OptumInsight&nbsp;Business Reports

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 & Opportunities
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rapport with prospects during your sales calls using done-for-you call preparation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planning.

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

Insurance Agencies & Brokerages Industry Report

Overview

The US insurance agencies and brokerages industry includes about 135,000 establishments (single-location companies and branches of multi-location companies) with annual revenue of about $110 billion. Large companies include Marsh, Aon, Arthur J Gallagher, and State Farm. Despite the prominence of large companies in the commercial segment, the industry remains highly fragmented: the largest 50 firms only hold 20 percent of the total market. Many companies that primarily offer insurance products to businesses function mainly as brokers. Captive agencies operate as a sales agent for a single insurer, working on its behalf; independent brokers sell products from several providers.

SIC: 6411

NAICS: 524210, 524291, 524292

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the agency or broker manage shifts in demand due to economic conditions?

The revenue of many insurance agencies swings with economic conditions, especially in property and casualty insurance, because the volume of insurance-related transactions changes. For instance, net losses on underwriting property and casualty...

How have agency or broker sales been affected by the Internet?

Insurers can easily sell auto and term life insurance, the largest volume of insurance business, over the Internet rather than through an independent agent. Many insurance companies also sell a significant number of policies directly to consumers...

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 & Opportunities
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rapport with prospects during your sales calls using done-for-you call preparation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planning.

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.

Insurance Agencies & Brokerages Industry Report

Business Services Sector Industry Report

Overview

The US tire wholesaler industry includes about 1,200 companies with combined annual revenue of about $25 billion. Major companies include American Tire Distributors and TBC Corporation. The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 70 percent of revenue.

SIC: 5014

NAICS: 423130

Sample Questions & Answers

How sharply would the company be affected if it lost its main supplier?

Most wholesalers depend highly on a few large suppliers. Because of industry consolidation in the past decade, the four largest manufacturers account for 75 percent of US production. Consequently, wholesalers have reduced power to negotiate favorable...

How does the company protect itself from higher fuel costs?

Because they distribute a heavy product with a fairly low profit margin, tire wholesalers are vulnerable to increases in fuel costs, as prices for gas or diesel can increase 50 percent within a year. If higher delivery costs are passed to customers,...

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 & Opportunities
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rapport with prospects during your sales calls using done-for-you call preparation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planning.

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.

Business Services Sector Industry Report

Computer Software Industry Report

Overview

The US computer software industry involves about 60,000 companies with combined annual revenue of about $240 billion. About 60 percent of industry revenue comes from software publishing; custom programming accounts for the remainder. Large companies include Adobe Systems, CA, Microsoft, Oracle, and Symantec. The US packaged software segment is concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 70 percent of revenue. The US custom programming segment is highly fragmented.

SIC: 7372

NAICS: 511210

Sample Questions & Answers

How does the company manage shifts in customer technology spending?

Demand for specific types of software depends on different end-user trends, but overall demand follows corporate and consumer spending on computers. Recessionary trends such as budget cuts and reduced access to credit result in declining computer...

How is the company addressing the shortened shelf-life of products?

Because of the rapid development of new products and technologies, software has a relatively short shelf-life. Although software may be in general use for many years, the effective sales period is short. Failure to develop new products or delays in...

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 & Opportunities
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rapport with prospects during your sales calls using done-for-you call preparation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planning.

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.

Computer Software 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 & Opportunities
Identify avenues for expansion and get prospects thinking about growth opportunities that justify investing in your product.
Call Preparation Questions
Gain instant rapport with prospects during your sales calls using done-for-you call preparation questions.
Industry Forecast
Identify growth and integrate projections in your own business planning.

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