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The Directory of Business Information Resources

New print reference resource: The Directory of Business Information Resources 2008!

This directory is available in the Reference Room at call number HF54.52 .U5 D567 2008.

The fifteenth edition of The Directory of Business Information Resources is a premier reference book for business researchers covering 98 industries, from Accounting and Advertising to Water Supply and Wholesale Services. Each chapter includes a wide variety of valuable industry-specific resources, including Associations, Magazines, Journals, Newsletters, Trade Shows, Directories, Databases and Web Sites.

This edition includes 21,800 listings, including hundreds of brand new listings and thousands of updates. It's the most comprehensive guide to business information on the market today. A quick look at the Table of Contents shows this 2008 edition covers all the largest industries, including Healthcare, Drugs & Pharmaceutical, Computers & Data Processing, Banking, Financial Services, Credit & Lending Services, Internet, Broadcasting, Communications & Media, Environment & Conservation, Safety & Security, Management, Marketing, Hotels & Motels, Performing Arts, Restaurants, Sports & Recreation, Direct Marketing, Insurance, Libraries, Retailing and Travel.

Everyday Finance

New print reference resource: Everyday Finance: Economics, Personal Money Management, and Entrepreneurship!

The 2-volume work is available in the Reference Room at call number HB171 .E93 2008.

The purpose of this book is to introduce the field of economics, as well as its related topics personal money management and entrepreneurship, in a simple, meaningful way. It shows that economics, personal money management, and entrepreneurship are related to our ordinary everyday lives. The word finance, which has several meanings, is used to describe anything related to money and the economy. Everyday Finance was motivated by the growing awareness in the United States that economic literacy is essential for functioning in the modern world.

To explain the world of money, Everyday Finance features 300 articles, organized by subject into three major sections. The first, How the Economy Works, contains essays within several broad areas: macroeconomics, describing the economy as a whole; microeconomics, focusing on individual parts or forces in the economy; international trade, or buying and selling between countries; and the government's role in the economy. Some essays relate to more than one area and were placed where they would be most useful to a person not familiar with economics.

After the first section introduces the basic ideas of economics, the second and third sections explain how people are personally involved in the economy, either as consumers or business owners. The second section, Personal Money Management, is broken down into four typical consumer roles: buying, borrowing, saving, and insuring. The third section, Entrepreneurship, discusses running a business, attracting customers, managing money, working with employees, and business ethics and the law.

Everyday Finance also includes biographies on seven influential economists throughout history. The book has over 220 images, as well as nearly 50 tables, charts, and graphs; a glossary of financial terms; a further reading section; and a subject index, listing all the topics featured in the book.

Reading About the Economy

Everyday I read articles about the economy and find that the news is becoming more and more depressing. While I believe that we will eventually cycle out of these problems, there is no way to predict how long it will take or how it will ultimately filter down to us, the average Americans. You can read about something happening today, but it may take quite awhile to actually affect your everyday life and finances.

While remaining optimistic and hoping for the best, it's probably still a very good idea and a very good time to reign in your spending. Remember, a penny saved is a penny earned. Usually the best place to start is by going over your bills in detail. You may be surprised at how many "extra" charges are added to your bill that you don't even know about. Call the companies and discuss the charges on your bill. They may even help you to save money on your bill (a maybe, but it does happen). Next, figure out what you can live without. There are probably some relatively painless cuts you can make. Do I need long distance service on my home phone if I have long distance on my cell phone? Isn't that paying double for the same service? Do I really need to pay for movie channels on my cable or satellite bill that I don't even have time to watch? I probably won't even notice once they're gone.

At BankRate.com I always find articles that are in list form. For some reason they always capture my attention, probably because it's like an outline and I can skim through and pick out what's interesting to me. Here are some interesting articles that may provide you with some insight into saving money:

4 Ways to Cut Your Phone Bill

5 Big Bills You Can Cut Fast

15 Ways to Save Money on Gas

6 Steps to Better, Cheaper Car Insurance

Slideshow of the Top 100 Brands

2008 BusinessWeek/Interbrand Best Global Brands Ranking

View a slideshow of the top 100 brands, including their 2008 brand value.

"When ranking the value of the Best Global Brands, Interbrand evaluates brand value in the same way any other corporate asset is valued -- on the basis of how much it is likely to earn for the company in the future. Interbrand uses a combination of analysts’ projections, company financial documents, and its own qualitative and quantitative analysis to arrive at a net present value of those earnings. The brand values are based on data collected during the 12 months prior to June 30, 2008. This means that more recent developments, including the troubles at Merrill Lynch and AIG, are not factored into the brand valuations."

Faculty Business Databases Workshop

On Friday, September 5th from 1:00 to 2:00 I will be holding an Introduction to Business Databases workshop in the Instruction Room on the 4th floor of the library.

It is more important than ever for graduates from the School of Business to be able to find information on stocks, company histories, and industry trends. In this workshop, I will guide you through databases such as Business Source Complete, Mergent Online, Reference USA, Standard & Poor's NetAdvantage, and Value Line Research Center, showing you how to search these valuable databases for the information you and your students need.

Contact Christine Adams at X3680 or email cmadams02@ysu.edu.

Hope to see you there!

OneSource Global Business Browser

We now have access to OneSource Global Business Browser through the Reference USA database. Find in-depth company profiles on 3 million international companies, including key executives and detailed financial information. Find industry profiles and search global media sources.

After entering Reference USA, click on International Businesses Search. OneSource Global Business Browser will open in a separate window. From there, use the search boxes to find Companies, Executives, News & Articles, or Industries.

If you are off campus (and are a current YSU student, faculty, or staff), use this Off Campus Link.

This is an excellent and up-to-date source for global information!