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Ellender Memorial Library


Library Director's Office
 
Post Office Box 2028
Thibodaux, LA 70310
Phone: (985) 448-4646
Fax: (985) 448-4925
 
Library Hours
(985) 448-4660
 
Reference Desk
(985) 448-4625
 
Circulation/Reserves
(985) 448-4654
 
Business Resources
  • The Library Homepage Explained
  • Reference Section
  • Finding Books in iLINK
  • Finding Articles in the Electronic Research Databases
  • Finding Information on the Web
    Websites

    The following is a list of reputable and authoritative business oriented websites, courtesy of of Nicholls State's Small Business Development Center. Annotations are provided by Weston Hull, Director, SBDC and Tony Fonseca, Electronics Resources Librarian, Ellender Memorial Library. All links were verified as of March 15, 2004.

    Federal / National

  • United States Small Business Administration
    The following website is the United States Small Business Administration's website. On the SBA website, you can find information on how to start and finance your small business. It also provides an online library.
  • Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration
    This, formerly the Academic FAQ, is a resource designed to assist would-be small business researchers with links to important research and data in the field.
  • University of Michigan: Statistical Resources on the Web, Business and Industry
    This links to many web based statistical data and government sites. It also contains links to other sources that may be helpful to small businesses. This site contains links to several of the sites listed in this document.
  • Retail Trade Section of Above
  • U. S. Census Bureau: United States Department of Commerce
    Provides raw data on practically every imaginable demographic, economic, or social aspect of U.S. business and society in general. Some of the best Census Bureau sources include the Statistical Abstract of the United States and the Economic Census, including the Census of Retail Trade and the Census of Wholesale Trade.
  • U.S. Industry and Trade Outlook
    Provides projections on production, sales, employment, shipments, etc., all by industry.
  • The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer
    Provides reports, speeches, and other facts about competitive, antitrust, and consumer protection issues.
  • United States Department of Commerce: Fedworld
    Offers links to various federal government sources of industry and market statistics.
  • SEC Filings and Forms (Edgar)
    Provides comprehensive financial data (10K reports) on public corporations in the United States.
  • The International Chamber of Commerce and City-State-Province Directory
    Supplies demographic information on consumers and businesses within selected geographical areas.
  • United States International Trade Commission
    Department of Commerce: International Trade Administration
    Investigates and publishes reports on U.S. industries and the global trends that affect them. The agency also updates and publishes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
  • United States International Trade Commission
    This branch of the Department of Commerce provides information to help U.S. businesses participate fully in the global marketplace.
  • Online Women's Business Center
    OWBO promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities.
  • Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource
    Includes information on Employment Taxes for Small Businesses, Employer ID Numbers (EINs), Online Classrooms, and 2003 and 2004 Tax Changes for Businesses.


    • State / Local
  • Louisiana Works: Quick Menu
    Gives information about labor market as well as requirements in security, compensation, insurance, labor laws, workplace safety, etc. It also provides information about the labor market in your area.
  • Labor Market Information Section
  • Louisiana Demographics: Census Data Center
    Easy Access to Zip Code, Census Tract, Congressional District, Metro Area, Block Group, and Block Information in Louisiana Census Facts.
  • Stirling Properties: Louisiana Demographics
    The Demographics Page is an addition to the Atlas web site that allows users to create maps from statistical data about the 64 parishes of the state.
  • Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce
    If your business is in Terrebonne parish, here is the link to the local chamber of commerce in Houma. You will find useful links to local associations, as well as information on the local information.
  • St. Mary Chamber of Commerce (Link Inactive)


