Answer
First thing, I hope it’s obvious, we aren’t experts in a lot of different specific businesses. We can help you with general techniques on finding information, not in the specifics for your type of business. However, we do have some resources, including several free resources, that can help you.
We’ve posted two web books, free [...]

Question
How can I determine the market penetration opportunity available in a category?
Answer
The key word in this question is opportunity, which makes this a critical question, for which there are no formulas, no magic answers. Market penetration is one thing, but market penetration opportunity is a far more important and deeper concept.
Determining market penetration is conceptually [...]

Question
I need to create timelines, etc., for the relaunch of a community newspaper. The paper is a national concern with offices in two states. I need help in creating the timelines as well as general marketing advice.
Answer
I’m not sure how much we can help here in this space but let me give you some things [...]

Question
We have reduced to practice and are in patent work with a new technology application that fits the definition for “destructive innovation,” as stated in C. Christensen’s book, “The Innovator’s Dilemma.”
Where does one start with trying to get attention for a device that departs from the conventional to the point where “focus groups” could not [...]

Question
I’m working on the marketing analysis for my business. What are some of the most effective strategies in finding the information needed for my competitors? I’ve tried looking on the Internet but the information was very general. How do I get the information that you suggest for the competitve evaluation? My business is a [...]

Question
Hi, my partner and I purchased Business Plan Pro and think it’s a great tool. The problem we are having is forecasting sales and the profit and loss statement. We are a start-up record label. We both have experience in the area and can assume figures to some degree, but there are several factors that [...]

Question
What are the legal issues involved with using information gathered from various sources (Internet, Neilsen ratings, magazine articles, etc.) in your business plan?
This would be information that you use to substantiate the fact that you expect your business to grow based on industry information, and/or the strategies you plan to put into place are proven [...]

Question
My aim is to provide a professional services plan, which can be used in conjunction with the branch’s business plan, to provide a clear structure of promotion and development of professional services.
We are a government endorsed supplier, predominantly dealing with government agencies to deliver a number of technology solutions. However, as the technology market is [...]

Question
I am considering opening a start-up products based company.
Before I begin, I feel I need a “pulse” of the community to see if the product I plan to offer is really needed. Just because it is something I would utilize doesn’t mean that the rest of the public would.
My question then, is where can I [...]

Question
I need to compare my small business outcomes with standards of like businesses. We have a small family clothing store.
Can you please tell me where to find this information on the Internet?
Answer
The best way to get comparable information of small business clothing stores on the Internet is to join message boards and chat rooms attended [...]