Market research - look before you leap...

One of the most important undertakings you should invest in before starting your business is Market Research (it is also a major part of your business plan). Today’s business environment is highly consumer-driven and if there is no market for your product, no matter how great you think it may be, you will never be able to sell it to enough consumers to earn a living.
Gathering information from direct research with methods such as...

Focus groups
Surveys
Test marketing

And indirect market research methods such as...

Secondary reports
Observation of competitors

...you need to be sure that you can create an offering that will allow you to stand a chance against the competition and will also have a large enough consumer base to be profitable. One of the main ways you find out if you have a viable business idea is to conduct thorough market research.

The Technical Innovation Center can help you research many different market industries.

We can provide:

Market Research and Trends
A market overview and an analysis of major trends that are creating rapid changes in the industry today.
Company Profiles
In-depth profiles of leading companies in this industry. Includes business descriptions, financials, growth plans and executive names.
Export Company Contacts
Includes company name, address, phone, web site and executives.
Export Associations/Organizations
Includes company name, address, phone, web site and description.
Statistics
The statistics section contains extensive data on many facets of the industry.
Associations/Organizations
Industry associations, government agencies and important industry phone numbers and web sites.

In these markets:

Advertising & Branding
Airlines, Hotel & Travel
Alternative & Renewable Energy
Apparel & Textiles
Automobile
Banking, Mortgages & Credit
Biotechnology
Chemicals, Coatings & Plastics
Computers & Software
Consulting
E-Commerce & Internet
Energy
Engineering & Research
Entertainment & Media

Food and Beverage
Health Care
Investment
Job Seekers/Careers*
Middle Market
Nanotechnology & MEMS
Outsourcing & Off shoring
Real Estate & Construction
Retail
Sports
Telecommunications
Transportation, Supply Chain & Logistics
Wireless, Cellular, Wi-Fi & RFID

*Includes Resources & Tools Center and Search for Employers
If you wish to inquire information on the market in which you are currently in, or are planning to be in...

Please make an appointment by contacting us or calling us at 301-790-2800 x 399.

B&D Consulting Enters Mentor-Protege Agreement
NETCONN Solutions is proud to announce that their Mentor-Protege Agreement with B&D Consulting, Inc. has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Hispanic Festival in Hagerstown
The Fourth Hagerstown Hispanic Festival will be held in Fairgrounds Park on Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm

New Location for TIC management
We're now located on the 3rd floor in TIC 321.

Small Business Development Center moved
The SBDC has moved from TIC 209 to TIC 322.

New Training Room
New larger training room available in TIC 323

Links
News Archive

Business-2-Government Contracting Workshops

The Western Maryland Small Business Development Center and the TIC have partnered to make available to the community two B2G contracting workshops presented by Maryland PTAP.

MIT Enterprise Forum Webcast
The TIC is a viewing site for the MIT Enterprise Forum webcast "From Lab to Market: Success is Not Final, Failure is Not Fatal."

The Innovator and Entrepreneur Group
meetings will not be held during the summer. They will resume in the fall.