GDF SUEZ&nbsp;Business Reports

Electrical Contractors Industry Report

Overview

The US electrical contracting industry includes about 75,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $110 billion. Major companies include EMCOR Group, Integrated Electrical Services, Rosendin Electric, MC Dean, and MYR Group. The industry is highly fragmented: 80 percent of electrical contracting firms have fewer than 10 employees.

SIC: 1731

NAICS: 238210

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the company protect itself from economic or industry volatility?

Industry revenue is closely tied to new industrial, commercial, and residential construction, which can be highly cyclical and volatile. The nation's construction industry recovery may not come until 2013, according to the Associated Builders and...

What proportion of the company's future work will be made up of renewable energy projects?

Electrical contractors bear the risk of material and labor cost fluctuations with fixed-price contracts. If estimates are inaccurate or commodity prices too volatile, contractors could lose money on projects. Long-term projects are especially...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Electrical Contractors Industry Report

Consulting Services Industry Report

Overview

The US consulting services industry includes about 130,000 firms with combined annual revenue of about $165 billion. Major companies include Accenture, Bain, Booz Allen, Deloitte Consulting (an affiliate of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu), and IBM Global Services. The industry is fragmented: the top 50 companies account for less than 30 percent of total industry revenue.

SIC: 0781, 4731, 7361, 8741, 8742, 8999

NAICS: 541611, 541612, 541613, 541614, 541618, 541690, 541620

Sample Questions & Answers

How are current economic conditions affecting demand and company revenue?

Consulting revenue depends on economic growth, and especially on corporate profits. Consultants are considered an expendable cost (or one that can at least be delayed) when companies face an economic slowdown. During recessions, corporate profits may...

How is the company lowering employee attrition?

Consulting firms depend heavily on the intellectual capital of employees, yet most companies face high levels of voluntary attrition. The typical employee tenure at a major consulting firm is around two years; companies regularly face annual...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Consulting Services Industry Report

Commercial & Heavy Construction Contractors Industry Report

Overview

The US commercial and heavy construction contractors industry includes about 80,000 firms with combined annual revenue of about $545 billion. Major companies include Bechtel, Fluor, Jacobs Engineering, Peter Kiewit Sons', and Turner Construction. The industry is highly fragmented.

SIC: 1623, 6552, 1622, 1611, 1541, 1522, 1389

NAICS: 236210, 236220, 237110, 237120, 237130, 237210, 237310, 237990

Sample Questions & Answers

What strategies does the firm use to protect against slowdowns in construction activity?

A tight financing environment for construction loans has made a once booming industry slow significantly. The slowdown in commercial construction activity has made work for contractors scarce in certain sectors. Many companies try to protect against...

How seasonal or erratic is the company's cash flow?

Although commercial contractors incur a steady stream of expenses, payments from customers are periodic, including amounts retained until after a project is complete. Bad weather can significantly delay construction schedules, creating uneven cash...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Commercial & Heavy Construction Contractors Industry Report

Engineering Services Industry Report

Overview

The US engineering services industry includes about 60,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $255 billion. Major companies include URS, Jacobs Engineering, and the engineering divisions of large construction companies such as Fluor and Bechtel. The industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest firms account for about 35 percent of industry revenue.

SIC: 7389, 8711

NAICS: 541330, 541340, 541712

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the firm adapt to cyclical demand?

Demand in major engineering fields such as construction and industrial process design depends heavily on the health of the US economy. During economic slowdowns, engineering firms are disproportionately hurt. For example, during the late 2000s...

How accurately does the firm estimate costs?

Project cost overruns are a primary cause of financial distress for engineering companies. Some firms have incurred heavy losses from underestimating costs, forcing them to divest business units or file for bankruptcy. In addition to paying for cost...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Engineering Services Industry Report

Professional Services Sector Industry Report

Overview

The US professional services industry includes about 770,000 firms with combined annual revenue of more than $1 trillion. Major firms include Booz Allen Hamilton, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Gensler, IBM, Jacobs Engineering Group, Omnicom, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. The industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest firms account for less than 20 percent of revenue.

SIC: 8743, 8999, 0781, 0741, 7335, 4731, 5199, 6541, 7221, 7291, 7311, 7312, 7313, 7319, 7331, 8742, 7336, 7361, 7371, 7373, 7376, 7379, 7389, 7819, 8111, 8711, 8712, 8713, 8721, 8731, 8732, 8734, 8741

NAICS: 541940, 541990, 541110, 541120, 541191, 541199, 541211, 541213, 541214, 541219, 541310, 541430, 541490, 541511, 541512, 541513, 541519, 541611, 541612, 541613, 541614, 541618, 541620, 541690, 541711, 541712, 541720, 541810, 541820, 541830, 541840, 541850, 541860, 541870, 541890, 541910, 541921, 541922, 541930, 541320, 541330, 541340, 541350, 541360, 541370, 541380, 541410, 541420

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the firm adapt to lower demand during economic slowdowns?

