Finding Business
Information for 3MC3
Jeanne An
anjean@mcmaster.ca
Ines Perkovic
perkovic@mcmaster.ca
Innis Library
October 2006
The Big Questions
How do I get at the e-resources?
 I know how to find marketing information
for Canada, but how do I get it for
Hamilton or Burlington?
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Articles
Competitors lists
Market share
Business statistics
Your Challenges
Hard to find information for low levels of
geography
 Many of the establishments you’re working
with are small and private (no obligation
to report sales, etc.)
 Statistics Canada and other agencies
obligated to maintain confidentiality
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Innis Library web site:
http://library.mcmaster.ca/innis
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Contains specific resources for
business/commerce students
Key links on left navigation menu
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“Top Business Databases”
Research Guides for Business
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Class Guides for Business
 Commerce 3MC3 – Applied Marketing
Management
 Class Presentation & Quick Start
Research Guide
 Research Guide contains a list of
resources you will find useful for
this specific class
Library Home Page Redesigned
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More search functionality directly on home page
MORRIS (library catalogue of what McMaster owns at all four
libraries)
Databases (article, company & market research databases)
MultiSearch (search many databases all at once)
Web – search library, university or Google
New
Best Databases for 3MC3 – industry &
company information:
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CBCA and CPI.Q for articles on broad
Canadian industry and consumer trends
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LexisNexis or Factiva for access to the
Hamilton Spectator and other local
newspapers! NOTE: Factiva is limited
to 6 simultaneous users.
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MarketResearch.com Academic for
market research reports (mostly U.S.
content, but small, niche industries are
often covered)
HOT
PICK
Finding articles on Stoney Creek Furniture in
the Hamilton Spectator via Factiva
Selected
full-text search
Result: 36 articles in Hamilton
Spectator since 1986
Canadian Business Database:
Best source for finding local competitors
Over 1.3 million Canadian companies!
 Includes private companies
 Provides sales and employee size (in
ranges)
 Allows you to get down to the postal code
level.
 Only lets you search by SIC.
 Also available off-campus.
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NOTE: Access is limited to 3 simultaneous users.
Canadian Business Database:
Custom Search
Select
search
criteria &
create
form
Finding all the hair salons in Hamilton
Key in your
SIC code(s)
Indicate city
& province
Result: 321 salons in Hamilton
Entries include address, contact, employee size
ranges, sales ranges credit rating lines of business
Another Source: Hamilton Business
Directory (11,500 companies)
http://www.hamiltonbusinessdirectory.ca/
default.htm
 Contains over 11,500 profiles
 Browse by industry or use your NAICS
(North American Industry Classification
System)

Hamilton Business Directory
Use Advanced
Search mode
to search by
NAICS code
Market Share
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No easy answers,
especially when
dealing with small
companies
Like putting together
an old puzzle

You may not be able to
find all the pieces!
Canadian Business Database:
Screening by Sales Volume
Pick one or
more sales ranges
Result: 11 salons with sales $500,000
- $1 Million
To modify or
revise search
Constructing very rough market share using
Canadian Business Database range data
Hair Salons in Hamilton (Estimated Sales)
Company Name
Revenue Range
Midpoint
% of Total
Joseph's Coiffures
$500,000-$1 M
$750,000 X%
Madison Avenue Hair Design
$500,000-$1 M
$750,000 X%
Robert's Hair Styling
$500,000-$1 M
$750,000 X%
Hair Crafters
Under $500,000
$250,000 X%
Hair Benders
Under $500,000
$250,000 X%
Hair Dudes
Under $500,000
$250,000 X%
……..
…….
TOTAL
$X Million
Step by step guide for calculating market
share in CBD is included in the 3MC3
research guide
100%
Business Statistics:
Statistics Canada: http://www.statcan.ca
New Design and Added Functionality
Search
Useful
Links
Summary Tables - Canadian Statistics
Statistics by subject – overview of trends and brief articles
Community Profiles (2001):
Census data for Hamilton
The Daily - access to newly released data
E-STAT: Time Series Data
Includes CANSIM and Census data
Use library web site to access free data
from E-STAT including CANSIM and
Census data
 Use Databases tab
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Type in e-stat in search box
At the welcome screen don’t forget to click on
the Accept and Enter button
E-STAT ToC: Population &
Demography – Census databases
E-STAT – Select geographic area by
name or postal code
E-STAT: Tract 45 includes postal
code L8S 4M4
Boundaries of Census Tract 45
E-STAT: FREE access to CANSIM data
e.g. Finding Consumer Spending Data
Click here then select
Consumer spending
E-STAT: Household spending table: 203-0001
Avg. clothing expenditures
Select
a table
& choose
items
from
the
menus
Result: Create a table, bar graph, etc.
Canadian Business Patterns
How many businesses are there in Canada?
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Provides counts of active business establishments
on the basis of geography (e.g., Hamilton CMA),
employment size ranges (e.g., 1-4), and
industrial activity (e.g. NAICS code)
1996 to the present
Available via Library Data Service @ Mills (1st
floor). Must sign license agreement - McMaster
Users Only
Useful for industry trend analysis
Trial Products – Limited Time Only
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Business Source Complete
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Trial extended to Oct 31
Access from Innis web site bubble or on
3MC3 guide
Good source for industry / company
profiles
Plunkett Research Online
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New very limited trial until Nov 1
US in focus but excellent source for
industry analysis, overview, statistics…
Quick Start Page for 3MC3:
http://library.mcmaster.ca/innis/find/3mc3.htm
Research/Reference Help Desk
Hours:
M-F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Phone:
(905) 525-9140, ext. 23318
E-Mail:
innisref@mcmaster.ca
IM:
http://library.mcmaster.ca/
justask/chat.htm