

National Entrepreneur Center http://www.nationalec.org/

Florida Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/

Florida Division of Corporations http://www.sunbiz.org/

Orange County http://www.orangecountyfl.net/

UCF Small Business Development Center http://www.bus.ucf.edu/sbdc/

Orlando SCORE http://www.scoreorlando.org/

National

Demographic information is available at the local, state, national and international levels.

Data may overlap. For example, national data sources may also include state and local information.

One can use numerous sources to obtain information.

Demographics USA: County Edition is an excellent source for marketing and business planning. In addition to population statistics, buying power index, and effective buying income, this source provides retail data including the number of retail establishments and retail sales by store groups and merchandise line at the county level.

Marketing statistics
Covers population (including race, ethnicity), age/sex groups
Household data
Effective buying income
Retail sales including number of establishments
Buying power index
Occupation/employment data

Community Sourcebook of Zip Code Demographics

Zip Code Demographics: Information for Each Zip Code in U.S.

TABLE A: Population Change
TABLE B: Population Composition
TABLE C: Income
TABLE D: Spending Potential Indices
Business Data for Zip Codes
Maps

Websites

SCORE http://www.scoreorlando.org/
U.S. Census Bureau http://www.census.gov/
U.S. Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/
Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) http://www.bbif.com/

International

Demographic information is available at the local, state, national and international levels. Data may overlap. One can use numerous sources to obtain information.

International demographic and marketing data are available from sources such as European Marketing Data and Statistics.

This publication provides demographic and consumer data for European countries. Data includes population, consumer spending patterns, market sizes, advertising, health and living standards, economic indicators, banking and finance, and many other variables. Tables present historic as well as current data.

International Marketing Data and Statistics provides data for countries in Asia, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. The format is similar to European Marketing Data and Statistics.

Procedures and regulations for import/export are found in the following:

Export/Import Procedures and Documentation
D&B Exporters Encyclopedia, which provides key contacts, trade regulations, marketing data, documentation requirements and more for countries.

The U.S. Custom House Guide publications includes:

The Ports of Entry & U.S. Import Regulations
The Trade Services Directory & Guide
The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule

The Official Export Guides includes:

The U.S. Export Regulations
The Country Trade Sourcebook
The Trade Services Directory & Guide

To find companies that import or export specific products, consult the Directory of United States Importers or Directory of United States Exporters.

Chapter Index

Growing a Business