Understanding an industry means understanding the environment in which your organization operates—or plans to operate. This session, presented by established professionals, introduces practical approaches and essential resources for industry research, equipping participants to answer complex questions with confidence. Designed for special librarians new to business research—or those seeking a refresher—this session provides foundational concepts and context for navigating the vast landscape of industry information. We’ll demystify frameworks such as SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain vs Supply Chain, PEST, and classification systems like NAICS and NAPCS/HTS, alongside key business sources.