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Boardman library hosts business program
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Stuart Gibbs of the Main library's Business and Investment Center began setting up his presentation before the start of his program on how businesses can better know their customers at the Boardman library.
By TIM CLEVELAND
As part of his four-part business workshop series, Stuart Gibbs of the Main library’s Business and Investment Center gave a presentation on how businesses can better know their customers on Jan. 26 at the Boardman library.
The other workshops in the series were starting a small business, creating a business plan and locate your customers.
Gibbs presented three databases the library has that business owners can use to help identify potential customers.
“Who are potential customers I can link up to,” he said. “We’re going to look at the library’s databases as far as sources are concerned. We’re also going to look at the demographics of our community. For example, what are the convenient stores sales of particular products; candy, beer, eggs, milk. What’s selling more?
“Another thing we’re going to look at is specific population groups. What does the aging population that’s two seniors in a household buy? What are their interests? What do they read? What do those groups of people do in their spare time?”
The first database Gibbs spoke about was DemographicsNow. It has everything about people’s buying habits except names and addresses. Gibbs said that for instance, it shows how much alcohol is bought at convenience stores in a particular zip code, address or radius.
The second was Reference USA. It is based upon individuals who buy things with a credit card or take a survey. Their data is bought by Reference USA. The database has a scale of 0-10 and if someone scores a seven or higher, their name gets attached to a specific subject they’re interested in based on their buying habits.
The final database was Local Market Audience Analyst, which covers predictive behavior.
Gibbs said anyone who utilizes the program can find a wealth of information.
“They’re going to learn what’s going on in our community and potentially find customers or people that have the same interest that they have,” he said.