DB FPX 8400 Assessment 3 Library & Annotated Bibliography
The final helpful database is the Business Market Research Collection (BMRC), which provides information on the results of marketing efforts.
Keyword searches are crucial because they tell search engines about the content you are looking for in the database. Keywords help narrow down search results, especially when there are numerous articles to sift through. Keywords I could use to search the three databases include business management, small business, marketing, promoting, and business community. “Business management” refers to managing the operations of or within a business, a relevant topic as I am a small business owner. “Marketing” involves the activities, institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings of value to customers, clients, partners, and society.
“Promoting/Promotion” refers to any marketing communication used to inform target audiences about the benefits of a product, service, brand, or issue. Lastly, “business community” encompasses the individuals who manage businesses, which fosters vital social connections and engagement. Community belonging boosts physical and mental health. When conducting research, it is beneficial to use multiple search methods, such as Google Scholar, which I have previously used to find scholarly articles.
Annotated Bibliography
Small businesses are the root of major businesses, which often started as small ventures. There has been a surge in small mom-and-pop businesses since the COVID-19 pandemic, as people realized the importance of providing meaningful services. Although not everyone can be a CEO, this period has underscored the value of fulfilling one’s purpose through business and entrepreneurship. This article details the structure of small businesses and their role in the growth of Fortune 500 companies. Every company starts small, and while SBA loans and lending can help business growth, they can also be detrimental if the business is not profitable. Rapid expansion can stunt growth without proper clientele and marketing. Financial management is crucial when obtaining an SBA loan, as the terms of the agreement can significantly impact the business. The question remains whether these loans are designed to help or to keep businesses in debt to the government.
Word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing is the most influential form of marketing for spreading or promoting information. Research shows that WOM is the most effective type of marketing. Although some believe guerilla marketing is obsolete, WOM consistently proves the necessity of physical marketing to generate buzz and viral promotion. Consumers need to trust and believe in the product, and hearing positive feedback from trusted sources builds that trust. Persuasive marketers invest in campaigns that leverage WOM. For businesses, WOM is also cost-efficient because it does not require significant expenditure to persuade potential customers.
References
EBSCO Information Services, Inc. (2021). Business Source Complete | EBSCO. Retrieved from https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/business-source-complete