Sample Documents

Just getting started? Find inspiration in this collection of sample business documents and quick resource guides. If you need additional assistance, contact the BRIC business department or schedule an appointment to meet with a librarian.

• Small Business Resources Guide
• Business Model Canvas
• Value Proposition Canvas
• The Entrepreneur's Guide: Starting and Growing a Business in Pennsylvania
• Business Structure Options
• Outline of a Business Plan
• Business Plan Template
  "Business Plan Template." Business Plans Handbook, edited by Donna Craft, vol. 45, Gale, 2019, pp. 163-166. Small Business Plans Handbooks, Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Oct. 2020.
• Sample Business Plan: Supply Chain Consultant
  Greenland, Paul. "Supply Chain Consultant." Business Plans Handbook, edited by Donna Craft, vol. 52, Gale, 2022, pp. 167-178. Gale E-books.

Databases and Digital Resources

Explore our extensive collection of premier business databases. If you need additional assistance utilizing the databases contact the BRIC business department or schedule an appointment to meet with a librarian.

Video Content Library

Explore our video library which includes our most popular classes as well as demonstrations on how to access and use the business databases.

Classes

Did you miss a class? Did you forget which database does what? Do you need a refresher course? We are excited to provide on-demand access to our classes on YouTube.

• Business Plan Toolkit

  New to entrepreneurship, business research, or writing a business plan? Start here! Learn to use Free Library resources to research your business plan professionally! This class is broken down into five parts: Introduction to Business Plans and Industry Classification Codes, Competitive Analysis, Demographics, Market Research, and Financials and Additional Free Resources in Philadelphia.

• Introduction to Market Research

  Learn to conduct market research using Free Library resources! This class will introduce you to the knowledge required to begin researching your industry to better understand the state of your product or service. Get an introduction to industry codes, gain a better understanding of the market using demographic data, and examine the market share by researching the competition.

• Creating a Competitive Analysis

  Learn how to conduct a competitive analysis using Free Library resources! This class will help you identify your industry competitors, profile your key competition, and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors against your own company.

• Introduction to Demographic Research: Finding Your Target Audience

  Learn how to find and narrow your target audience using Free Library databases and other free online resources! In this session you will learn how to make use of demographics, psychographics, market research, and open data.

Database Demonstrations

Business research is an important component of business ownership because it helps to lay the foundation on which businesses start and grow! Learn how to access information on business plans, industry trends and opportunities, demographics, sales leads, competitors, and best practices using our premier business databases.

• D&B Global Business Browser

  Take a tour of BRIC's most advanced market research database, D&B Global Business Browser!

• Gale E-books: Business Plans Handbook

  Take a tour of BRIC's favorite place to access full-text sample business plans.

• Gale Small Business Builder

  Take a tour of BRIC's go-to business planning database.

• Mergent Intellect: First Research

  Take a tour of BRIC's go-to market research database.

• Reference Solutions: US Businesses, US New Businesses, and US Healthcare

  Take a tour of BRIC's go-to business research and B2B sales list databases.

• Reference Solutions: US Consumers & Lifestyles / New Movers & Homeowners

  Take a tour of BRIC's go-to demographics and B2C sales list databases

• Simply Analytics

  Take a tour of BRIC's powerful demographics and GIS mapping database.