What does every business need but not every industry have?

The Indicator explains the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), a set of codes used by the government and businesses to categorize every type of economic activity, from artificial turf installation to zucchini farming. The episode follows one business's attempt to obtain its own NAICS code, highlighting why these codes are so valuable—and why getting one can be a bureaucratic challenge. Through this story, the show demonstrates how an obscure government classification system can directly impact business opportunities.