Many corporate customers cut outside expenses or delay major projects when profits are low. The revenue of many professional firms dropped during the late 2000s recession; particularly hard-hit were advertising, engineering, and IT services firms.

How does the firm mitigate the risk that customers will sue?

Because of the greater involvement of professional firms in the operations of corporate customers, firms face greater risk of blame or liability if their advice proves faulty. Customers are quicker to blame advisers, and regulators are more likely to...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Professional Services Sector Industry Report

Electric Power Generation Industry Report

Overview

The US electric power generation industry consists of about 480 companies with combined annual revenue of about $120 billion. Major companies include American Electric Power, AES, Dominion Resources, Duke Energy, and Exelon. The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 85 percent of revenue.

SIC: 4911

NAICS: 221119, 221113, 221112, 221111

Sample Questions & Answers

How do fuel price fluctuations affect the company's revenue?

Many power companies use natural gas, which is subject to significant price swings, to generate much of their power. To minimize the volatility of natural gas prices, utilities try to negotiate long-term contracts. Coal prices are relatively stable,...

How is climate change legislation affecting the company's operations?

Possible climate change legislation has become a deciding factor in the type of fuel that new power plants will use. Coal and natural gas will continue to be the fuels of choice in the short term, but other fuels will gain popularity. More than half...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Electric Power Generation Industry Report

Electric Power Transmission, Distribution & Marketing Industry Report

Overview

The US electric power transmission and distribution (electric energy distribution) industry includes about 1,200 companies with combined annual revenue of about $450 billion. Major companies include American Electric Power, Exelon, NextEra Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Southern Company. The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for more than 80 percent of revenue.

SIC: 4911

NAICS: 221122, 221121

Sample Questions & Answers

How do economic shifts in the company's service area impact energy demand?

Although some portions of electricity demand, such as for residential and commercial use, tend to increase steadily, US industrial use varies with the level of economic activity. However, in the recession of the late 2000s, even though residential...

How are changes in regulation impacting the company?

In most markets, the rates electricity distributors can charge are regulated by state public utility commissions (PUCs). Rates are usually set to enable the distributor to earn an appropriate ROI, but winning rate increases to reflect higher costs...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Electric Power Transmission, Distribution & Marketing Industry Report

Natural Gas Distribution & Marketing Industry Report

Overview

The US natural gas distribution industry includes about 450 companies with combined annual revenue of about $130 billion. Major companies include CenterPoint Energy, NiSource, and Sempra Energy, as well as natural gas distribution subsidiaries of companies such as Dominion Resources and ONEOK. The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 90 percent of revenue.

SIC: 4923

NAICS: 221210

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the company hedge against price changes?

Because of changing crude oil prices and distribution bottlenecks, prices for natural gas can vary substantially from month to month. In the last few years, the average US wellhead price varied from $2 to $10 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf). Price...

What new or prospective regulations concern the company the most?

State and federal regulators control the interstate distribution and retail pricing of natural gas. Pricing regulations can affect profitability, because distributors can't easily pass on higher costs to customers. In recent years, the goal of...

To read this full Call Prep Question and others, purchase the full report.

General Report Description

Save valuable research time, increase confidence on sales calls, and get the competitive edge to win more business with Hoover's Industry Report. Proprietary editorial analysis synthesizes hundreds of sources into an easy-to-digest format so that you can quickly understand a client's business challenges. Insight into critical business issues, industry trends and opportunities, and financial benchmarks is an integral part of each report.

Sections Included in Report

Industry Overview
Quarterly Industry Update
Business Challenges
Trends and Opportunities
Call Preparation Questions
Financial Information
Industry Forecast
Website and Media Links
Glossary of Acronyms

Industry Report Highlights:

Recent Developments
Stay up to date on crucial industry news that may affect your strategy.
Trends & Opportunies
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rappart with prospects during youir sales calls using done-for-you call prearation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planing.

Business Challenges
Engage your prospects with solution selling that makes their life easier by first understanding their pain points.
Executive Insight
Identify the correct decision maker and tailor your presentation to his or her needs, and maximize the effectiveness of your pitch.
Financial Information
Increase your credibility and support your presentations by adding verifiable industry metrics.
Web Links & Acronyms
Speak the Prospect's language by demonstrating an understanding of industry trade associations and jargon.

Natural Gas Distribution & Marketing Industry Report