Below is a simple guide to researching a specific COMPANY. After completing your research, you should be able to answer ALL of the following questions IN DETAIL.
MARKET POSITIONING
Detail recent news about the company
· Financial results (i.e. stock price, earnings announcements)
· New products
· Mergers & acquisitions
· Change in leadership
How is the company positioned versus its competitors?
· What is the market share of key products / business units?
· What operational advantages does the company have (e.g. production efficiencies, lower labor costs)
· What intellectual property does the company have?
· What financial advantages does the company have (e.g. cash, high stock price)
ORGANIZATION
What are the different divisions within the company and what do they do?
· How many people in the division?
· How much revenue does the division generate?
· What products & services is the division responsible for?
· What is the management structure of the division?
Provide brief outlines of key events in the company’s history
· Mergers & acquisitions
· Product development
· Litigation
· Management changes
· Key contracts
Provide brief bios of key managers in the organization
· CEO, President, CFO, Founder, Divisional heads
· Career progression within the company
· Educational background
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
What are the company’s most important products & services and how do they perform versus their peer group?
· What are their major brands in the marketplace?
· What is the company’s revenue breakdown by product / service?
· What market share does each brand / service have (by region, by demographic)?
· How profitable are each of the brands / services?
Who are the company’s largest customers / clients?
· By product / service
· By region
· Within demographic segment
CULTURE
Describe the culture of the organization
· What type of personality types are successful (i.e. aggressive, intellectual, entrepreneurial)
· How many hours are people expected to work?
· Is it a competitive environment?
· How does the company foster diversity?
· Is there a culture of philanthropy?
What elements of the company culture differentiate it from its peers?
COMPENSATION
How does the company’s compensation structure differ from its peers?
· Salary
· Bonus
· Deferred Compensation
· Options
· Benefits
· Perquisites