Depending on the type of business that you are considering, the amount of information available will vary. In general, the more common a business is, the more information you will be able to find. The first place to check is business directories and business profiles. A local library, such as a public or university library, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in your area, or your state department of commerce or economic development can provide you with access to these resources. There are a number of resources available, so be sure to ask a reference librarian for some assistance in locating the best information.
Some things you should look for when investigating a business opportunity include:
? Trends for new or improved products and services: What's new on the market? What are the customers' needs?
? Strategic alliance opportunities: Who else is selling what you have, and is there a way to complement each other?
? Opportunities for beating your competition: What's more important to your customers—price, quality, features, prestige?
