Oh, it’s snowy, grey February. And we’ve got six more weeks of winter. Sigh.

Now is the time to make yourself a cup of tea. Now is the time to listen to some Morrissey. And, perhaps, now is the time to read IBISWorld’s Recession Updates.

The always impressive industry analysts at IBISWorld have created “Recession Updates” for all its 700 industry guides. The updates are short, and to-the-point, less than a page in length. For anyone researching particular industries, these short-term snapshots will be very useful. Each industry is given a rating as to the impact the recession will have on it. Ratings range from NOT AFFECTED (in the case of chocolate manufacturing and flour milling, for examples) to DISASTER (in the case of commercial banking and bowling alleys).

If you are feeling particularly melancholy, you may also want to check out IBISWorld’s macroeconomic briefing paper about the US recession. Economic Crisis: When Will It End? was written by IBISWorld’s chief economists along with its industry analysts. It’s a terrific 14-page overview on the effects of this recession on US industries.

You can find IBISWorld by searching for this database in the blue search book at www.library.drexel.edu.

* Originally published on Febrary 6, 2009. For business research tips & tricks in real-time, subscribe to LIB-BIZ-KIT .

The LIB-BIZ-KIT “WHAT’S HOT FOR SUMMER 2008” LIST!!!!

10. Miniature horses
9. Potted ferns
8. Seersucker suits (for the ladies and the gents)
7. Spinach
6. The Apu Trilogy
5. Peppermint Bon Bon ice cream
4. Tammy Wynette/George Jones duets
3. Gin gimlets
2. The Sunday Jumble
1. The Economist Historical Backfile

That is correct, LIB-BIZ-KIT-TEERS. The number one hottest item for Summer 2008 is the Drexel University Library’s new subscription to The Economist Historical Backfile!

The Economist Historical Backfile contains every issue, page, word, and image published in The Economist from 1843-2003. It’s the obvious go-to database for articles from The Economist. But it’s useful for so much more.

It can also be used to find high-definition pdfs of advertisements. I found some by doing a search like this: advertisement and general electric.

Many tables can be exported into Excel. See a chart that looks helpful to your class project? You’ll see a purple box on the right of your search results that will let you know if that particular table can be exported.

Finally, The Economist Historical Archive is Hot Hot Hot for Summer 2008 because of its awesome search feature, which manages to be both simple and powerful.

You can do a quick keyword search: Economic Monetary Union

Or you can do a fairly complicated search:
Michael Jordan and (promotion* or advertis*)

How to find The Economist Historical Archive:
1. Go to www.library.drexel.edu
2. Click on: Databases/Articles (in the green box)
3. Click on Business & Economics or browse by title

* Originally published on Friday, May 9, 2008. For business research tips & tricks in real-time, subscribe to LIB-BIZ-KIT .

What is a Global Road Warrior?

In my mind, a Global Road Warrior must look something like its cousin the American Gladiator, complete with nutty name, superhuman muscles, and, naturally, a sparkly spandex unitard.

Global Road Warrior is also the name of a new electronic resource here at the Drexel University Libraries. It’s hard to get past the name, but if you do, you’ll find some excellent and interesting information.

Created by the analysts and researchers at World Trade Press, Global Road Warrior contains detailed international trade and business travel information for 175 countries. It works well as a companion to CountryWatch. Global Road Warrior has a little more hands-on information, but it’s a little lighter on the economic indicators. For each country, Global Road Warrior provides detailed information on topics including business and societal culture, security briefings, information specifically for businesswomen, and essential terms. It’s an easy-to-use, must-see resource for international business and travel.

To find Global Road Warrior
Go to: www.library.drexel.edu
Click on Databases/Articles
Use the Databases by Title listing

* Originally published on April 4, 2008 For business research tips & tricks in real-time, subscribe to LIB-BIZ-KIT .