While the Business Department at the BRIC is physically closed we remain committed to your professional development. Our programs and services have been moved online. Check out our upcoming virtual programs, schedule an appointment with a librarian, stay current by signing up for our newsletter, and access our virtual library of classes and database demonstrations. Still have questions? Reach out to us and let us know how we can help!
Business
Whether you are an emerging entrepreneur or an established small business owner, the Business Resource and Innovation Center is here for you!
If you are running a successful company, thinking of growing your business, or just planning your first venture, start here! Dedicated to assisting the professionals of Greater Philadelphia in all stages of business growth, the BRIC offers a variety of resources to help fit the needs of the community. Are you looking to narrow down your target market? Find your ideal demographic? Identify and analyze your competition? We can help you do that!
See what everyone is saying about our great service!
Our Services
- Present and provide free and low-cost workshops and programs
- Provide free access to electronic resources
- Access to video library of classes as and database demonstrations
- Provide a comprehensive collection of print resources on topics including: business planning, marketing, accounting/bookkeeping management, advertising, and website building
- Curated list of online resources and sample documents
- Extensive network of local and national partners
Start Here!
The Business Resource and Innovation Center is excited to offer one-on-one sessions with a librarian. We can provide individual training on our databases with regard to market research, demographics, competitors, sales lists, and general business planning. Appointments are generally 45 minutes to one hour in length. Schedule your appointment today!
Upcoming Events
Showing 1 to 2 of 12
Virtual Creating a Competitive Analysis
Wed, April 21, 2021
10:00 A.M.
Parkway Central Library
Learn how to identify your competitors and evaluate their strategies to determine their strengths and weaknesses relative to those of your own product or service. Topics to be covered include: How to identify your industry competitors Profiling your key competition How to analyze the strengths…
Ask the Banker
Thu, April 22, 2021
10:30 A.M.
Parkway Central Library
Don’t miss your chance to ask the banker! Get your important business questions answered directly from the source. This session will cover types of commercial banks and loans, what you need to apply for a business loan, how you determine the creditworthiness of a company, and more! This…
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: Online Nutrition Coach
Greenland, Paul. "Online Nutrition Coach." Business Plans Handbook, edited by Donna Craft, vol. 45, Gale, 2019, pp. 105-110. Small Business Plans Handbooks, Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 6 Oct. 2020.
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 Ffree 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.
-
Take a tour of BRIC's go-to demographics and B2C sales list databases
-
Take a tour of BRIC's go-to business research and B2B sales list databases.
-
Take a tour of BRIC's powerful demographics and GIS mapping database.
-
Take a tour of BRIC's go-to market research database.
-
Take a tour of BRIC's favorite place to access full-text sample business plans.
-
Take a tour of the Free Library's premier online learning databases.
Online Resources
Curated especially for the needs of local entrepreneurs, these websites will help you continue your research, and stay informed about the Philadelphia small business network! For more information, contact the BRIC business department or schedule an appointment to meet with a librarian.
Partners
Philadelphia offers a vast array of small business development resources. We are proud to call these organizations partners as we work together to foster the small business community.
