so you don’t waste yours and their time. If you use this approach, make sure that you’re also prepared to be the ‘go to’ person for others, or your one-way approach will soon exhaust their goodwill. Here’s a sidenote, be wary of going on conferences just to network (unless you’re in Business Development or looking or sales leads). Conference junkies will eventually struggle to justify continued absences with their boss. Make sure it’s relevant to what you do or what you want to do and regard any contacts you make as a bonus.

5) Haven’t We Done This Before? Before you launch into a huge search for what you need, take a step back. Have you done this, or something similar before? Did you come across relevant sources in the past that may serve you well this time around (and

When faced with the challenge of trying to find out information on companies, industries and sectors with no starting point (and often through stealth), there can be a tendency to believe that this ‘new’ knowledge does not come free. Yes, sometimes the answer is to buy a pre-written report, or pay to subscribe to certain data sources; however, these rarely give you the full picture and can you justify spending what can be big money on a report that you can’t ‘try before you buy’? I find it satisfying to get this information free and often employ some of the methods outlined below, which unearth some gems that no report will give you.

1) Search Smart There is a wealth of knowledge to be found on the internet, but sometimes searches need a nudge in the right direction. If you’re looking for something on 'healthcare logistics', try to get the good stuff by adding “pdf” or “ppt” to the search string; there are tons of articles and conference slides on the web that you can save and learn from; it’s very rare you’re the first person looking for what you want. Also, don’t rely on Google; try the same search on different engines – you may be surprised. Finally, to make sure you point your searches in the right direction, make sure you use the right start point. For example, use Google Argentina as your start point for searching for information on South American markets. You can unearth other hidden wonders by translating your search string into the relevant language.

2) Company Websites Look under the ‘Investors’ sections on company websites; besides the annual reports there are often industry presentations, conference slides and case studies that may give you the facts and figures or background you need. If it’s not there, contact the company and ask for any updated information they can provide on their market share, or whatever you need.

3) Freebie Reports Okay, I started off by saying that the expensive reports don’t always provide the answer or give value for money. But wait on! They often give you the executive summary and example data tables – you may come across what you want, or it may make you realise that this could be one report worth buying! Other freebies come in the form of industry websites. After running conferences and forums, these bodies often put the presentation material on their website available for free download. You may have to register with the website, but this is normally free. This saves you taking valuable time away from work and lets you pick and choose what you want to download, rather than having to sit through the boring stuff had you attended the conference.

4) Networking Give some of your peers a call; for example, university friends, people you met on courses and conferences, webmasters and blog writers. If you find someone with a website or blog that you think may have your answers, drop them an e-mail. If you don’t ask you don’t get. When you go on conferences and courses, get contact details from people you met, whether that be a business card or a scrap of paper; just make sure you remember what they do so you don’t waste yours and their time. If you use this approach, make sure that you’re also prepared to be the ‘go to’ person for others, or your one-way approach will soon exhaust their goodwill. Here’s a sidenote, be wary of going on conferences just to network (unless you’re in Business Development or looking or sales leads). Conference junkies will eventually struggle to justify continued absences with their boss. Make sure it’s relevant to what you do or what you want to do and regard any contacts you make as a bonus.

5) Haven’t We Done This Before? Before you launch into a huge search for what you need, take a step back. Have you done this, or something similar before? Did you come across relevant sources in the past that may serve you well this time around (and

ight direction. If you’re looking for something on 'healthcare logistics', try to get the good stuff by adding “pdf” or “ppt” to the search string; there are tons of articles and conference slides on the web that you can save and learn from; it’s very rare you’re the first person looking for what you want. Also, don’t rely on Google; try the same search on different engines – you may be surprised. Finally, to make sure you point your searches in the right direction, make sure you use the right start point. For example, use Google Argentina as your start point for searching for information on South American markets. You can unearth other hidden wonders by translating your search string into the relevant language.

2) Company Websites Look under the ‘Investors’ sections on company websites; besides the annual reports there are often industry presentations, conference slides and case studies that may give you the facts and figures or background you need. If it’s not there, contact the company and ask for any updated information they can provide on their market share, or whatever you need.

3) Freebie Reports Okay, I started off by saying that the expensive reports don’t always provide the answer or give value for money. But wait on! They often give you the executive summary and example data tables – you may come across what you want, or it may make you realise that this could be one report worth buying! Other freebies come in the form of industry websites. After running conferences and forums, these bodies often put the presentation material on their website available for free download. You may have to register with the website, but this is normally free. This saves you taking valuable time away from work and lets you pick and choose what you want to download, rather than having to sit through the boring stuff had you attended the conference.

4) Networking Give some of your peers a call; for example, university friends, people you met on courses and conferences, webmasters and blog writers. If you find someone with a website or blog that you think may have your answers, drop them an e-mail. If you don’t ask you don’t get. When you go on conferences and courses, get contact details from people you met, whether that be a business card or a scrap of paper; just make sure you remember what they do so you don’t waste yours and their time. If you use this approach, make sure that you’re also prepared to be the ‘go to’ person for others, or your one-way approach will soon exhaust their goodwill. Here’s a sidenote, be wary of going on conferences just to network (unless you’re in Business Development or looking or sales leads). Conference junkies will eventually struggle to justify continued absences with their boss. Make sure it’s relevant to what you do or what you want to do and regard any contacts you make as a bonus.

