Growing Your Small Business

Demographics & Economic Data

Keep an eye on industry trends and customer interests. This means knowing where the future lies in your industry in such areas as potential competitors, new technology, cultural change and economic and demographic trends.

Do not neglect to identify and keep watch on the competition. The most successful small businesses have learned that analyzing the competition is a never-ending job. To know what you should be doing, you must know what your competitors are doing.

Trade shows are good for identifying suppliers and reviewing the competing products. Contact your trade association to find a list of the shows they are sponsoring or are attending.

To assist you in your research:

• Empire State Development's New York State Data Center provides information on economic trends, conditions and statistics. It is New York's primary repository of economic and demographic data.
  
  
• Use the New York State Library's research services or find your local Public Library.
  
  
• The U.S. Small Business Administration America's small business resource offers research project studies on economic, census and financial statistics.
  
  
• The New York State Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) are administered by the U. S. Small Business Administration to provide management assistance to current and prospective small business owners. Their Research Network includes a team of professional librarians who search the Web to find information on any small business topic.
  
  
• Federal Statistics is the gateway to statistics from over 100 U.S. Federal Agencies.
  
  
• U.S. Census Bureau has timely, relevant data about the people and economy of the United States.
  
  
• The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance - Policy and Statistical Reports provide tax data on sales and purchases by county.
  
  
• The New York State Department of Labor provides state-wide data on the labor market, present and future economic trends, economic conditions, wages and health-related statistics