    • Sites By Industry
  • NOAA Fisheries: Fisheries Economics
    This website gives you information about the Fisheries industry including laws and policies, social, economic and cultural data. It also provides a link that allows you to search for data at state, county/parish, and local levels, usually directing you to the state information website or your local chamber of commerce website. It also contains a section on fisheries statistics and economics.
  • Simmons and Company International: Investment Bankers to the Energy Industry
    This website provides information on oil and gas industry statistics, including financing, number of rigs, prices, stock index, etc. These statistics may be found by clicking on the “Our Research” tab.
  • Louisiana Independent Oil and Gas Association
    LIOGA was organized to represent the independent sector of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana. Our primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Creating incentives for industry, warding off tax increases, changing existing, burdensome regulations and educating the public and government of the importance of the oil and gas industry in the state is what we do for our membership. LIOGA confronts and deals directly with the many issues that are causing harm to the industry.
  • The Louisiana Restaurant Association
    The Louisiana Restaurant Association is one of the largest business organizations in the state representing more than 5,000 restaurant operations and related businesses.
  • Louisiana Heat Pump Association (Link Inactive)
  • Tirebusiness.com List of Associations
    Directory of national to local tire associations.
  • Google Directory of Chemical Associations
    Also includes a category listing, such as Adhesives, Agricultural, Aromatic, Asia, Associations, Biochemical, Cleaning Agents, Cosmetics, Custom Blending, Directories, Europe, Explosives, Fuel Additives, Gases, Herbicides, Import and Export, Insecticides, Laboratory Instruments and Supplies, Lubricants, Marketplaces, News and Media, Paint and Coatings, Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Pigments, Plastics, Polymers, Specialty Fats, Suppliers, and Water Treatment.
  • The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
    An appendix in PDF format which contains statistical data about the banking industry in charts: openings and closings, failures, financial and assets studies, etc.
  • House Clicks
    House Clicks is a one stop guide to all things related to Real Estate. Whether you are buying a house, own one and want to make the most of your investment, are selling your house, or planning to invest in Real Estate, House Clicks is the gateway to the details you need. Here you will find over 100 of pages of Real Estate knowledge, hints and resources.
  • The Construction Industry Institute
    The mission of the Construction Industry Institute is to improve the business effectiveness of the capital facilities life cycle, including safety, quality, schedule, cost, security, reliability, and operability. Participation in CII provides members the opportunity for a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.
  • Louisiana State Licensing Board For Contractors
    • If you are thinking about building a house, commercial building, or any other contractor’s work, you may need to be licensed with the state. If you are working on a project, or bidding on a project for more than $50,000, or doing environmental work, you will need to get a license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board For Contractors. It also gives you information about licensing laws. Please check here before starting a project. They do send out compliance inspectors to construction sites and plants. The phone number is (225) 765-2301.

    Banking / Financing Websites
  • Money Cafe
    To start the study of what are the available solutions to finance your small business, here is a useful link that provides all the necessary on commercial loans, real estate loans, lease financing, business charge cards, depository accounts, online banking, currency trading, payment systems, insurance, employee benefits plans, related services, software and company directory.
  • Sphinx Montreal Alternative Media: Louisiana Banks
    This website provides a list of banks, by city, located in Louisiana.
  • Money Cafe: Louisiana Banks
    This next website provides a list of banks in the state and has links to their websites. They all have a small business guide to financing.
  • State of Louisiana: Office of Financial Institutions
    This is the office of financial institution website. Their purpose is to lend money to riskier small business that traditional lenders would not finance. They also specialize in financial assistance to businesses owned by women, minorities, and businesses that operate in economically depressed areas.
  • Google Directory: Louisiana Financial Services
    This is a link to bankers associations in Louisiana. They offer services related to management, compliance, and employee training.


    • Commercial (Fee-Based) Websites
  • eMarketer
    You must pay a subscription fee of $5000 per year or $750 for a 30-day period. If you subscribe, this website will give you access to a database of market statistics and reports on market research and analysis. It lets you try a search for free, but it does provide much information unless you subscribe.
  • Kennedy Information Online
    This links can provide you the name of the venture capitalist specialized in your industry, located in your state. This service is not free (around $30.00).
  • A. C. Nielsen
    Supplies data and reports on retail sales of products and brands through the use of scanner technology. The company also provides data on television and magazine audiences.
  • Information Resources, Inc.
    Information Resources, Inc. is second only to Nielsen as a marketing research firm. IRI specializes in supermarket scanner data and the impact of promotions on sales of brands and products in supermarkets.
  • MediaMark Research, Inc.
    Provides a wealth of data on television markets and selected industries through annual reports that focus on customer demographics and brand preferences.
  • Arbitron
    Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) is an international media and marketing research firm serving radio broadcasters, cable companies, advertisers, advertising agencies and outdoor advertising companies in the United States, Mexico and Europe. Arbitron’s core businesses are measuring network and local market radio audiences across the United States; surveying the retail, media and product patterns of local market consumers; and providing application software used for analyzing media audience and marketing information data.
  • Dun and Bradstreet
    D&B ( NYSE:DNB), the leading provider of global business information, tools and insight, has enabled customers to Decide with Confidence for over 160 years.
  • Audit Bureau of Circulations
    The Audit Bureau of Circulations is a not-for-profit organization established in 1914. ABC is the leading third party auditing organization in the U.S.
  • Claritas
    This website contains some free information and some information for fees. It gives demographics by zip code such as lifestyle traits and median household incomes.


