Business Plan Research
Week 4: Competitive Landscape

1. Who are the major competitors?
   1. Understand corporate affiliations and ownership
      • know the difference between parent and subsidiary, and between public and private companies.
   2. Be familiar with standard industrial directories
      • know the possible sources of company listings.
   
   
   
2. What are the key financial ratios?
   1. Understand the differences between common ratios.
   2. Be familiar with standard sources of industry financial ratios.
   
   
   
3. Do some look-ups
   1. Determine the number of companies in your industry according to County Business Patterns.
   2. Search the D&B Million Dollar Database for major companies in your industry.
   3. Use CorporateInformation to find an online corporate directory for your industry.
   
   
   
4. For further assistance, consult the Company Research Guide.