Skip to Main Content

Business

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Keeping Current with Business Research

The business landscape is constantly shifting. New market trends emerge, consumer preferences evolve, regulations change, and groundbreaking research reshapes industries. As a business student, it's essential to develop the skills to keep your research current and ensure the information you rely on is accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.

Why Updating Research Matters

  • Avoiding outdated information: Markets, technologies, and business strategies are dynamic. Relying on outdated information can lead to flawed analyses, missed opportunities, and misguided decision-making.
  • Ensuring accuracy: Updating your research guarantees you're referencing the most recent data, trends, and analyses, accurately reflecting the current state of the business environment.
  • Building a strong argument: Incorporating the latest business insights and research findings into your work demonstrates thoroughness, credibility, and a commitment to staying informed.

Useful Resources

  • Alerts: Set up email alerts for specific topics, companies, or industries within major business databases like Statista, Mintel or ProQuest One Business to receive notifications when new information is published.
  • Social media: Follow industry leaders, business publications like the Financial Times, and relevant organisations like the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to stay informed about emerging trends and discussions.
  • Industry-Specific Websites: Many industries have organisations (e.g., British Retail Consortium, Tech Nation) that publish reports, news, and data specific to their sector.
  • Google Alerts: Create custom alerts for specific keywords or phrases related to your research interests (e.g., "sustainable tourism trends," "e-commerce regulations") to receive notifications when new content appears online.

By actively employing these resources and strategies, you'll stay ahead of the curve in the fast-paced world of business, ensuring your research and analyses are always based on the most current and relevant information available.

Google Alerts is a free tool that allows you to monitor the web for new content related to your chosen keywords. While primarily designed for news and general web content, it can also be a valuable resource for business students to stay informed about market trends, industry news, and competitor activity. Here's how you can use it effectively:

Setting Up Google Alerts for Business Research

  1. Go to Google Alerts: Visit the Google Alerts website.
  2. Enter Your Search Terms:
    • Company Names: Track news and updates about specific companies you're interested in (e.g., "Tesco," "Unilever").
    • Industry Keywords: Monitor broad industry terms and trends (e.g., "retail trends UK," "sustainable fashion").
    • Product Names or Categories: Stay informed about specific products or services (e.g., "electric vehicles UK," "plant-based food").
    • Economic Indicators: Track relevant economic indicators for a particular region or industry (e.g., "UK inflation rate," "consumer confidence index").
  3. Customise Your Alerts:
    • Sources: Choose the types of sources you want to monitor (e.g., news, blogs, discussions).
    • Region: Select the geographic region relevant to your research (e.g., United Kingdom).
    • Frequency: Determine how often you want to receive alerts (e.g., daily, weekly, as-it-happens).

Tips for Using Google Alerts in Business Research

  • Refine Your Search Terms: Experiment with different combinations of keywords and phrases to find the most relevant alerts.
  • Use Quotation Marks: Enclose phrases in quotation marks to search for exact matches (e.g., "customer experience trends").
  • Exclude Terms: Use the minus sign (-) to exclude irrelevant terms (e.g., "Apple -fruit").
  • Combine Search Terms: Use the "OR" operator to search for multiple terms (e.g., "marketing strategy OR digital marketing").
  • Be Selective: Don't overload your inbox. Start with a few essential alerts and add more as needed.
  • Verify Information: Always cross-reference information from Google Alerts with reliable business sources (e.g., company websites, industry reports, reputable news outlets) before using it in your research.

Benefits and Limitations

  • Benefits: Google Alerts can help you:
    • Stay on top of breaking business news.
    • Track industry trends and competitor activities.
    • Monitor public sentiment and brand reputation.
  • Limitations: Google Alerts may not capture all relevant business information, especially in-depth analyses or proprietary data. It's best used as a supplemental tool only.

The business world is in constant flux, with new trends, technologies, and regulations emerging rapidly. To make informed decisions and stay competitive, it's crucial to keep your finger on the pulse of the latest UK business research. Here are some effective strategies and resources to help you stay informed:

  • Business Databases:
    • FAME (Financial Analysis Made Easy): This comprehensive database provides detailed financial information on UK companies, industry reports, and market analysis. Set up email alerts for specific companies or industries to receive updates on new financial data and reports.
    • MarketLine: This database offers in-depth market and consumer research reports for various industries in the UK. Set up alerts to receive notifications about new reports and trends.
    • Statista: This platform offers a vast collection of statistics and data on various industries and markets in the UK. Explore their "Reports" feature for curated insights and reports on specific topics.
    • Bloomberg: Bloomberg Terminal provides real-time market news, expert analysis, and comprehensive company and industry data. Set up email alerts or notifications to stay updated on specific companies, industries, economic indicators, or market news in real time. Alerts can be customised to trigger based on various criteria, such as price movements, news events, or analyst ratings.
  • Journal Articles:
    • Library Search: Set up alerts for searches in Library Search in order to get emails whenever any new articles that match your search are added to the databases covered by Library Search.
    • BrowZine/Journals: Add key business titles to My Bookshelf in BrowZine and choose from daily or weekly email alerts whenever any new articles are published in them.
  • News and Media Sources:
    • Financial Times: A leading source of business and financial news in the UK. Subscribe to their newsletters or follow them on social media for updates on breaking news and analysis.
    • The Economist: This weekly magazine provides in-depth analysis and commentary on global business and economic trends, including those relevant to the UK. Sign up for one of their free newsletters to get selected news and updates.
    • Industry-Specific Publications: Follow trade journals and publications relevant to your area of interest (e.g., Retail Week for retail, The Grocer for food and drink, Property Week for real estate).
  • Social Media:
    • LinkedIn: Follow relevant companies, industry leaders, and professional organisations to stay informed about industry news and discussions.
    • Twitter: Monitor hashtags related to your field of interest (e.g., #UKBusiness, #FinTech, #RetailTech) to discover trending topics and insights.
  • Industry Events and Conferences:
    • Conferences and Webinars: Participate in events organised by professional associations, industry groups, and universities to network with experts, learn about new research findings, and gain insights into emerging trends. Many offer discounted places or bursaries for students.
    • Trade Shows: Visit trade shows to see the latest products and services, connect with suppliers, and learn about industry innovations.
  • Additional Resources: