Research Advice
To analyze your company, you will research both the company and the external environment. You may also want to see if you can find a published SWOT to "jumpstart" your research.
To look for a SWOT, follow the directions in "Some published SWOT analyses" below.
To research companies & the external environment, use resources in the guides listed under boxes 2. & 3.
Note: Each of these links takes you to a separate research guide.
The green links to the left offer ways to find info on how to cite your sources or on how to get help from a librarian. This research isn't always easy, so advice from a librarian could come in handy!
SWOT Template and Explanation
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Introduction to SWOT AnalysisThis is a brief presentation that explains how to do a SWOT analysis. Please see the notes pages of the slides for a more detailed explanation.
2. Company Research
Use resources in the Research Guides below to learn more about your company.
Essential Sources:
Annual Report to Shareholders (usually in investor section of company web site)
Recent 10-K filing (via EDGAR)
Articles on company in ABI/INFORM database.
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Company Research guideTakes you to a different guide with links to sources of info on both public and private companies. Choose the brown tab that fits your company type (public, private, etc.) for a list of resources.
3. Analyze the External Environment
Use resources from the guides below to analyse the external environment.
Especially recommended:
S&P Industry Surveys
Market research reports in Mintel
Articles in ABI/INFORM
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Industry ResearchTakes you to a different research guide with sources for many types of industry info.
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Social Audit of a CompanyThis guide was created for another class that is researching social performance of a company. It could help with the question: "How are changing societal issues affecting this organization and its industry?"
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Market ResearchThis research guide may to help find relevant issues relating to customers.