A lot of time and money can be saved by contacting the association dedicated to the subject or product you are investigating. Use available resources to help get answers. The people who work for you and with you are often great resources for marketplace knowledge. Vendors, employees with experience at competitors' companies, consultants, government workers, and even your customers are all great places to begin, refine or focus your investigation. Never be afraid to call the biggest, baddest person to get the answer you need, said Musher.
People love to talk business.
Don't hesitate to ask them questions. If you don't know what the research in front of you means, ask. Howard recommends reference librarians, especially those at local colleges and universities, for research needs. It may sound simple, but if you don't ask, most likely no one will tell you. While these five points may help emerging businesses efficiently get the information they need, there are always other factors the small business owner needs to leverage in important business dealings.