Idea Generation Tools
- Business Journals and NewspapersBusiness journals and newspapers for trend-spotting and articles about new products/services. Selected journals include: Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Industry and Innovation, Business Week, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, MIT Technology Review, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. (Check to see if the library has an electronic copy of a journal/newspaper.)
- Company RankingsMany publications such as Forbes, Inc. and Fast Company track fastest-growing and “top” companies in different locations or industries. Search library article databases such as Business Source Complete, ProQuest Direct and Factiva to find coverage of how other firms have made their mark. This Library of Congress link identifies many ranking lists available in various magazines and other sources.
- Google TrendsUse Google Trends tool to see what is being searched for right now and what has been popular. Try searching "ipod" or "startups".
- PatentsReviewing recent patents can be a goldmine of ideas. The Engineering Library has excellent suggestions for patent research.
- ScienceResearch.comScientific search engine. Find topics based on keyword searches. ScienceResearch indexes selected scholarly journals, government sites, educational sites (.edu) and much more.
Where Should Your Business Be Located?
Will it be Internet-based? Will it have a production facility? Do you want to be near high income earners? Or perhaps choose a location that has certain demographics? Consider using the following tools for this all-important decision:
- SimplyAnalyticsSimplyAnalytics is a web-based mapping application that allows you to create thematic maps and reports using demographic, business, and marketing data for the United States. Excellent source for locating demographic and marketing data for specific geographic locations.
- State and County QuickFactsQuickFacts now includes data for cities and towns with more that 25,000 people. Click Business Quicklinks for employer statistics and Country Business Patterns Economic Profile.