SWOT Analysis for Business Development, Benefits and Example

October 23, 2023

Table of Contents

SWOT Analysis
What Is SWOT Analysis? 

SWOT Analysis is a valuable tool for businesses. It is based on the four basic elements of a business strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It is a structure that helps companies determine where they stand and what they can do to improve. These are exactly like puzzle pieces that reveal to a business what is excellent about them, what is not so good, what might benefit them, and what might hurt them. 

When a company does strategic planning using SWOT Analysis, it considers both internal factors of the company like their skills and problems and external factors like changes in the market. This helps them make intelligent plans for the present and the future. 

The key to a good SWOT Analysis is designed to facilitate realistic, fact-based, data-driven, not just guesswork. It is like looking at things through clear glasses instead of blurry ones. This tool is like a map to show the way, but companies should remember it is not a strict rulebook – it’s more like helpful advice. 

Understanding SWOT Analysis 

SWOT analysis is a valuable technique employed to evaluate the overall performance of a business, scrutinize its competitive landscape, identify potential threats, and uncover future growth opportunities. This strategic tool isn’t limited to assessing the entire organization; it can be effectively applied to dissect smaller components, such as a product line, a specific department, an entire industry, or any other facet within a company. 

To do a SWOT analysis, you gather data from inside and outside the business. This information helps the company make more innovative plans and avoid choices that might not work out well. It is more than just the business itself that can use this analysis. Experts who study businesses, investors, and even rivals can use it to figure out if a company, a product line, or an industry is strong or weak and why. 

Initially, SWOT analysis was created to understand businesses, but now it’s used by all sorts of people and organisations, like governments, nonprofits, investors, and people starting their businesses. It is like a versatile tool that can be applied in many different situations. 

This Analysis consists of four main parts, and each one is essential for a complete analysis. These are: 

1.    Strengths: 

Strengths are the elements a company does really well, which make it stand out from its competitors. These can include having a strong and recognizable brand, a dedicated customer base, a stable financial situation, or unique technology. For example, a hedge fund might have a special trading strategy that helps them earn more money. It needs to figure out how to use this strength to attract new investors. 

2.    Weaknesses: 

Weaknesses are those areas where a company is not performing at its best. These are the places where the business needs to improve to stay competitive. It might have a weak brand, high employee turnover, high levels of debt, an inadequate supply chain, or not enough money to operate. Identifying weaknesses helps a company find ways to get better.

3.    Opportunities: 

Opportunities are external factors that could benefit a company. For example, if a country reduces import taxes, a car manufacturer can start selling more cars in that market. This can increase their sales and make them more successful. Recognising these opportunities is vital for growth.

4.    Threats: 

Threats are things that can harm a company. These can include natural disasters for example droughts for wheat producers, rising costs of materials, increased competition, a shortage of skilled workers, etc. Being aware of these threats allows a company to prepare and find ways to protect itself.

So, in a SWOT Analysis, you look at these four things to understand where a business stands and what it can do to stay strong and competitive. 

Book a Call

SWOT Table 

A SWOT analysis is often shown as a square split into four parts, like a puzzle. Each part focuses on one aspect of Business Development. This visual setup makes it easy to see a company’s situation with a quick look. While each section may not carry the same level of significance, they all provide crucial insights into the interplay of opportunities and threats, strengths and weaknesses. Typically, internal factors are positioned at the top, while external factors take the bottom slot in this table. The left side predominantly holds the favourable and constructive aspects, while the right side encompasses the less favourable or unfavourable elements. This arrangement aids individuals in swiftly grasping the overall picture of a company’s situation. 

Performing a SWOT Analysis involves several steps, which can be divided into actions to take before and after analysing the four components. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps involved in a SWOT analysis: 

Step 1: Define Your Goal 

To make your analysis more effective, start by setting a specific goal. For instance, you should decide whether to launch a new product. You can better understand what you want to accomplish with the analysis if you have a clear objective. In this situation, the SWOT analysis ought to assist you in making a wise decision about the new product. 

Step 2: Collect Resources 

Every SWOT analysis is unique, so you’ll need different information to create your analysis table. Identify the data you have access to, the data you might be missing, and the accuracy of your external data sources to get started. Consider about who should be involved in the analysis as well. Some people might know more about what’s happening outside the company, while others within manufacturing or sales departments might understand the internal workings better. Having a variety of perspectives can provide valuable insights. 

Step 3: Generate Ideas 

  1. Next, the team assigned to the SWOT should start brainstorming ideas for each of the four components: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Here are some questions you can consider for each category: 
  2. Strengths: What is the company exceptionally good at? What distinguishes you from your competitors? 
  3. Weaknesses: Where is the company lacking? Are there areas that need improvement? 
  4. Opportunities: What external factors could benefit the company? Are there new markets or trends to tap into? 
  5. Threats: What external factors could harm the company? Are there market changes or competition that pose risks? 

