First Research Toolkit

When you first open the database, click the Continue (twice) and Submit buttons to access the database. 

You can search or browse for reports in the following ways:

• Enter your keyword or NAICS industry code in the search box to find information on U.S. industries.
• Select the Browse Industry Profiles link under the search box to drill down to your industry segment.
• Select the Industry Prospector tab to sort and rank industries based on key economic or financial metrics you select. Note: You can only choose one metric at a time.
• Select the International Global Content tab to open a page like the homepage that offers international content.
  • The international Industry Prospector is found by selecting the International Trade link under Tools & Resources.
  • Canadian industries are broken out for browsing.

When you're on an industry profile page, you can find different categories of information for that industry in the profile menu (which should be on the left in most browsers).

For extra help, check out the First Research FAQs (in the website footer) and the Welcome Toolkit (in the Tools & Resources menu).

Business issues can differ from state to state depending on economic and industry conditions. Get a regional insight on a specific U.S. state or Canadian province using the North America Regional Info tab. Basic foreign country profiles can be found under the International Global Content tab. 

Can't find your industry with your keyword? Try using a standardized industry code: NAICS (North American Industry Classification System). Check out the Understand Industry Classification Codes guide for more information.

Need a jumpstart on your marketing communications? The Sales & Marketing: Customize Communications templates offer samples for e-mail and phone communications.

Have a question or need help?

Use the Call Prep Sheet, found in the box on the top left side of each industry profile page, to get an executive summary that highlights the key data points related to your industry. It includes challenges and opportunities and provides questions to align with them to help you understand the industry.