Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College Ann Cullen, Knowledge and Library Services, February 2009 Using Online Research for Analyzing Opportunities

ZenG Business Plan – Resources Located

First consider general trends Where would you go to find information on key trends and disruptors that signal opportunities or threats? Resources that I used for this: Article Databases Factiva ABI/Proquest Factiva - Search strategy used - wc>500 and hlp=((landfill gas*) or (commercial grade waste gasification) or (lfg power)) ABI/Proquest - Search strategy used - (landfill gas*) OR lfg OR (waste gasification) *Article Searching Tips

What I learned while searching Common term for this technology is Landfill Gas (LFG) Needed to include a review of waste management industry

Analyze the relevant industries  S&P NetAdvantage Industry Survey - "Environmental and S&P NetAdvantage Waste Management" October 2008  S&P Netadvantage Industry Survey - "Electric Utilities" August 2008 S&P Netadvantage  Thomson Investext - "How to Play Obama's Green Theme" Thomson Investext 1/16/09, Ben Isaacson, Scotia Capital

Locate Market Research MarketResearch.com - "Renewable Energy Investment in the U.S."MarketResearch.com Packaged Facts, 11/1/2007 Tablebase – “Green price stability: new approaches account forTablebase the economic benefits of renewables” Source: Public Utilities Fortnightly, 147 (1): 42, January 2009.

Then lots of additional great data for free on web Government sponsored websites Non-profit initiatives Grass-roots community efforts Industry Association sponsored

Examples of interesting ones found Landfills/Waste Management: International Landfill Inventory and Economic Data – How Landfills work - Landfill Gasification: Landfill Methane Outreach Program Landfill Gas Web Site - Cleantech/Renewables: Energy Information Administration - Renewable and Alternative Fuels Data -

Examples of interesting ones found (cont.) Regulatory: National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) - FERC Energy Innovations Group – Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) – – State by state review of renewable energy legislation and programs in the US More resources listed on class hand-out.

AEC Systems Business Plan – Resources Located

First consider general trends Where would you go to find information on key trends and disruptors that signal opportunities or threats? Resource that I used: Article Database Business Source Complete ABI/Proquest Search strategy used – “construction industry" and software

What I learned while searching AEC not a commonly used acronym, found searching on terms “construction or building industry” was best way to target relevant industry overview Terms "Tablet PC" more commonly used than "Tablet-based PC"

Analyze the relevant industries  Business Source Complete - "Construction & Engineering Industry Business Source Complete Profile: United States”, Jul 2008, Datamonitor  S&P NetAdvantage Industry Survey - "Computers: Software", S&P NetAdvantage Oct. 2008, Zaineb Bokhari S&P NetAdvantage Industry Survey – “Homebuilding”, Jan. 2009,S&P NetAdvantage Kenneth Leon First Research - "Commercial Construction Contractors"First Resea

Locate Market Research Tablet PC: Forrester – “Key Wireless Trends That Will Shape EnterpriseForrester Mobility In 2008” February 8, 2008, by Chris Silva, Benjamin Gray with Simon Yates, Rachel A. Dines Frost & Sullivan – “World Quarterly Retail Systems Outlook onFrost & Sullivan POS; Handheld Terminals and Tablet PC Markets” - Q4 2007, 11 Jun 2008 Non-residential Construction: Onesource - "Nonresidential Building Construction" Freedonia,Onesource June 2008

Didn’t find as much data for free on web Different sort of industry Not directly connected to a public agenda

Examples of data found U.S. Housing/Building Statistics: 2009 US Statistical Abstract - Construction and Housing – Trade Association Websites: American Institute of Architects - American Council of Engineering Companies - Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. - Associated General Contractors of America - More resources listed on class hand-out.

Reminder – Copyright and Licensing Copyright Restrictions: Harvard Business School may terminate the network access of users who are found to have repeatedly infringed the copyright of others. Licensing restrictions: Electronic resources listed on the Baker Library site are restricted by license agreement to members of the Harvard community and to on-site users of Harvard's libraries for the purposes of research, teaching, and private study. Commercial use, and systematic downloading, copying, or distributing of information are expressly prohibited. Users are individually responsible for compliance with these terms. The entire policy can be found at:

Still need help? Lunchtime Help Session next Thurs. Feb. 12th! One-on-one Assistance: Reference librarian hours (Ask for reference librarian at the front desk) MON-THURS: 9am-7pm ; FRI: 9am – 6pm; SAT: 12 pm – 4 pm Standard Baker Library Reading Room Hours*: MON-THURS: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; FRI: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. SAT: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.; SUN: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Phone: *Please Note: Reading Room hours vary during the summer and holidays, see “Baker Hours” at:

Thank You! (Any questions?) Ann Cullen –