    • Periodicals and Serial Reference
  • Industry Week
    Written for a senior-level management audience, Industry Week delivers powerful editorial on the challenges facing today's manufacturing companies.
  • Moody's Manuals
    Provides basic information about major corporations, including industry and company overviews and analyses.
  • Hoover's Online
    Provides basic information about major corporations, including industry and company overviews and analyses.
  • Standard and Poor’s Industry Surveys
    Offers in-depth analyses and current statistics about major industries and corporations.
  • AdAge.com
    AdAge.com is the Web site of Advertising Age, the 73-year-old flagship magazine of the Ad Age Group, a division of Crain Communications Inc.
  • AdWeek
    Edited for ad agency executives, AdWeek has the inside stories on creativity, client/agency relationships, and successful global advertising strategies, plus news of accounts in review, the best creative work, and new campaigns.
  • Chain Store Age
    Chain Store Age is the monthly news magazine for corporate executives at headquarters in all the major segments of retailing: home centers, supermarkets, drug chains, specialty stores, discount, convenience and department stores.
  • Progressive Grocer
    Is a monthly strategic publication serving upper management in the supermarket industry along with all other segments of the global food business. In-depth features by an experienced staff of editors and writers offer insights into trends in store development, technology, marketing, logistics, international retailing, human resources, and consumer purchasing patterns.
  • Marketing Power
    Publication of the American Marketing Association.
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • Fortune
  • Inc.
  • Business Week
  • Forbes


    • Demographic Information
  • U. S. Demographics
    This is from the U.S. census website. You can pick a characteristic that you want to know about the population such as age, ancestry, labor force, children, poverty, race, income, etc.
  • Louisiana Demographics
    This site provides demographic information about the Louisiana population. Under Louisiana census facts, select either Demographic Profiles or Social and Economic Profiles. A drop down menu will let you select which category of information you want to view. After selecting the category, you can select a geographical location, such as parish. After selecting parish, it will give you a drop down list of parishes and give you the demographic information for that parish.
  • Louisiana Population Projections To 2020 (DOA)
    This link provides parish population estimates and projections until the year 2020.


    • Industry Trends
  • Missouri Small Business Development Center
    Provides Industry-At-A-Glance reports for the United States. These reports were prepared for Missouri businesses but some of the information is valuable in other states as well. Under the heading, The Industries, you can view various reports.
  • SBDC National Clearinghouse
    This site is a link from the Small Business Development Center national website. On the first page there is a section titled Outlooks, Trends, and Reports that will link you to industry reports.
  • 1997 Economic Census Data
    Under Zip code Statistics, you can type in your zip code to get local information about the number and types of industries in your area as well as sales receipts, payroll and the number of people they employ. It also has a drop down menu near the bottom to list reports by state.
  • 1997 Economic Census: Comparative Statistics for Louisiana
    This link shows the changes in industries in Louisiana from 1992-1997.


    • Miscellaneous
  • Sales and Marketing Executives International, Inc.
    Combines the strength of an international, non-profit professional association with local chapters to provide ongoing seminars, workshops and activities designed to promote excellence through shared experience and to create success through shared knowledge.
  • Fast Company
    Provides information on state-of-the-art business concepts, business trends, executive profiles, and case studies.
  • Business 2.0
    Provides in-depth coverage on e-commerce, high-tech firms, and other items of interest related to the new economy.
  • News Directory
    A great way to browse local, national, and international newspapers and magazines.
  • Biz Journals
    Offers news from a variety of local and regional business journals.
  • Entrepreneur
    Will give you ideas of what is available for small business. If you click on the start-up tab, it gives you a list of essentials for starting up a business. It also gives you tips on marketing, loans, and management.
  • Business Planning Made Easy
    The first step in starting a business is to write a business plan. This site provides some sample business plans and allows you to purchase software to assist you in writing your business plan. This website also leads you to market research about the viability of your project, and the information you need to gather. It also provides links to sites that provide industry and market analyses reports for a fee.
  • Louisiana Population Data Center
    This gives the study available through LSU. It does not show much information online, but has contact information for you to inquire about their services. Topics may change over time. It may be helpful to have a look and write them for information.
  • Find Law: Resources for Louisiana
    This website lists includes a directory of associations for legal companies, as well as where to find legal advice for small businesses.


    • Van Viator
    Reference Librarian
    225 Ellender Memorial Library
    Phone: 985-448-4661
     
    Tony Fonseca
    Electronic Resources / Reference Librarian
    230 Ellender Memorial Library
    Phone: 985-448-4675



     

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