How the Net can boost your bottom line: Web sites packed with resources and information to help your business.Sure you've got a fast computer and a high-speed modem, but your Web browser The program that serves as your front end to the Web on the Internet. In order to view a site, you type its address (URL) into the browser's Location field; for example, www.computerlanguage.com, and the home page of that site is downloaded to you. is just sitting there in neutral. And the question remains: How can I find specific information that will benefit my business' There are various search engines and directories that can assist you (for more on search engines, see "Surfers
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* FedWorld. (http://www.fed world.gov/). FedWorld is a one-stop location to find, order and have U.S. government information delivered to you. Fedworld arranges its public sector index by subject category (i.e., construction, trade, etc.). There are government publications and files you can download To receive a file transmitted over a network. In any communications session, "download" means receive, and "upload" means send. The download/upload often implies a big/little scenario, in which data is being downloaded from the "big" server into the "little" user's computer. and read. Click on the various industry headings until you locate the government agency that you need. * Bureau of Labor Statistics Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) A research agency of the U.S. Department of Labor; it compiles statistics on hours of work, average hourly earnings, employment and unemployment, consumer prices and many other variables. (http://www.bls.gov). You could spend a week at this Web site downloading and reading various economic publications that are online. It has economic information on employment and unemployment by region, prices and living conditions living conditions npl → condiciones fpl de vida living conditions npl → conditions fpl de vie living conditions living , the role of technology in the labor market labor market A place where labor is exchanged for wages; an LM is defined by geography, education and technical expertise, occupation, licensure or certification requirements, and job experience and employment projections. There's a lot of good research information compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that will be useful for businesses and entrepreneurs. * The U.S. Department of Commerce (http://www.doc.gov) has a Web site that contains useful publications and information on areas of the economy and trade. Hyperlinks will take you to other Commerce Department agencies, including the Minority Business Development Agency. * Advanced Research Projects Agency's Small Business Support Center (http:// www.arpa.mil/ shir/). This Web site is devoted to informing small and disadvantaged businesses of the federal grants available for research and development. Specifically, businesses can learn if they qualify for these grants; and if they don't, how to qualify for the Small Business Innovation Research Program. * The Edgar Web site (http:// edgar.stern.nyu.edu/) publishes the electronic filings that corporations are required to submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission. If you would like to know how a public company's earnings have changed in recent years, how much long-term debt Long-Term Debt Loans and financial obligations lasting over one year. Notes: For example debts obligations such as bonds and notes which have maturities greater than one year would be considered long-term debt. the company is carrying or what their cash flow looks like, you can find it all on Edgar. * The Black Information Network (http://www.bin.com/ homepage. htm) is a site that monitors and collects information from public and private sources. Select the Businesses and Opportunities icon and you will get information on the Black Expo, SBA SBA abbr. Small Business Administration Noun 1. SBA - an independent agency of the United States government that protects the interests of small businesses and ensures that they receive a fair share of government loans and Section 8(a) business development programs. Finally, here are a couple of excellent Web sites that are fee-based. You will need to set up an account with these providers before you'll be able to download or view the information. Take a minute to stop by them. You may find that the wealth of information is worth the price. * Stat-USA (http://www.statusa.gov). For about $100 a year, you can tap into the National Trade Data Bank. This contains government collected information on trade, exports countries and products. It also lists demographic and socioeconomic so·ci·o·ec·o·nom·ic adj. Of or involving both social and economic factors. socioeconomic Adjective of or involving economic and social factors Adj. 1. conditions in these countries. There is also a section that identifies government procurement Government procurement, also called public tendering, is the procurement of goods and services on behalf of a public authority, such as a government agency. With 10 to 15% of GDP in developed countries, and up to 20% in developing countries, government procurement accounts and lead information. * Lexis-Nexis Small Business Advisor (http://lex-nex.openmarket. com/lexis-nexis). Lexis-Nexis is the giant of information. Everyone from journalists to judges uses this service to find an array of information. Almost every magazine published is stored electronically in Lexis-Nexis. You can select information that is relevant to your business for 95 cents per article. There is also a small business service that lists various businesses for sale with the contacts. |
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