Searching the business news

ABI/Inform Global: Find research on advertising, marketing, economics, human resources, finance, taxation, computers, and more.

ABI/Inform Trade & Industry: journals and articles on specific industries

Business & Company Resource Center: Information on companies, rankings, suits & claims, and much more.

Business Source Premier: Business magazines & journals; industry reports, and company analysis.

What is a private company?

A private company is owned by a single person or a select group of people. It is not traded on a stock exchange (New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, etc). Therefore it is not required to file documents to the Securities & Exchange Commission(SEC). In essence, it does not have to
tell anyone anything about its business.

Other documents that both public and private companies can produce include:

• Press Releases = announcing company events, position changes, etc.
• Product Announcements = announcing new products or services.
• Marketing/Promotional Literature = information on products, advertising campaigns, prices, etc.

What is a public company?

A public company is owned by shareholders. It is traded on a stock exchange and by law must
file certain documents to the SEC. Therefore finding information on a public company is much easier than find information on a private company.
A public company must publish a series of documents that are available to the general public. This can include the following:

• 10 – K = Annual filing of financial information.
• 10 – Q = Quarterly filing of financial information.
• Prospectus = Document detailing the benefits of investing in the company, sent out to potential investors.
• Proxy = Document sent out to current shareholders discussing recent changes and often allowing shareholders to vote for corporate officers.
• Annual Report = Document sent out to current shareholders detailing the previous year’s activities including some financial information from the 10 – K.

Public & Private Companies

Business & Company Resource Center: Information on companies, rankings, suits & claims, and much more

Business Source Premier: Business magazines & journals; industry reports, and company analysis.

Hoover´s: Database containing large public & private companies.  Information includes profiles, competitors, financials, and recent articles.

Public Companies

Mergent Online: Financial and management information on US & International public companies.

SWOT Analysis

QuickMBA: SWOT Analysis
The role of SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) in strategic planning, including an overview of the TOWS matrix.