NB Almost all market research is priced and expensive; WRF has three series of UK market research that readers can consult in the library ~ Mintel, KeyNote and Snapshots

Facts and Figures – UK & international

www.statistics. gov.uk

• The official UK government statistics website

• Direct link to retail price index for inflation figures: www.statistics.gov.uk/instantfigures.asp

OFFSTATS ~ Official Statistics on the Web

www.library.auc kland.ac.nz/subjects/stats/offstats

• Searchable by Country, Region, or Topic

Statistics Finland www.stat.fi/index _en.html

• Updated frequently

• Not just Finland : click on ‘World in Figures’ – then ‘Tables’ to find statistics on Excel spreadsheets

US Census Bureau http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd

• US macroeconomic data at a glance

For exchange rates, there are lots of possible sites. Here are two:

www.oand a.com or www.xe.com

www.londonstockexchange.com is just what it says

Yahoo Finance http://uk.finance.yahoo.com

• Info on stock markets and share prices for major markets with approx. 5-6 years of historical share price data available as graphs and in tabular form

• Links to information for other countries at the bottom of the page!

Big Charts http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com

• Data and charts covering the US and some other major markets around the world

• For list of countries, click on “Global Symbol Lookup” on the top left hand area of the screen

• Historical prices are available as charts (use the Java Chart option) and as individual data items for specific dates

Jobs & Personal Finance ~ pensions, pay and prices

www.ent erprisequest.com

• Practical information for small businesses from Cobweb Information Ltd

Jobs for the girls ~ www.www2wk.com

Motley Fool website www.fool.co.uk

• Covers all sorts of personal finance including choosing ISAs, buying stocks and shares, doing self-assessment tax returns, planning your pension

• Register free to get access to the whole site and to receive a newsletter

Yahoo Finance! Your Money http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/pfinance

Houseprices can be found at www.nationwide.co.uk/hpi/calculator.asp and at www.houseprices.co.uk (for England and Wales since 2000)

Country Information ~ useful for business travel and exporters

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) www.fco.gov.uk for Travel Advice, information on Countries & Regions, as well as on Trade & Investment

BBC ~ Country Profiles http://news.bb c.co.uk/1/hi/country_profiles

• Updated frequently, includes information on international organisations such as the EU, NATO and G8

Non-secret stuff from the CIA:

• World factbook www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook

• Chiefs of state and cabinet members of foreign governments

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publicati ons/chiefs/index.html

Business Portals

British Library www.bl.uk/welcome/business.html (for referrals)

Free Pint www.freepint.com

Business Sources on the Internet www.rba.co.uk/sources

And don’t forget the ‘Business & Economics’ section on our ‘Gateway to Websites’ www.westminster.gov.uk/libraries/gatew ay/business.cfm

COBRA (The Complete Business Reference Adviser)

COBRA ( http://westminster.cobwebinfo.com ) a comprehensive, practical and continually updated information resource for anyone looking to start a business, write a business or marketing plan or conduct research into a new market.

• Business Opportunity Profiles (BOPs) - hundreds of small business idea guides (e.g. Fashion Model, Private Investigator, Mobile Takeaway, Pet Hotel, Builder, Swimming Teacher)

• Business Information Factsheets (BIFs) - over 300 practical how-to guides, reports, checklists and factsheets covering hundreds of small business subjects (e.g. Setting up an Online Store, Writing a Business Plan, Applying for Grants, Carrying out a SWOT Analysis, Methods of Entering Export Markets, Guide for Food Businesses)

• UK Market Synopses - market research guides and synopses covering dozens of UK business sectors

• Local Area Profiles - summaries of vital business information specific to local, urban and rural areas around the UK, covering the business and commercial environment and sources of business support in each local area, including training and advice, financial support, workspace and networking opportunities.

• Business Support and Finance - a directory of over 2,000 business support schemes, initiatives, grants, subsidies, events and providers of support and assistance to small firms in the UK

• Business Legal Library - clear and concise explanations on over 300 current laws and regulations facing small businesses. (e.g. Health & Safety, Employment Law, Intellectual Property, Food Safety, Tax, NI and VAT)

• Sources of Business Information - a directory of organisations dealing with issues relevant to setting up and running a small business. Provides details of who they are and what they do. (by Business Activities and Business Sectors)

• Events and Exhibitions - a national database of events and exhibitions. (by Business Activities and Business Sectors)

• Useful Contacts - a directory containing contact details for organisations of interest to anyone involved in setting up or running a business.

(Source: COBRA, About COBRA)

 

 

For further information contact us at Westminster Reference Library on x5250/x5252 or via email:

 

Alexandra Buchholz: abuchholz@westminster.gov.uk

Eveleen Rooney: erooney@westminster.gov.uk

Quiz: Write down the source(s) you used for your answer ~ Hands off Google this morning please!

 

1. I need some reliable reports on Cuba: economic, political and geographic. How up-to-date is the information? Is it safe to travel there at the moment? (or any country you fancy)

 

 

 

 

 

2. Are there really more sheep than people in New Zealand? Are there statistics to prove it?

 

 

 

 

 

3. I want to set up a business and need to carry out a SWOT-Analysis for my business plan. Do you have any literature on this topic?

 

 

 

 

 

4. I want the address of Air New Zealand’s head office – I know it is in Auckland. I’d also like financial information about the firm.

 

 

 

 

 

5. I’ve bought some shares in Capita Group. How much has the price changed over the last five years and what are they worth today?

 

 

 

 

 

6. I am interested in setting up a mobile catering service. How do I start?

 

 

 

 

 

7. I’m travelling to Venezuela soon and will need to change some money. What currency do they use and what’s the exchange rate today?

 

 

 

 

 

8. I bought my London house in 1980 for £50,000; what would it be worth now?

 

 

 

 

 

9. I need to find out about Food Hygiene. Do you have a guide for businesses?

 

 

 

 

 

10. Any company directors in the family? Do an executive search on your family name.

 

 

 

 

 

11. How many people are employed by GAP Inc.?

 

 

 

 

 

12. Are there any events on Marketing coming up in September?

 

 

 

 

 

13. What was the retail price index in the UK in July 2006?

[Retail Price Index: average measure of change in the prices of goods and services bought for the purpose of consumption by the vast majority of households in the UK]

 

 

 

 

 

14. I’ve been advised to buy an ISA; what is this and which are the best ones to buy at the moment?

 

 

 

 

 

15. Do you have any information on the ‘Work at Height Regulations 2005’?

 

 

 

 

 

16. Who is the Austrian Minister for Health & Women’s issues?

 

 

 

 

 

17. Which sector do most Bolivian people work in?

 

 

 

 

 

18. Can you suggest where I could find financial support especially for women starting up a business?

 

 

 

 

 

19. What exactly is the G8 and who is in it?

 

 

 

 

 

20. I have just moved to Central London. Where do I find vital local business information?

 

 

 

 

 

21. I am interested in Outdoor Sports and want to research the market.