Subject Guide
Articles
Articles about your company can provide useful information which will help you identify strengths and weaknesses.
Note: If the text of the article is not available in the database, use Find It @ BALL STATE to see if the full text is available in another database, or in print here in the library.
- Business Source Complete This link opens in a new windowArticles about your company can provide useful information which will help you identify strengths and weaknesses. You might combine your company name with a weakness or even the keyword "strength" or "weakness." Other search terms can found in the strengths or weaknesses portions of the SWOT analysis in the Company Profiles.
Financial Information
You can use your company's financials to identify a strength or weakness by making a comparison to the industry norms. Use the sources below to find your company's finances and compare them to the industry norm using the sources listed in the Industry Comparison box below.
- Nexis Uni This link opens in a new windowUse the Company Dossier to find the company financials. Click on Menu near the top of the page and select Company Dossier. See the Financial Overview in the left column of dossier.
- Standard and Poor's Net Advantage This link opens in a new windowContains stock reports which also include company financials. To find stock reports click on the Research button and enter your company name or ticker symbol in the Symbol / Name box and press Search. The stock report will have the company's name in the headline field on the results list.
- EDGARThe 10-K report may be of the most interest to you. In addition to financial information, there may be information about the companies business strategy here. Start to enter the ticker symbol in the Company and Person Lookup box and select your company from the auto suggestion results and then click on SEARCH. See the 10-K report under Selected Filings.
Industry Comparison
Using the financial information you have found, compare it to the industry norm. To make the comparison look up your company's SIC code or the NAICS code in the books below.
- Industry Norms and Key Business RatiosLocated in the General Collection. HF5681 .R25 S44 (Use your company's SIC code)
- Annual Statement StudiesLocated in the General Collection. HF5681 .B2 R6 (Use your company's NAICS code)
Company Rankings
How a company ranks can be a strength or weakness. The following sources provided rankings:
- D & B Business RankingsLocated in the General Collection. Ref HG4057 .A237
- Business Rankings AnnualLocated in the General Collection Ref HG4050 .B88