Strengths
Strengths are the resources and capabilities that give you an edge over your rivals in the market. Some of the examples are:
Good reputation in the market.
Exclusive access to certain resources.
Highly motivated workforce.
Cost advantages.
Good distribution network.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses can be defined as the disadvantages an organization has over others in the market. Some of the weaknesses can be:
A weak brand name.
A disinterested staff.
Poor reputation among customers.
Poor distribution networks.
Debt of shareholders
Opportunities
Opportunities are the favorable external factors that contribute to the expansion of a business. Some opportunities are:
An unfulfilled customer need.
Technological improvement.
Lenient regulations.
Removal of international trade barriers.
Threats
A sudden change in the external environment which is unfavorable to the organization is classified as a threat. Some threats can be:
Change in customer's tastes preferring other brand to yours.
Stricter regulations.
Increased trade barriers.
SWOT Analysis Sample
Let us take a SWOT analysis sample of the No.1 fast food company McDonald's:
Strengths
It is the largest fast food chain in the world and is No.1 in annual sales.
Offers a variety of products keeping in view the socio-religious factors. For example, while beef burgers are common in western and Muslim world, they are not a part of the menu in India where cow is considered sacred.
It offers drive-through service for customers on the move, promoting itself as a time efficient company.
McDonald's has a positive image amongst customers, thanks to the Ronald McDonald House Charity which has done a commendable jobs in the recent years.
Weaknesses
The recent spate of accusations against McDonald's about the high-fat content foods has turned many health conscious people away. Also, the million-dollar lawsuits have only made the matters worse.
While many agree that when it comes to burgers, McDonald's is up there at the top, but lack of non-hamburger sandwiches are turning customers away to brands like Pizza Hut, Taco Bell etc.
Opportunities
McDonald's has recently started the program of going green. This can go a long way in helping McDonald's emerge as a societal company.
McDonald's can develop healthier food which in turn will appeal to health conscious people, who currently avoid it.
McDonald's has already set up coffee shops, which can considerably increase the sales and open up new new avenues for the company.
Threats
The monopoly McDonald's once enjoyed has come to an end with different brands coming up their own exciting menu of burgers. Apart from the established names like KFC, Subway, Burger King, Yum etc., it is facing the challenge from other local establishments around the world.
McDonald's has one of the highest turnover ratios, that is, people working for McDonald's do not see as a long term option and just 'fill in' there for time being
McDonald's unknowingly has become the symbol of American capitalistic economy with it being accused of exploiting its workers and robbing the poor. This may not be true, but then it has left a bad taste in the mouths of many customers.
In the field of human resource management, SWOT analysis sample is used mainly for recruitment purposes. Every new employee can be an asset or a liability for the organization, which makes the the HR's role even more important. The SWOT analysis template given above can be used as a HR SWOT analysis sample.
SWOT Analysis Tips
In SWOT analysis, strengths and weaknesses refer to the company's internal surroundings, whereas opportunities and threats refer to the external environment of the organization. Let us check some SWOT analysis tips
The person you are putting in charge of SWOT analysis should be knowledgeable about the market environment. He/she ideally can be a business consultant.
The time taken to complete a SWOT analysis should not run in months, rather set a time-frame of about one or two weeks to complete the SWOT analysis.
Make lists, and prioritize the lists so that the lowest priority things are at the bottom.
While listing down opportunities and weaknesses, do not stroll too far, make a strategy of 3-4 months maximum.
Strengths are the resources and capabilities that give you an edge over your rivals in the market. Some of the examples are:
Good reputation in the market.
Exclusive access to certain resources.
Highly motivated workforce.
Cost advantages.
Good distribution network.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses can be defined as the disadvantages an organization has over others in the market. Some of the weaknesses can be:
A weak brand name.
A disinterested staff.
Poor reputation among customers.
Poor distribution networks.
Debt of shareholders
Opportunities
Opportunities are the favorable external factors that contribute to the expansion of a business. Some opportunities are:
An unfulfilled customer need.
Technological improvement.
Lenient regulations.
Removal of international trade barriers.
Threats
A sudden change in the external environment which is unfavorable to the organization is classified as a threat. Some threats can be:
Change in customer's tastes preferring other brand to yours.
Stricter regulations.
Increased trade barriers.
SWOT Analysis Sample
Let us take a SWOT analysis sample of the No.1 fast food company McDonald's:
Strengths
It is the largest fast food chain in the world and is No.1 in annual sales.
Offers a variety of products keeping in view the socio-religious factors. For example, while beef burgers are common in western and Muslim world, they are not a part of the menu in India where cow is considered sacred.
It offers drive-through service for customers on the move, promoting itself as a time efficient company.
McDonald's has a positive image amongst customers, thanks to the Ronald McDonald House Charity which has done a commendable jobs in the recent years.
Weaknesses
The recent spate of accusations against McDonald's about the high-fat content foods has turned many health conscious people away. Also, the million-dollar lawsuits have only made the matters worse.
While many agree that when it comes to burgers, McDonald's is up there at the top, but lack of non-hamburger sandwiches are turning customers away to brands like Pizza Hut, Taco Bell etc.
Opportunities
McDonald's has recently started the program of going green. This can go a long way in helping McDonald's emerge as a societal company.
McDonald's can develop healthier food which in turn will appeal to health conscious people, who currently avoid it.
McDonald's has already set up coffee shops, which can considerably increase the sales and open up new new avenues for the company.
Threats
The monopoly McDonald's once enjoyed has come to an end with different brands coming up their own exciting menu of burgers. Apart from the established names like KFC, Subway, Burger King, Yum etc., it is facing the challenge from other local establishments around the world.
McDonald's has one of the highest turnover ratios, that is, people working for McDonald's do not see as a long term option and just 'fill in' there for time being
McDonald's unknowingly has become the symbol of American capitalistic economy with it being accused of exploiting its workers and robbing the poor. This may not be true, but then it has left a bad taste in the mouths of many customers.
In the field of human resource management, SWOT analysis sample is used mainly for recruitment purposes. Every new employee can be an asset or a liability for the organization, which makes the the HR's role even more important. The SWOT analysis template given above can be used as a HR SWOT analysis sample.
SWOT Analysis Tips
In SWOT analysis, strengths and weaknesses refer to the company's internal surroundings, whereas opportunities and threats refer to the external environment of the organization. Let us check some SWOT analysis tips
The person you are putting in charge of SWOT analysis should be knowledgeable about the market environment. He/she ideally can be a business consultant.
The time taken to complete a SWOT analysis should not run in months, rather set a time-frame of about one or two weeks to complete the SWOT analysis.
Make lists, and prioritize the lists so that the lowest priority things are at the bottom.
While listing down opportunities and weaknesses, do not stroll too far, make a strategy of 3-4 months maximum.
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