These steps help you gather the necessary information and set the stage for a comprehensive SWOT analysis. After these initial stages, you should actually fill out the SWOT table with specific points in each of the four categories. 

 Inside the company, there are vital factors that provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses sections of the analysis. These internal factors can include: 

1.    Financial Resources: This relates to the money and capital available to the company. Substantial financial resources can be a strength, while financial challenges or debt can be a weakness. 

2.    Human Resources: The skills, expertise, and dedication of the employees are internal strengths. High turnover or a lack of skilled staff can be considered weaknesses. 

3.    Tangible Assets: These are physical assets that a company owns, like machinery, buildings, or inventory. They can be strengths if they’re well-maintained and valuable or weaknesses if they need to be updated or utilised. 

4.    Intangible Assets: These include non-physical assets like brand reputation, patents, or intellectual property. A strong brand name or valuable patents can be strengths, while a damaged reputation can be a weakness. 

5.    Operational Efficiency: How efficiently the company manages its operations and resources is crucial. Inefficiency can be a weakness, whereas high efficiency can be a strength. 

A corporation can better understand its strengths and weaknesses by evaluating these internal elements, which is an important step in the SWOT analysis. 

External factors are just as crucial for a company’s success as internal ones. These outside influences, such as economic policies, market shifts, and relationships with suppliers, are the building blocks for creating a list of opportunities and threats. To identify external factors, consider asking questions like: 

  1. (Opportunity) What trends are noticeable in the market? 
  2. (Opportunity)Are there any demographics we still need to target? 
  3. (Thread)How many competitors are out there, and what part of the market do they control? 
  4. (Thread)Are there new rules or regulations that could affect our operations or products? 

The second stage of the SWOT analysis involves making lists for each of the four categories Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, after gathering data on both internal and external issues. 

Here are some potential questions for each category: 

Strengths  Weaknesses  Opportunities  Threats  
1. What sets us apart from our competitors? 1. Where can we make improvements? 1. Are there new technologies that could benefit us? 1. Are there changing regulations we need to watch out for? 
2. What resources do we have at our disposal? 2. Which products or services are not performing as expected? 2. Is there a chance to expand our operations? 2. What are our competitors up to? 
3. Which of our products or services are doing exceptionally well? 3. In what areas are we lacking the necessary resources? 3. Are there new customer segments we can explore? 3. How are consumer preferences and trends shifting? 

 This step in the process can be a collaborative “white-boarding” or “sticky note” session where there are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to encourage everyone involved to share their thoughts freely. While not all ideas may be used, the aim is to generate as many items as possible to spark creativity and inspiration among the team. 

 Step 4: Refine Your Findings 

After brainstorming, it’s time to sort through all the ideas in each category. This involves cleaning up the list to focus on the most significant ideas. This step may involve some discussion among the analysis team and even getting input from higher-ups in the company to prioritise the key points. 

Step 5: Develop Your Strategy 

Once you have a refined list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, it’s time to turn your SWOT analysis into a plan. The team working on the analysis takes the key items in each category and creates a practical plan that aligns with your original goal. For instance, if you were deciding whether to launch a new product and you found that you’re a market leader in your current product and there’s potential in new markets. However, you also face high costs and other challenges, and your strategy might involve revisiting the decision in six months, hoping for lower prices and more clarity in the market. 

To figure out the difficulties your company faces and the chances it may take advantage of, perform a SWOT analysis. But keep in mind that it’s simply one tool, not a set of rigid guidelines. It provides valuable insights to help guide your decision-making, but it doesn’t prescribe a universally applicable solution. 

Book a Call

 Benefits of SWOT Analysis 

A SWOT analysis may not provide all the answers to a company’s big questions, but it offers several advantages that simplify the process of making strategic decisions: 

1.    Simplifying Complex Issues: 

When dealing with complex decisions, there can be an overwhelming amount of data and factors to consider. SWOT analysis condenses this complexity into a more manageable format. By paring down ideas and ranking them by importance, it turns a potentially overwhelming problem into a more digestible report.

2.    Considering External Factors: 

Companies might be tempted to focus solely on internal factors when making decisions. However, external factors beyond a company’s control can have a significant impact on business outcomes. SWOT analysis looks at both internal factors that a company can manage and external factors that may be harder to control.

3.    Versatility in Applications: 

SWOT analysis is a versatile tool that can be applied to almost any business. It can be used to assess an entire organisation, a team, or an individual. It’s equally effective for evaluating a full product line, rebranding efforts, geographical expansion, or potential acquisitions.

4.    Leveraging Multiple Data Sources: 

A well-prepared SWOT analysis combines different sources of data. It utilises internal information to identify strengths and weaknesses and external information to understand broad market trends, competitors, and macroeconomic forces. This multifaceted approach reduces reliance on a single, potentially biased data source.

5.    Cost-Effectiveness: 

SWOT analysis doesn’t have to be overly technical, making it accessible for various staff members to contribute without requiring specialised training or external consulting. This cost-effective approach allows many perspectives to be considered in the analysis.

