Accounting, Finance, InvestmentsCompaniesIndustriesMarketingStarting or Operating a BusinessCountries and Doing Business Internationally

Suggested Sources: Operations

ABA consumer guide to employee rights: Understanding and asserting your rights on the job
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF3455.F744
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Covers the basic rights and obligations of employees in the workplace and explains "employment at will" and "right to work" laws.
American Association of Franchisees and Dealers web site
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.aafd.org/
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Provides information and advice about selecting and buying a franchise.
American Franchisee Association web site
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.franchisee.org/
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Provides information and advice designed to protect people's investment in their franchises.
Annual statement studies
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HF5681.B2 R6
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Contains composite financial data and ratios for over 732 industries including manufacturing, wholesale, retail, service, agriculture, forestry, fishing, contracting, mining, construction, transportation, information, education, real estate, and health care. Arranged by NAICS code.
Basic legal forms with commentary
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF170.H92
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Contains sample language for hundreds of legal forms, documents and contracts in the areas of sales, business organization (corporations, partnerships, etc.), business operations, real estate, employment, credit instruments, computer software, wills and trusts, marital and family arrangements, charitable gifts, alternative dispute resolution and more.
Bplans.com
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://Bplans.com
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Online collection of 500 free sample business plans plus free planning templates.
Business: the ultimate resource
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HD38.15 .B878
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: A large resource with "best practice" chapters and action lists covering all aspects of business including people/culture, marketing, strategy/competition, finance, IT, structure, leadership, productivity, and more.
Census of agriculture
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Taken every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county. Most recent data are from the 2017 census.
Search Tips: Click "Data & Statistics" > "Access Quick Stats" to search by commodity, location, and year of interest.
Checkpoint
Where to Find It: On the UVM Libraries Web Site
URL: https://researchguides.uvm.edu/checkpoint
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: Provides full-text information on U.S. taxation at the federal, state, and local levels. It includes the full text of Federal Tax Coordinator 2nd edition, United States Tax Reporter, Citator 2nd edition, Journal of Taxation, and other resources.
Consumer's guide to buying a franchise
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/consumers-guide-buying-franchise
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Prepared by The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, this booklet explains how to shop for a franchise opportunity, the obligations of a franchise owner, and questions to ask before investing.
Design patent application guide
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: https://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/patent-basics/types-patent-applications/design-patent-application-guide
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, this online booklet includes guidance on how to file a design patent application and includes applicable laws and regulations.
Dictionary of business and management (online)
Where to Find It: In the UVM Libraries Catalog
URL: https://primo.uvm.edu/permalink/01UOV_INST/1mqtb7p/alma9915755973808266
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: Contains over 7,000 entries relating to all aspects of management and business including marketing, organizational behavior, strategy, law, and taxation.
Dictionary of human resource management
Where to Find It: On the UVM Libraries Web Site
URL: https://primo.uvm.edu/permalink/01UOV_INST/2tcgtl/alma9915755983808266
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: Succinct, expert definitions of more than 2,000 terms covering all aspects of human resources and employment relations, including recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, rewards, industrial relations, and the design of work and organizations.
Doing business in Burlington: The definitive guide to starting and growing your business in Vermont's queen city
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Desk (1st Floor)
Call Number: HF5068 .B9 B875
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Provides information about startup resources, developing a business plan, selecting a location, financing, registering a trade name, applying for tax accounts, and obtaining insurance and permits.
Employer's legal handbook: Manage your employees & workplace effectively
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF3455.S737
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: A comprehensive and easy-to-read guide to employment law issues including legal interviewing and hiring practices; wage and hour laws; employee benefits; employee taxes and deductions; leave; health and safety; privacy; illegal harassment and discrimination; independent contractors and unions; and more.
Encyclopedia of American industries
Where to Find It: On the UVM Libraries Web Site
URL: https://primo.uvm.edu/permalink/01UOV_INST/1mqtb7p/alma9954177773808266
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: Provides essays on the 1057 industries by 2017 NAICS codes. Volume 1 covers manufacturing industries, volume 2 provides essays on industries in agriculture, mining, construction, wholesale and retail trade, and volume 3 includes essays on finance, insurance, real estate, service, and public administration industries.
Encyclopedia of associations
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Desk (1st Floor)
Call Number: AS8 .E5
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: A directory of more than 25,000 national and international organizations.
Search Tips: Use the keyword index to identify associations related to your business; then try to find the association's Web site for industry information and statistics.
Encyclopedia of small business
Where to Find It: On the UVM Libraries Web Site
URL: https://primo.uvm.edu/permalink/01UOV_INST/1mqtb7p/alma9915087783808266
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: Includes detailed articles and overviews of topics of concern to small business owners, including financing, financial planning, business plan creation, market analysis, sales strategy, tax planning, and human resource issues.
