1. SWOT Analysis (C) Krystle Attard 2013

2.  A situation analysis where internal strengths and weaknesses of an organization are examined in line with potential opportunities and threats to chart a strategy Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (C) Krystle Attard 2013

3.  A firm’s strengths are its resources and capabilities that can be used as a basis for developing a competitive advantage Examples:  patents, brand names, reputation, cost advantages, access to resources, distribution networks (C) Krystle Attard 2013

4.  Absence of strengths or threats to profitability  Deals with product features from production to sales and marketing stages Examples:  patent protection, established competition, price vs. quality balance, limited access to resources (C) Krystle Attard 2013

5.  The external environmental analysis may reveal certain new opportunities for profit and growth Examples:  An unfulfilled customer need  New technologies  Loosening of regulations  Less international trade barriers (C) Krystle Attard 2013

6.  Changes in the external environmental also may present threats to the firm Examples:  Shifting consumer tastes  Substitute products  New regulations  Increased trade barriers  Increased overheads (C) Krystle Attard 2013

7.  A firm should not necessarily pursue the more money-spinning opportunities  There may be a better chance at developing a competitive advantage by identifying a balance between the firm’s strengths and upcoming opportunities (C) Krystle Attard 2013

8. StrengthsWeaknesses OpportunitiesS-OW-O ThreatsS-TW-T (C) Krystle Attard 2013

9. S-O Strategies:  pursue business opportunities which fit in with the company’s established strengths W-O Strategies:  overcome weaknesses to pursue opportunities (C) Krystle Attard 2013

10. S-T Strategies:  identify ways how to use the firm’s strengths to reduce its vulnerability to external threats W-T Strategies:  establish a defensive plan to prevent the firm’s weaknesses from making it highly susceptible to external threats (C) Krystle Attard 2013