Business
Premium Tools
Brought to you by MeL
Concise yet comprehensive summaries to help professionals and students keep up with the latest information in the business world. A wide range of topics is covered including business biographies, change management, communication, entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, personal growth, productivity and technology.
Brought to you by MeL
Comprehensive business and demographic information valuable to assess business viability, create sales leads and marketing mailing lists, complete location analyses and business plans, analyze population trends, find potential sponsors and donors and much more.
Brought to you by MeL
A key resource for academic and business school libraries.
Brought to you by MeL
The latest insights on entrepreneurship and small business topics for business students and researchers. Content comes from business journals, magazines, reference books, case studies and company profiles.
Brought to you by CADL
Thousands of high-quality online courses developed by recognized industry experts on the latest software, creative, and business skills. Log on and learn at your own pace. This resource can only be accessed with an individual library card account. Due to vendor restrictions, we cannot provide access to business card accounts.
When logging in, although it asks for a "PIN", you need to use the same password that you use to log into your account in our catalog.
After you have activated your LinkedIn Learning account for the first time using a web browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, etc.), you can download the LinkedIn Learning app from your app store. When you sign in to the app, use "cadl" for the Library ID.
Learn How to Get Started Using LinkedIn Learning
CADL library card required (this includes Student Success Initiative cards)
Brought to you by CADL
Directory information for individuals and business. (Formerly ReferenceUSA)(Use this link if you are on a library computer to save more records at one time.)
CADL library card required (this includes Student Success Initiative cards)
Brought to you by MeL
Provides coverage from regional business publications for the U.S. and Canada.
Brought to you by MeL
Offers coverage that addresses many small business topics from consumer small business reference books, business videos, help and advice section and how to create business plans.
Business Plans
Start with the Michigan Small Business Development Center Start a Business page. It includes links to their Guide to Starting and Operating a Small Business and a variety of other resources that will help you at the beginning stages. Then see if there are any SBDC Writing a Business Plan workshops coming up near you.
Ebsco Small Business Reference Center has sample business plans. Use these for inspiration. To find the business plans, click on the link then click on Startup Kit and Business Plans.
The Small Business Administration has great resource articles on writing your business plan. And a Business Plan Builder.
CADL, of course, has lots of great books to help you get your business plan started. Be sure to check the catalog or your local branch. There are many books that are focused specifically on a type of business, eg. Food Truck Business.
As you work on your business plan, you’ll find that you will need to use the resources in the sections below.
Demographics & Psychographics
Start with these business databases
Check these public websites
Company Information
Start with the business databases
- Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA) (at library | at home)
- Small Business Reference Center
Be sure to check the company's website and look for their annual reports. Also, check AnnualReports.com
It is easier to find information about a company that is publicly traded. If you are searching for a private company, try searching the local newspaper of the area the company is located and spend some time searching business articles in the databases.
Find more company information at these public websites
- EDGAR Company Filings (EDGAR Guide)
- Forbes' Lists
- Dun & Broadstreet
- Company Research Guide from Ohio University
- IndustryWeek 1000
- MondoTimes: American Media Companies
- Thomas Register
Industry Information
Start with thinking about search terms to define your industry. For example, construction, masonry, builders, landscaping, and carpentry all cover different aspects of the building and construction industries. It can be helpful to identify the NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) Code for the industry.
Use the different search terms you brainstormed to search in the industries and articles sections. You can gather a lot of industry information in business articles.
Here are a few public websites with industry information:
- Statista (this is the free version and does not include premium features)
- SBA Statistics for Specific Industries
- Bureau of Labor Statistics - Industries at a Glance
Check association websites. Many industries have multiple associations that concentrate on the industry. While they often charge for full industry reports, limited information will on their site and may be listed in the association's press releases.
Money Matters
Business Finance
SBA.gov has great resources to help you understand your financing needs and information about funding programs.
Startup Financing
Use the USA.gov pages to guide you to possible government resources to access financing for your business.
Locally, Michigan Women's Foundation has a Michigan Women's Microloan Fund and you can search for Michigan locations on the SBA Microloan page.
The Hatching is a local business pitch competition. Accelerate Michigan is a statewide competition.
Investment Research
Find Historical Stock Quotes at Yahoo! Finance Historical Prices or Big Charts Historical Quotes. If you are looking for a quote from a stock that no longer exists, the microfilm collection at our Downtown Lansing branch is the place to check.
Public and Government websites
Legal
Public and Government websites
- Ingham County Doing Business As
- IRS.gov Employer ID Numbers (EIN) aka Federal Tax Identification Number
- Michigan Business Entity Search
- Michigan Licenses and Permits Search
- SBA.gov Business Law & Regulations
- SBA.gov Choose Your Business Structure
The Library also has access to Ebsco Legal Information Reference Center. Find copies of actual forms and documents to help with legal and business needs. It is important to note that not all Michigan courts may accept the legal forms in the resource. You may wish to check SCAO-Approved Court Forms and/or consult an attorney for assistance.
Marketing
Check the schedule at the Michigan Small Business Development Center to see what marketing classes are scheduled.
Learn the tools
- Meta (Facebook) Blueprint
- Google Analytics Skillshop
- Google's Guide to Adwords
- Google Search Central
- Instagram Business
- Pinterest Business
Public websites
- Entrepreneur - How to Create a Marketing Plan
- Entrepreneur - Marketing
- Google for Small Business
- Google Primer App (search in your app store)
- SBA Marketing
- SCORE Article Library (Select Marketing under the topic dropdown)
Youth Resources
Local Organizations
Classes and Consulting
Chambers, Rotaries, Business Associations
- Haslett-Okemos Rotary Club
- Black Business Alliance of Greater Lansing
- Lansing Regional Chamber
- Lansing Rotary
- Leslie Area Chamber of Commerce
- Mason Area Chamber of Commerce
- Mason Rotary
- Meridian Area Business Association
- Rotary Club of Williamston Sunrise
- South Lansing Business Association
- South Lansing/Holt Rotary
- Stockbridge Area Chamber of Commerce