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Canadian Statistics

 

Canadian Market Research made fast and easy.


You have probably done a bit of research already. (And spent far more time that you would have preferred)

Like most entrepreneurs, you have tried Strategis and Statistics Canada without finding a great deal of specific information. (Do not be too discouraged - no one has much success on those web sites.)


The trick to successful and speedy market research is to know what sources exist before you go looking for them!


Researching a Small Business 2002 gives you that edge. It allows you to draw on our five years of experience in researching thousands of small businesses in Canada.

And it now includes a February 2003 update.

It will cut your research time in half!  (actually in a half of a half!)


The advantage is that you will have a comprehensive list of key Canadian sources specific to your type of business before you even start looking for data.

No more fumbling around looking for sources that might not even exist. Why waste time playing telephone tag with the government, when we can tell you where to source the data yourself?

Researching a Small Business 2002 gives you the title, author, publication date, even the on-line address when one is available.

And if you need even more sources we provide you with a professional research strategy on how to quickly find them yourself.

 



Researching a Small Business 2002
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Researching a Small Business 2002:
Table of Contents

Time and money are at a premium for all new entrepreneurs. Researching a Small Business 2002 helps you save both.

Each chapter focuses on a different key aspect of researching a small business in Canada. All advice is straight forward and to the point. The sources identified are practical, accessible and most importantly cost effective (that means FREE in most cases!).

 

Researching a Small Business 2002
A guide to finding free & low cost
Canadian Business data

Printed version: ISBN 0-9687011-2-4
Electronic Version: ISBN: 0-968-7011-3-2


Chapter 1: Business Research identified the mistakes that most new entrepreneurs make when they conduct research. They spend days even weeks researching their market only to learn later (when their business goes bankrupt) that all of the information they gathered was either exaggerated or false.

Learn how to approach market research so that you will discover the true opportunities that exist not the one's you hope for!


Chapter 2: The Entrepreneur & the Idea reveals the three basic questions that must be answered before you can be certain that you can succeed at the type of business you want to start.

Many new entrepreneurs are eager to start the most profitable business they can find without considering their own skills and resources. No matter how lucrative a market is, if the business does not match with the strengths of the entrepreneur it will fail.


Chapter 3: The Market provides you with a research strategy for determining your real market. The principal Canadian sources for market data are not only identified but you are told in detail how to use them effectively.

Do not base your market strategy on hype. Understand the opportunities that actually exist.


Chapter 4: The Industry identifies the key Canadian sources available to develop your cash flow statement and create realistic performance expectations.

For a business to be successful it must understand the current performance of its industry and the trends and concerns affecting it. Only then can you assess the strength of your competitors and be in a position to outperform them.


Chapter 5: Marketing & Operations Analysis shows you step by step how to create a Sales Framework Chart so that you can track the performance of each aspect of your new business and identify specific areas where you can improve your bottom line.


Appendix A - Researching on the Internet provides you with a detailed research strategy that is guaranteed to increase your chances of research success on the Internet. Learn how to get the most out of search engines and how to research on-line even more effectively without them!


Appendix B -Source Lists lists over 6500 Canadian references and includes advice on how to find even more.  The references are organized by market and industry sector.

This is the heart of Researching a Small Business 2002. It is the most complete list of Canadian small business data sources available anywhere.

Many business development centres and small business advisors right across the country have purchased our guide as a key reference tool.


Appendix C - Data Sources identifies libraries and resource centres across the country where you can access all the sources listed.


Appendix D - Statistics provides you with a few initial numbers to help you get your business research started. They include basic numbers about starting a successful small business in Canada (such as the number one quality of a successful entrepreneur) as well as specific numbers on which industries have seen the greatest increase in small businesses and which one have seen them disappear!


February 2003 Update:  includes over 2500 new and updated statistical sources organized by the same market and industry sectors used in Appendix B.

 



Researching a Small Business 2002
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What do people who don't work for the company think?

 

I was very happy to receive and to assess your excellent research guide "Researching a Small Business 2002".

We are recommending it to our Canada Business Service Centres across Canada.

I found that it not only contained a vast amount of useful information but that it was presented in a clear and simple manner, with all pertinent websites and addresses included.

I especially liked the fact that the material was Canadian and I found the price quite reasonable.

Marcelle Lafontaine
Liaison and Government Publications Coordinator
Canada Business Service Centres
National Secretariat
Ottawa

 


 

Let me express my sincere appreciation for your efforts in publishing the guide to small business research which I recently purchased and downloaded .. an absolutely remarkable achievement.

I was speechless when reviewing it for the first time.

As an entrepreneurship and marketing research prof and private research consultant, your guide will be an immense help to me, let alone the countless small business people out there baffled by secondary data sources. So thank you.

Leslie P. Roberts
Mercatus Research Ltd.


 



Researching a Small Business 2002
Researching a Small Business 2002 Table of Contents Order Now

 

Who buys such a guide?

Our guide has been purchased by individuals interesting in starting their own business and by organizations dedicated to helping them.

Researching a Small Business 2002 can be found right across the country in Canada Business Services Centres, municipal business development centres, public and university libraries, offices of business consultants as well as in private companies.

