1. Public vs. private
Companies that sell stock to the public (e.g. Apple Inc.) must file reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As a result, a reasonable amount of info and data can be found within their own websites and through government sites.
Private firms (e.g. Cargill) are not required to file, which means that accurate information is harder to obtain. Profiles of private firms are often built by assessing aspects of the industry in which they operate, from gathering available news items, and by reviewing info on competitors.
2. Corporate structure
Is your company a subsidiary or division of a parent company … or a joint venture (e.g. Owens Corning)? Is it a franchise (e.g. Subway) or franchisee? Some resources are limited to only the top-most level of the corporate structure.
3. Geography
Identify the location for your company: local, national, international? Many directories and resources are specific to nations and world regions.
4. Business type
Identify the company’s primary function(s): manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, service, or other. Many resources compile information specific to these individual categories or aspects of the supply chain.
5. News items
Review both mainstream and industry-specific publications (newspapers, magazines, blogs, and websites) for reportage on the company, including personnel changes, contracts and partnerships, performance analysis, new products and services, customer feedback, and other matters.
What information may be useful?
- history of the company
- financial data & filings
- products & services
- key personnel & hires
- marketing strategy
- recent news
* adapted from the James. J. Hill Reference Library's guide, May 2012 edition
