Research Guides: Starting a Business: Opportunities

Trends & Opportunities

Passport This link opens in a new window
Find consumer-focused market research reports and statistics.
View the Market Research tutorial for more insights.
Simmons Catalyst This link opens in a new window
Access consumer demographics, psychographics, brand affiliations and media consumption trends. Target market segments down to the regional level.
View the Simmons Catalyst Training Research Guide for more insights. Simultaneous users permitted: 35
SimplyAnalytics This link opens in a new window
Use this mapping and data visualization database to analyze markets geographically with Simmons and Claritas PRIZM data.
To create an account, click on "create an account" and enter your SMU e-mail address and a password. Also, only 5 users can use this resource concurrently. Please log out when done using this resource.
NetAdvantage This link opens in a new window
Obtain data about specific comparable/competitor companies or their industry by using the screening tool.
If NetAdvantage asks for a log in, please clear your history, cache and cookies, or use a different browser to access the database.
Gartner This link opens in a new window
Find technology-focused analysis, insights, trends, best-practices and forecasts for consumer, industry and other business issues.
Forrester Research This link opens in a new window
Use this survey research data to learn about a wide variety of consumer and business topics.
Gale Business: Insights This link opens in a new window
Search a product, company, or industry. Within a selected industry choose rankings, market share, and market research reports.

Opportunity Evaluation Worksheet

Opportunity Evaluation Worksheet
This worksheet provides guidance in finding useful information for your business plan such as industry trends, market research, and demographics.

Search Tips

Search local, regional, state or national level business resources for economic data and trends. Examples: Chamber of Commerce, economic development entities, or visitor and convention bureaus may have specific local knowledge to leverage.

Local publications, such as the Business Journals or news media that cover local area news, are useful.

The Duda Family Business Library subscribes to print copies of D Magazine and D CEO plus all four Business Journals for Austin, Dallas. Houston and San Antonio.