A significant number of our customers purchase our guide every year so they can take advantage of the updated and expanded content. These include:

  • The Business Link (Edmonton AB)
  • Small Business Centre (London ON)
  • Humber College Library (Toronto ON)

The guide is specifically designed for new entrepreneurs in Canada with limited research experience and an even more limited research budget!
 



Researching a Small Business 2002
Researching a Small Business 2002 Table of Contents Order Now

 

Who wrote the book?

The guide was written by John White, the principal and founder of GDSourcing.

Prior to starting his own company in 1997, John worked for Statistics Canada for a number of years both in data collection and dissemination. He has a detailed understanding of their published and unpublished databases. He also has reliable and accessible contacts throughout the government who can identify the availability of special tabulations and upcoming reports.

John is involved in three seminar series in the Toronto area on researching a small business. One is conducted on behalf of the Ontario government, the second for Seneca College while the third is presented in conjunction with the Self-Employment Benefits program funded by Human Resources Development Canada.

Over the summer of 2001 he was involved in a pilot long distance learning project with the Community Futures Development Corporation of Alberni-Clayoquot. Through a series of on-line workshops John is helping entreprenuers with disabilities on Vancouver Island research their business ventures. Researching a Small Business 2002 was the textbook chosen by the program coordinator.

John has appeared twice on the television program CareersTV as a expert guest and has been published and quoted in a number of entrepreneurial publications including the Globe & Mail.

He stresses a practical approach to researching a new business that is geared towards a small or moderate research budget.

 



Researching a Small Business 2002
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Our business is research not selling books

Do you know what type of business most small business authors have experience running? Writing books on how to start a small business! They cannot tell you the details about conducting research because they have never really done it.

Our business is selling HPS Profiles. Each profile is individually researched so that it focuses on your business' specific niche. It identifies the key factors you need to know to ensure your venture is positioned for success

We therefore have direct experience researching every type of business imaginable. (Canadians are very innovative.)


The sources we identify are not culled from a library index. We have actually used them in our own research.

 

Researching a Small Business 2002 was originally designed as an internal training manual for our employees but when we received a great deal of interest from business advisors across the country we decided to begin selling it to the public.

Now in its sixth edition the guide is even bigger and better than ever, running to 975 pages in length. The new February 2003 update adds an additional 300 pages of new references.

 



Researching a Small Business 2002
Researching a Small Business 2002 Table of Contents Order Now

 

We're cheap!

Data is not cheap. Information is a commodity in the New Economy and its value is rising quickly. When you first approach a research firm you will probably be taken back by the prices thrown about.

The Canadian market research industry has no concept of the realities of the small business market. Data charges often start between $500-$1000. Even Statistics Canada now charges for much of their data. Most unpublished government data tables start between $100-$250 and easily approach $1000 for just a few figures.

Small business owners do not have $1000s to spend on market research no matter how valuable the data is. It is a basic reality of their budget size.

We are cheap by nature. We do not like to spend money that can otherwise be saved. Our principle business is conducting research for small businesses and new entrepreneurs. These types of clients have only so much money available to spend on our services so the more we spend on data charges the smaller our profit margin.

Over the years we have therefore developed techniques and tricks on paying the least amount of money to gain access to detailed data.

Researching a Small Business 2002 reveals all our secrets!

For example:

  • Learn how to get Canadian corporations to analyze your industry and market for FREE

     

  • Learn how to find U.S. government reports on key market opportunities in Canada

 

The cost for the very foundation of our business? $35.00!

 

And you can even download a copy right now and start your market research immediately.


 



Researching a Small Business 2002
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What are the odds your small business will survive?


It is a fact:

less than half of new Canadian businesses survive to their third year of operation.

DATA TABLE

.

Years in Business

NEW

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Survive

100%

76%

59%

48%

41%

35%

30%

27%

24%

21%

19%

Fail

0%

24%

41%

52%

59%

65%

70%

73%

76%

79%

81%

Source: Statistics Canada

 

How can you put the odds in your favour?

The key to small business success is effective market research.

Many entrepreneurs are so eager to get into business they don't take the time to ensure they stay in business.

Researching a Small Business 2002 shows you how to quickly and economically (for FREE in most cases) find the specific Canadian market and industry data you need to start a successful small business.

Remember:

Your business idea is only the seed of success. Your market research is what tells you where to plant it to ensure that it grows.

 

Don't just start a business.
Start a successful one.



Researching a Small Business 2002
Researching a Small Business 2002 Table of Contents Order Now

Order Options

 

Click on the order option of your choice

Price

electronic version
Including Feb 2003 Update

$35.00

CD-ROM version
Including Feb 2003 Update

$50.00

paper version
Why is the Paper Guide so expensive?

Out of Print

Why is the Paper Guide so expensive?

For the 2002 issue we have moved to a print-on-demand format with loose leaf binding. This has raised the price in the short term but allows us to provide semi-annual updates of content and source lists in the future.

Every purchase of a Paper Guide includes the February 2003 Update as well.

You will be able to purchase future updates at less than the cost of an electronic version. You will not have to purchase another full guide again!

If you have any questions about the guide please
e-mail us at [email protected]


Researching a Small Business 2002
Researching a Small Business 2002 Table of Contents Order Now