Industry Information and Associations

Industry Information and Associations

Industry information is essential for any entrepreneur to gather prior to start-up. This is the information that will help you determine if your business idea is in fact, a viable and profitable one. That’s also why making use of your industry association is important in the business planning process; it’s an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the industry at large. GoForth has prepared a guide to connect you to your industry association so that you can access the wealth of information that is available to you.

Step 1:  Go to the Industry Canada website at www.ic.gc.ca, and select your language preference.

Step 2:  From the navigation bar on the home page, select All Topics, and then Industries and Businesses from the drop down menu.

Step 3:  Scroll all the way to the bottom of the Industries and Businesses page.  Click on the Forms and E-Services tab at the bottom and select Company Search (CCC).

Step 4:  That will take you to the Canadian Company Capabilities page.  Scroll down and click on the Browse by specialized directories tab which will bring up a sub-menu.

Step 5:  Look for Associations in the list.  Select All Business and Trade Associations/Organizations, which will take you to the Directory of Business and Trade Organizations in Canada.

Step 6:  Select Organizations by Sector.

Select your industrial sector from the alphabetical chart displayed.  If you’re not sure how your industry is categorized, take a good guess and it will likely tell you where you can find the information you’re looking for. 

Step 7:  Once you’ve selected your industry, a list of industry associations will be shown for that sector. The information available will vary depending on the industry.  In some cases, an overseeing industry organization or association is made available to you in the menu.  In other cases, you need to spend some time exploring the contacts affiliated and related sites or links provided, to find the industry association you need.

Step 8:  If you have yet to find an association, use the search box and type in the association you’re looking for.  For example, a restaurant owner might search for “Canadian Restaurant Association,” which yields “CRFA – Canadian Restaurant and Food Services Association.”

Step 9:  Still looking for your industry’s association?  Try Google.  Try the most obvious name for your industry’s association and be prepared to click through a few links.

Step 10:  Once you’ve found your industry association, explore the resources available to you via the Association. Associations will provide information on:

• Legislation, regulations, licensing, etc.
• Certificates, designations, other coursework available for industry professionals
• Industry research
  • Economic Impact
  • Revenue
  • Employment
  • Profit Margin
  • Provincial Comparisons
  • Consumer Spending
  • Statistics
• Career opportunities
• News and Events
• FAQ’s
• Support
• And the list goes on…

Step 11:  Phone, or visit the Association in person to get some hands on information.

Step 12:  If you’re still having trouble finding contact information for a relevant industry association, visit your local library and flip through the Canadian Industry Association Handbook.  You won’t be able to take it out of your library but you can take away all the info you need from the book!

Not easy to find, is it? industry research is one of the more challenging activities you’ll undertake to complete a business plan. But who said running a small business was going to be easy!  That’s why we offer Canada’s leading online small business training. Make the investment in your future today – get started now. 

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