There is a lot of business information available, but a quick broad brush approach to finding it often doesn’t uncover the detailed information businesses require. In business research, you are often looking for more detailed, specific information that will help your research client to gain a better understanding of their potential business partners, customers, or suppliers. Quite often your research client wants to uncover information that will assist them to know what a company is planning to do in the future, to help your client prepare for buying, selling or dealing with the target company. Here are a few tips to help you, and your research client, to find some hidden gems of information: Read more...

Heather presented two workshops in Melbourne, in September 2010, to members of the Australian Law Librarians' Association and the Melbourne Business Information Group. The workshop attracted information professionals from BHP Billiton, Victorian Government library services, Australian Road Research Board, Orica Australia, Nous Group and various law firms. "Very impressive delivery and great to contemplate on the major issues that make or break the profession" Read more...

Importers and exporters are encouraged to seek out good information about the overseas markets they are looking to do business with. It is quite easy to find broad information for overseas markets and industries. Finding more detailed information about overseas companies, markets and their people often requires the subtle insight a local researcher can uncover. For reliable overseas market information, it is ideal to tap into research experts in the local area or country who can provide valuable context and texture about the market in their region. The Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) has over five hundred members located in over fifteen countries around the world – a great resource of expert researchers from Europe, Asia Pacific, United States, Canada and Latin America. Read more...

We are overwhelmed by information, yet finding the precise answer for many business questions can still be difficult. Business questions are often forward looking and very narrow, such as, what will the demand for consulting services in xyz field be over the next two years in the Asia Pacific Region? There isn’t a one size fits all approach to finding the answers to narrow business questions, however, the following factors will shape your approach to finding the answer. Read more...

There are six key steps to keep in mind for finding competitive information for business. The steps bring together elements of the searcher’s professional interest as a specialist in their field, research know-how, knowledge management and networking. Read more...