5) Haven’t We Done This Before? Before you launch into a huge search for what you need, take a step back. Have you done this, or something similar before? Did you come across relevant sources in the past that may serve you well this time around (and

company websites; besides the annual reports there are often industry presentations, conference slides and case studies that may give you the facts and figures or background you need. If it’s not there, contact the company and ask for any updated information they can provide on their market share, or whatever you need.

3) Freebie Reports Okay, I started off by saying that the expensive reports don’t always provide the answer or give value for money. But wait on! They often give you the executive summary and example data tables – you may come across what you want, or it may make you realise that this could be one report worth buying! Other freebies come in the form of industry websites. After running conferences and forums, these bodies often put the presentation material on their website available for free download. You may have to register with the website, but this is normally free. This saves you taking valuable time away from work and lets you pick and choose what you want to download, rather than having to sit through the boring stuff had you attended the conference.

4) Networking Give some of your peers a call; for example, university friends, people you met on courses and conferences, webmasters and blog writers. If you find someone with a website or blog that you think may have your answers, drop them an e-mail. If you don’t ask you don’t get. When you go on conferences and courses, get contact details from people you met, whether that be a business card or a scrap of paper; just make sure you remember what they do so you don’t waste yours and their time. If you use this approach, make sure that you’re also prepared to be the ‘go to’ person for others, or your one-way approach will soon exhaust their goodwill. Here’s a sidenote, be wary of going on conferences just to network (unless you’re in Business Development or looking or sales leads). Conference junkies will eventually struggle to justify continued absences with their boss. Make sure it’s relevant to what you do or what you want to do and regard any contacts you make as a bonus.

5) Haven’t We Done This Before? Before you launch into a huge search for what you need, take a step back. Have you done this, or something similar before? Did you come across relevant sources in the past that may serve you well this time around (and

tion material on their website available for free download. You may have to register with the website, but this is normally free. This saves you taking valuable time away from work and lets you pick and choose what you want to download, rather than having to sit through the boring stuff had you attended the conference.

4) Networking Give some of your peers a call; for example, university friends, people you met on courses and conferences, webmasters and blog writers. If you find someone with a website or blog that you think may have your answers, drop them an e-mail. If you don’t ask you don’t get. When you go on conferences and courses, get contact details from people you met, whether that be a business card or a scrap of paper; just make sure you remember what they do so you don’t waste yours and their time. If you use this approach, make sure that you’re also prepared to be the ‘go to’ person for others, or your one-way approach will soon exhaust their goodwill. Here’s a sidenote, be wary of going on conferences just to network (unless you’re in Business Development or looking or sales leads). Conference junkies will eventually struggle to justify continued absences with their boss. Make sure it’s relevant to what you do or what you want to do and regard any contacts you make as a bonus.

5) Haven’t We Done This Before? Before you launch into a huge search for what you need, take a step back. Have you done this, or something similar before? Did you come across relevant sources in the past that may serve you well this time around (and

so you don’t waste yours and their time. If you use this approach, make sure that you’re also prepared to be the ‘go to’ person for others, or your one-way approach will soon exhaust their goodwill. Here’s a sidenote, be wary of going on conferences just to network (unless you’re in Business Development or looking or sales leads). Conference junkies will eventually struggle to justify continued absences with their boss. Make sure it’s relevant to what you do or what you want to do and regard any contacts you make as a bonus.

5) Haven’t We Done This Before? Before you launch into a huge search for what you need, take a step back. Have you done this, or something similar before? Did you come across relevant sources in the past that may serve you well this time around (and hopefully you’ve remembered what and where these are)? Have any of your colleagues worked in the industry your researching? Have you searched your company’s intranet, shared drives and knowledge management sources?

6) File Sharing Networks I’m not going to argue for or against the ethics of file sharing networks (such as Limewire and Kazaa), however they’re not just a source for mp3’s and mpeg’s, Try and search for files, such as Microsoft Word or PDF’s; you’ll come across some unique research through GCSE students and Masters’ dissertations to company files you won’t find on their website. If you don’t want to share it – don’t download the software, or learn how to use it!

7) Cheap Information Sources Specialist industry reports can run into several thousands of pounds. For a fraction of the price you can come across useful data through websites that sell essays and dissertations from ‘A’ Level and degree students.

8) Look Outside Your Laptop Trying to work out how many ‘things’ fit on a pallet, or what something ways so that you can work out how much storage or vehicles movements may be required? Go and take a screen break and get yourself down to the local supermarket or wholesaler. If the information still eludes you, time your visit for the evening when the supermarkets start to set-up their replenishment stock on the shop floor. Failing that, ask someone what you need to know – even if you tell them it’s research for your kid’s school project. If you can’t se what you want on a screen or get the information on the ‘phone, go to where it exists and see for yourself.

9) Go To The Sharp End Despite the wealth of free resources outlined above, you can often end up at the wrong organisational level. If you need to find out the address of production sites or distribution centres, or if you want to know where real opportunities may lie – go to the people a he frontline. There are specialist forums for truck drivers, for example, where you can find out what really happens, which companies pay what etcetera. You should normally find equivalent sites or blogs for people who see the problems and opportunities on a day to day basis.

10) Get Set For Next Time I’m a huge advocate of organised filing as I always find that I can quickly get my hinds on archived data, even when I haven’t looked at it for years. Getting into an organised filing mindset can take some time, but it pays off when you can quickly help yourself and colleagues with a quick response. Becoming a source of knowledge for your colleagues gives you an aura of organisation, knowledge and co-operation, which can only help you and them.