Express search
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.vtsosonline.com/online/BusinessInquire/
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Use this database to determine what company names are in use in Vermont or to create lists of Vermont companies by criteria including type, current status, principal name, NAICS industry code, or zip code. Searches corporations, trade names, limited liability companies, partnerships, and name reservations and registrations in Vermont.
Franchise bible: How to buy a franchise or franchise your own business
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HF5429.235 .U5 G766
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Part I provides information about buying a franchise or small business, and Part II provides information for business owners who want to expand by franchising the business. Includes a glossary of franchise terminology.
Franchise opportunities
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: https://www.franchise.org/franchise-opportunities
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: A website of the International Franchise Association that allows you to identify opportunities by type of business (e.g., restaurants, cleaning and maintenance), location, and amount of investment.
Funding programs
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.sba.gov/funding-programs
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: A Web site of the Small Business Administration covering many aspects related to business financing including loans, investment capital, surety bonds, and grants.
Gale business insights (formerly Business insights: Essentials)
Where to Find It: On the UVM Libraries Web Site
URL: https://researchguides.uvm.edu/galebusinessinsights
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: A large database of information about countries, industries (domestic and foreign), and more than 430,000 companies (public, private, domestic, and international).
Search Tips: For company information: click "Companies" and search or browse by name. For industry information: click "Industries" and search or browse by NAICS code. For country information: click "Countries/Territories." To create a company list by type, industry, revenue, and/or location: click "Companies" and use the filters at the top of the screen.
Gale business: Entrepreneurship (formerly Small business resource center)
Where to Find It: On the UVM Libraries Web Site
URL: https://researchguides.uvm.edu/galebusinessentrepreneurship
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: Provides information about planning, funding, starting, and managing a small business.
Search Tips: To see a list of sample business plans, in the "PLAN" box, click "Business Plans," then click "Business Plans" again.
How to write a business plan
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HD30 .28 .M3839 2019
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Contains step-by-step instructions for identifying personal and business goals, choosing the right business, and writing and presenting a business plan.
Incorporate your business
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF1420.Z9 M36
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Provides information about choosing a legal structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, etc.) and describes the types of corporations and how they work. Also includes forms, information about corporate taxes, and outlines seven steps to incorporation.
Industry norms and key business ratios
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HF5681.R25 I525
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Includes composite financial data and ratios from establishments in over 800 industries. Arranged by SIC code. Print publication canceled after 2018 edition; access online version through the Mergent Archives database by clicking "D&B Manuals" > "Key Business Ratios."
Industry surveys (formerly Standard & Poor's industry surveys)
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HC106.6 .S74
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Profiles 49 industries in depth twice a year, including industry trends, operating environment, competitive environment, regulatory environment, mergers and acquisitions, key players, financial data, and ratios.
Search Tips: Check prior years' editions if your industry isn't covered in the current set. Industry surveys are currently arranged in alphabetical order; check the index at the front of Volume I for a list of surveys contained in each of the two volumes.
IQS directory
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: https://www.iqsdirectory.com/
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: A free listing of manufacturers and suppliers serving the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) marketplace. Includes companies providing products (e.g., sheet metal, gears, cardboard tubes, mixers) AND services (e.g., sewing contractors, calibration services). Provides company description, contact information, and a "request for quote" link.
Search Tips: Search by product/service, company name, or industry.
Key concepts in management
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HD30.15 .S95
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: A glossary with substantive entries on key concepts in management and leadership.
Legal forms for starting & running a small business
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF1659.A65 S74
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Includes more than 60 of the most important forms (with instructions) needed for establishing and running a small business, covering contracts, employment, trade secrets, corporate bylaws, partnership agreements, meeting minutes, real estate, leases, and more.
Legal guide for starting & running a small business
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF1659.S745
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Provides 21 chapters of legal information about organizing and naming a business, licenses, taxes, franchises, raising money, insurance, leases, employees, and more.
Manufacturing & distribution U.S.A.
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HD9724 .M364
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Provides information on industries in manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade, plus an analysis of the general state of manufacturing. Organized by NAICS codes, it includes data on establishments, employment, compensation, production, leading companies, inputs/outputs, materials consumed, and product share.
Mergent archives
Where to Find It: On the UVM Libraries Web Site
URL: https://researchguides.uvm.edu/mergentarchives
Format: Subscription database or e-book
Description: Provides 1) current and historical industry reports, 2) digitized, searchable corporate annual reports and/or SEC filings back to the mid 1800s, 3) corporate histories and financial statements as far back as the early 1900s from the digitized archives of corporate Mergent (formerly Moody's) Manuals, 4) information about municipal securities issued by each U.S. state, Puerto Rico, and Guam (from the digitized archives of Mergent Municipal Manual), and 5) historical volumes of D&B Industry Norms and key Business Ratios.
