|
Business company profiles are a valuable source of business
intelligence on competitors, prospects, customers and potential suppliers. They
are used by professionals that require business information to meet objectives
such as:
- Preparing
for meetings and sales calls
- Evaluating
new business opportunities
- Planning
marketing campaigns
- Preparing
sales and financial forecasts
Sources of Company Profiles
Some basic information is freely available on the Internet,
but the highest quality information with the most editorial verification is
available through business information service providers, such as OneSource.
Company profiles summarize a company’s history, executives,
financials and other information. They are often offered by business
information services as part of extensive information databases, business
browser solutions or single company research reports. Users usually purchase a
subscription to access them.
Company Profile Components
A company profile provides the information business
professionals need to get a full picture of a prospect, competitor, customer,
or acquisition opportunity. Common components include:
Company information that shows how a company is
organized: This often identifies business type, and provides a list of
office locations and subsidiaries, along with contact information including
URLs, and the parent and corporate family name.
Snapshot of top-line data to give a sense for
company size, longevity and viability: Number of employees, credit
rating, annual sales and year of incorporation are data that fall into this
category.
Business description showing how the company
positions itself: This briefly summarizes a company’s focus, history,
competitive position and corporate structure.
Listings of senior staff to support marketing
campaigns and meeting preparation: The most detailed company profiles also
include top executive profiles.
Financial health data: Credit ratings,
recommended credit limits and annual sales data is often provided.
Market position data that shows how the company
competes: Common information includes major brands and trade names, lines
of business, neighboring businesses, key competitors, markets served, and SIC
and NAICS codes.
Announcements and news coverage: A comprehensive
company profile summarizes headlines publicizing key events and provides full
text of select news coverage and press releases.
Business Reports
Premier business information providers like OneSource,
complement their company profiles with in-depth business reports on specific
areas of interest. OneSource supplements its executive listings with
biographies, educational background and professional affiliations.
Other OneSource reports include IT profiles and company
research with expert analytical coverage on a company’s market size, top
players and financial forecasts. Real-time news alerts help business users
track events affecting top clients, prospects and competitors.
|