The University of
Oklahoma

Professional English


Online Course

Business Information and Research

Accurate and timely information is essential for any business to remain competitive. With the Internet, you can gather a tremendous amount of business intelligence information on prospects, competitors, vendors, suppliers, customers, or other companies in just a few hours.

Professional English Menu

Home Page
Required Work
Unit 1:  Eight Steps to Effective Writing
Unit 2:  Effective Business Letters / Format / Style / Organization
Unit 3:  Grammar and Style Review
Unit 4:  Resumes
Unit 5:  Proposals
Unit 6:  Business Information and Research
Unit 7:  Annual Reports


Other Resources

Business Week Online
New York Times
Forbes
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Company Annual Reports
Report Gallery
Small Business Administration's Office of International Trade
Fortune
Elements of a Grant Proposal
Search Engine



Purposes of Business Information and Research
     
Decision-making
    Career-planning
    Strategic marketing
    Market intelligence
    Financial information   

Resources
    Hoover's Online:  The Business Authority -- information on corporations
    E-Business Research Center:  cio.com
    Center for Women's Business Research
    Home Business Research Center
    Small Business Research Portal
    Researching Companies online:  A Tutorial


Work
    Research five companies and provide the following summary of information
    -- overview of key business
    -- mission / vision statement
    -- overview of financial condition
    -- unique elements in their business & strategic plan