Search Tips: To browse or search for industry reports, click "D&B Manuals" (on left) and select "First Research." To see historical financial norms and ratios, click "D&B Manuals" and select "Key Business Ratios."
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.nass.usda.gov
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Provides statistics about U.S. agriculture from the agriculture census (every five years; latest data are from 2017) and hundreds of other surveys. Covers virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture such as production and supplies of food and fiber, prices paid and received by farmers, farm labor and wages, farm finances, chemicals used, and changes in the demographics of producers. Also provides access to data and reports on agricultural commodities (crops, animals, animal products).
National trade and professional associations of the United States
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: HD2425 .D53
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: This directory provides information about associations, including year founded, membership fees, contact information, operating budget, meeting information, and more.
Search Tips: Eight indexes allow you to identify associations by various aspects including subject, location, budget, association acronym, certification acronym, and meeting.
Nonprovisional (utility) patent application filing guide
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/types/utility.jsp
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, this guide provides basic information about filing a utility patent application.
Occupational outlook handbook
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.bls.gov/ooh
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Provides essays on hundreds of occupations. Each essay includes job outlook and employment data, which can be used to understand the size and expected growth in an industry.
Organizing corporate and other business enterprises
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF1355.R6
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Provides information about choosing a form of business, state taxes, limiting the risk of loss, reserving a company name, dealing with payroll and other human resource issues.
Patent basics
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, this booklet differentiates between patents, trademarks, and copyright, and then explains what can be patented, who may apply for a patent, how the application and approval process works, and what fees are required.
Patent it yourself
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF3114.6 .P36
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: A thorough guide to patents and other intellectual property, it covers what can be patented and how, whether or not an invention will sell, marketing an invention, and assignment and licensing of inventions.
Patent, copyright & trademark
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF2980.E44
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Provides an overview of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret law, hundreds of definitions of legal terms, and discussion of intellectual property trends and case law.
Protecting your trademark
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/BasicFacts.pdf
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, this booklet explains what a trademark is and the process for registering and maintaining a trademark.
Register a business in Vermont
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: https://sos.vermont.gov/corporations/registration
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Provides information about registering a business in Vermont, choosing an entity type, and filing forms.
SBDC Net
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: https://www.sbdcnet.org/
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: This national information clearinghouse of the U.S. Small Business Administration provides guides on various aspects of operating a small business or franchise, free market research reports for several dozen small business (e.g., bakery, bike shop), and links to industry associations and data sources.
Small Business Administration web site
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.sba.gov
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Provides practical help in four broad topic areas related to small business: planning, launching, managing, and growing.
Small business legal forms simplified
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF1659.A65 S43 2011
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: A large collection of legal forms (with explanatory material) covering contracts, leases, receipts, employment, real estate, releases, noncompetition, power of attorney and more
Stay legally compliant
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/stay-legally-compliant
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: Part of the "Manage Your Business" website hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, outlining the types of regulations with which small businesses must typically comply. Includes links to additional resources.
Thomas (formerly Thomas register of American manufacturers and Thomas register catalog file)
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.thomasnet.com
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: An online directory of American manufacturers and distributors and their products.
Search Tips: Search by product/service category, company name, brand name, or keyword.
Trademark: Legal care for your business & product name
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF3180. Z9 E43
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Provides information about how to select and defend business names, product names, logos, and slogans. Also includes instructions for registering a trademark or service mark with the federal government.
US master tax guide
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Desk (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF6272.5 .U54
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Explains tax rules, restrictions, and requirements for individuals and businesses.
Vermont business magazine--book of lists
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Desk (1st Floor)
Call Number: HA675 .V53
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: Information about business in Vermont, including lists of helpful resources, chambers of commerce, trade associations, regional planning commissions, development organizations, and firms that support businesses. Also ranks businesses.
Work (Vermont state web portal)
Where to Find It: On the World Wide Web
URL: http://www.vermont.gov/portal/business/
Format: Free World Wide Web site
Description: A well-organized set of links to resources and information about starting and operating a business in Vermont, including information about regulations, permits, licensing, and paying taxes.
Your rights in the workplace
Where to Find It: Howe Reference Stacks (1st Floor)
Call Number: KF3455.B37
Format: Printed material (book, report, etc.)
Description: This easy-to-read handbook covers various aspects of employee rights, including wages and hours, health insurance, family and medical leave, privacy, illegal discrimination, sexual harassment, workers compensation, retirement plans, labor unions, and more.