To put it simply, a SWOT analysis isn’t a magic fix, but it’s a really useful tool for making complicated decisions easier. It helps you consider outside factors and use data from different places effectively. It’s a valuable part of making important decisions for businesses and groups because it can be used in many different situations, and it doesn’t cost much. 

SWOT Analysis Example 

In 2015, a Value Line SWOT analysis of The Coca-Cola Company highlighted various aspects of the company’s position. The analysis revealed: 

The Coca-Cola Company 
Year: 2015 

 

Strengths and Opportunities Weaknesses and Threats 
Globally famous brand name Vulnerability to foreign currency fluctuations 
Vast distribution network Growing public interest in “healthy” beverages 
Opportunities in emerging markets Competition from healthy beverage providers 

 

This SWOT analysis prompted Value Line to pose some tough questions about Coca-Cola’s strategy, but also to note that the company “will probably remain a top-tier beverage provider” that offered conservative investors “a reliable source of income and a bit of capital gains exposure.” 

Five Years Later: 2020 
The Coca-Cola Company 
Outcome 
– Coca-Cola remains the 6th strongest brand in the world. 
– The shares of Cola Cola (traded under ticker symbol KO) have increased in value by over 60% during the five years after the analysis was completed. 

 

Fictitious Organic Smoothie Company | SWOT Analysis Example  
Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats 
Good sourcing of ingredients Limited product diversification Emerging technology Winter freeze damaging crops 
Personalized customer service High turnover rates Untapped demographics Global pandemic 
Strong relationship with suppliers Outdated equipment Culture shift toward healthy living Supply chain kinks 

Using the SWOT analysis in combination with other planning techniques, the company leveraged its strengths and external opportunities to mitigate threats and improve its weak areas. This strategic analysis helped the company make informed decisions about its future direction in the competitive smoothie market. 

 What Is SWOT Analysis? 

SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, is a method for examining both internal and external factors that influence a company’s current and future operations. It aids in the development of strategic goals. SWOT analysis isn’t limited to companies; individuals can also use it for self-reflection and setting personal improvement objectives. 

What Is an Example of a SWOT Analysis? 

Home Depot conducted a SWOT analysis, which involved listing its internal strengths and weaknesses and external factors that could affect its market position and growth strategy. Strengths included excellent customer service, a strong brand, and positive supplier relationships. Weaknesses were a limited supply chain and a dependence on the U.S. market. Threats included competition, available substitutes, and market conditions. The analysis revealed the need to expand the supply chain and global presence for growth. 

What Are the 4 Steps of SWOT Analysis? 

The four steps of SWOT analysis, represented by the acronym SWOT, involve assessing strengths and weaknesses (internal) and identifying opportunities and threats (external). It can be broken down into two analytical steps: first, examining internal capabilities and then evaluating external factors that can either create opportunities or pose threats. 

How Do You Write a Good SWOT Analysis? 

To create a solid SWOT analysis, start by crafting a set of questions for each element (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats). These questions guide the analysis process and ensure a well-balanced list. SWOT analysis can be presented as a list, in free text, or, most commonly, in a 4-cell table with separate sections for each element. Typically, strengths and weaknesses are listed first, followed by opportunities and threats. 

Why Is SWOT Analysis Used? 

SWOT analysis serves the purpose of strategically identifying areas for improvement or competitive advantages for a company. It not only assesses what a company does well but also looks at negative aspects. With this information, a company can make informed decisions to maintain its strengths, capitalise on its advantages, address weaknesses, and plan for potential future challenges. 

The Bottom Line 

A SWOT analysis is a valuable tool for guiding business strategy meetings. It enables a collaborative discussion where everyone in the room can share insights about the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. As the conversation unfolds, the initial SWOT analysis often evolves to incorporate factors that might have been missed without the group’s input. 

A company can employ a SWOT analysis for overall business strategy sessions or focus on specific segments like marketing, production, or sales. This approach allows you to see how the overarching strategy derived from the SWOT analysis applies to various features, ensuring alignment before full commitment. It can also work the other way around, where segment-specific SWOT analyses feed into an overarching SWOT analysis. 

However, it’s important to recognise that SWOT has its limitations. It should not be utilized in isolation because it is simply one of several methods for planning a business. Additionally, not all of the items listed under each category may be equally important. These issues cannot be prioritized using SWOT, hence a more thorough examination of alternative planning methods may be required. 

How PFOC Can Help Your Business Grow 

PFOC offers a range of services to support Business Development, including comprehensive accounting and Financial Consultancy. Our primary office in Johar Town, Lahore, provides practical and efficient support for all your accounting and financial needs. Our experienced team of tax and finance professionals at PFOC is dedicated to eliminating financial stress, enhancing the efficiency and profitability of business models, and ensuring compliance with current regulations. We help businesses thrive by providing the financial expertise and support they need to grow and succeed.