Competitor and industry research: Trade associations

Trade (or industry) associations often conduct industry research. This data is usually distributed only to members, although sometimes they will make parts of their reports available to non-members and the press as well.

Trade groups also publish member directories that can be useful in tracking down competition. Again, these directories are usually for members only, but it can be worth the price of joining to gain access to these lists. Consult the following sources to find out what trade associations exist in your industry:

• Yellow Pages: The Yellow Pages is a business directory for local SMEs and corporates in South Africa. The search "trade asociations" provides the names, industries, and contact details of various associations around the country. It is optional for entities to list their businesses/associations on the site.
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS): The SABS provides a curated, verified list of industry organizations and memberships. This list is freely accessible and is available to the public for download. 

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To Creating a business plan: Business description toolbox