A great template for company overview research along with essential sources

1. Essential Research Toolkit™ Company Profile Template & Sources
©Insight Information Solutions, LLC 1 All Rights Reserved
Company Profile
Template & Sources
By:
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2. Essential Research Toolkit™ Company Profile Template & Sources
©Insight Information Solutions, LLC 2 All Rights Reserved
Company Profile Template
At the top of the page, put the following:
Name of Company:
Date Researched:
Then, add sections as they apply from the below list. Not all sections will apply to every company.
Pertinent information will vary based on industry and operations.
Business Overview
 Basic description of what the company does. Include headquarters location and number of
employees (and whether unionized)
Properties
 Include branch locations, if any
Subsidiaries
 Include subsidiary information, if any
Financial Performance
 Summarize the company’s financial performance, if available. At minimum, try to find
estimated revenues. Include other metrics as applicable (especially for public companies). If
there is a reason for a big profit or loss, note it here
Ownership
 Include top holders of stock if a public company. If private but owned by a private equity group,
this is a good place to offer brief info on the PEG
Outlook for the Future
 Include any plans for the future the company may release publically
Key Issues
 What are the company’s biggest issues? (i.e. customer concentration, exchange rates, pending
major litigation, information security) Add if you know them.
Transaction History
 Public companies release information on major transactions. Note it here. If you find press
releases on private investments in private companies, note them.
Business Background
 Great section for if the company has a storied history.

3. Essential Research Toolkit™ Company Profile Template & Sources
©Insight Information Solutions, LLC 3 All Rights Reserved
Recent News
 Include news articles for the past 12 months, at minimum. Include only relevant articles. Be
sure to note the source and date of the article so you can refer to it later!
Key Developments
 Alternate way of summarizing major company events. Can be used with or in place of news
section.
Litigation
 Check for recent company litigation. Public companies disclose major litigation. Check PACER
for federal filings. Check state courts (if online).
Government Involvement/Violations
 Review OSHA Establishment Search, EPA ECHO, FMCSA SAFER, the SEC/EDGAR, NLRB,
USASpending.gov and Opensecrets.org for information.
Leadership
 List company management and directors
Competitors / Suppliers
 List major competitors and/or suppliers
Basic Industry Information
 Provide a basic industry overview. Note the company NAICS or SIC code, if you can find it.

4. Essential Research Toolkit™ Company Profile Template & Sources
©Insight Information Solutions, LLC 4 All Rights Reserved
The source list below contains a minimum list of sources you should check with each profile you do.
Sources vary by industry. Contact us for industry-specific sources.
Source Type Cost Purpose Notes
Avention Business $$
Premium database for
detailed company info Search for company
Better Business Bureau
Free Deep
Web Free
Notes consumer
complaints Search for company
Bizjournals.com Newspaper Free
Check for local
business news
Use the search
function for your
company
Capital IQ Business $$$
Premium database for
complete company info Search for company
EPA ECHO Government Free
Check for
environmental issues
Google for EPA Echo.
Search your company
FMCSA SAFER Government Free
Check to see if
company has trucks
Google FMCSA
SAFER. Search your
company
FreeERISA.com
Free Deep
Web Free
Provides retirement
plan information Search for company
Google
Search
Engine Free Internet Search
Check a minimum of
10 pages
Guidestar.org
Free Deep
Web Free
Provides details and
financials of nonprofits
Use if looking up a
nonprofit
Hoover's Business $$
Premium database for
detailed company info Search for company
Law.com Legal Free Check legal issues Search for company
Local Newspapers Newspaper Free Check for local news
Google for town +
newspapers. Review
site of local paper
Manta.com
Free Deep
Web Free
Check for company
listing and rev / ee Search for company
NLRB Government Free Check for union issues
Google NLRB.
Choose cases &
decisions. Search your
company
Opensecrets.org
Free Deep
Web Free
Provides lobbying
information Search for company
OSHA Government Free
Check for OSHA
complaints/inspections
Google for OSHA
Establishment Search.
Search your company

5. Essential Research Toolkit™ Company Profile Template & Sources
©Insight Information Solutions, LLC 5 All Rights Reserved
Source Type Cost Purpose Notes
Owler
Free Deep
Web Free Company Info Search for company
PACER Legal $
Check federal court
cases. Small fee. Search for company
Patents/Trademarks Government Free
Checks intellectual
property. Complex
searches should be
done by a professional Search for company
Pitchbook Business $$
Premium database for
detailed company info Search for company
SEC (EDGAR) Government Free
Check SEC filings for
public companies
Google for EDGAR.
Public companies will
appear
State Courts Government Free / $ Check litigation Search for company
State Gov't Agencies Government Free
Provides state gov't
information. Check by
agency
Check state
corporation website
and any others of
interest depending on
the industry.
State Procurement/Contract
Website Government Free
Provides state contract
information Search for company
The Deal Business Free / $
Check transaction
history/news Search for company
USASpending.gov Government Free
Provides federal
contract information Search for company
Yahoo
Search
Engine Free Internet Search
Check a minimum of
10 pages