Dear subscriber,

In this Series 2 – Get to know what consist in SWOT, you will get to know
some detail of S.W.O.T.As I have briefly pointed out in series-1, S.W.O.T.
is an abbreviation for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

So, what constitute these factors in our real life applications? As a general
guideline, these are the commonly known external and internal factors. For
which, the external factors consist of Opportunities and Threats, whereas,
the internal factors consist of Strengths and Weaknesses. How do you
differential between all the four factors.

To explain, let me illustration it with a situation as below:
Situation: company A is loosing market share over the last 1 year Using
S.W.O.T., you need to identify as many contributing elements pertaining
to “loosing market share” in accordance to the four factors. Of course, if
you perform the S.W.O.T. in a team, brainstorming tool is used.

Say, you are able to establish these elements, you need to categorized
them into the four S.W.O.T. listed below:-

Strengths

1. High product quality
2. wide marketing network
3. sound financial support

Weaknesses

1. slow in delivery
2. pricing is not competitive
3. product range is limited

Opportunities

1. strong market demand
2. increasing quality conscious end-user
3. Consolidation of small players

Threats

1. Rising raw material cost
2. Free import of goods from China
3. Price war among local supplier

In summary, with some basic understanding of S.W.O.T. Analysis, the chances
is for you to develop a strategy or solution to this above situation will be value
add to your organization.

Next, Your Series 3 article will be send to you within the next few days.

Please check your inbox

If you want to review the entire 5-series of SWOT Analysis, then click  5 series of SWOT Analysis Tutorial

Dear subscriber,

This series is about Wrapping up SWOT Analysis

It is time we do a recap of your 5 series Understanding of SWOT Analysis

Series 1 – Understand the concept of SWOT
You have learned some basic concept SWOT factors and SWOT Analysis.
This series would prepared you to have a fresh look at the SWOT
Analysis and it could be used in your work or personal life.

Series 2 – Get to know what consist in SWOT
This series would bring you into a deeper understanding of SWOT and
some of the elements or factors term within the boundary of SWOT.
It highlights some guidelines and examples of the external and internal factors.

Series 3 – SWOT Analysis as an essential tool in Strategic Planning
More understanding of the SWOT factors were discussed in this
series. it covers several examples of the four factors of SWOT.

Series 4 – How to use SWOT Analysis to formulate strategies
This is perhaps the most crucial steps in the SWOT Analysis. An example
demonstrated a football match scenario where you can relate how to
use the SWOT Analysis to formulate strategies.

Series 5 – Pro and Cons of using SWOT in Strategic Planning
Like in everything else, you have learn the Pros and Cons which are
the positive and negative aspect of SWOT in conjunction with a
Strategic Planning. Example for each was given.

In summary, this 5 series TQM Ezine for SWOT Analysis is an ideal
TQM knowledge in SWOT Analysis and how it could be used as part of
the Strategic Planning Process. When it is mastered, it can be
utilized in your own operation if you took a fresher look at your
own capabilities. It is a common tool that is guided by template
and example for ease of application.

Once you are comfortable with this basic understanding of SWOT
Analysis, you may start to put it into practice and explore the
power of it.

If you want to review the entire 5-series of SWOT Analysis, then click  5 series of SWOT Analysis Tutorial

As I may not have covered enough depth for your learning, You are
welcome to visit my TQM Case Studies and Articles Directory

This series conclude your 5-series TQM Ezine for SWOT Analysis. I
hope you enjoy the knowledge and seek you feedback for further
improvement. Please drop me a note to give me your comments at
dr.lmfoong@tqmcasestudies.com

All the best to you

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. L M Foong

p.s. If you like this article, why not share with your friends?
Invite them to join TQM Ezine Community

How to use SWOT Analysis to Formulate Strategies …

Taking that you have collected several data on the four factors of SWOT, what is next ? If may ask.

Well, the next obvious thing to do is to transform the data into strategy, but how?

Using the SWOT Matrix or TOWS Matrix, you will learn the concept of using SWOT Analysis to formulate a strategy. In order to make the illustration easier to understand, I use an example to make the explanation as follows:-

SWOT – Strengths

1. Good in article writing
2. understand various business model of Internet business

SWOT – Weaknesses

1. not able to get more traffic
2. loss focus

SWOT – Opportunities

1. JV opportunity for new Product launches
2. Internet user still growing strong

SWOT – Threats

1. Disappear from search engine page listing
2. Competitor take over page listing

With the prioritized data for the four SWOT factors, you can start to formulate strategy from them. But you are guided with the TWOS Matrix which is explained as below:-

Since there are Strengths – Weaknesses – Opportunities – Threats in the four factors and the fact that you have spend time to collect data based on them. You will use them to formulate strategy from them. Below is the template:-

Strength – Opportunities ( SO ) Strategy

What it asked for is to make use of one of your strength with one opportunity.  Now take

Strength – Good in article writing

Opportunity – JV opportunity for new Product launches

With the information above, how can you use your strength – Good in Article Writing with the Opportunity in “JV for new product launches” ?

In this case, you may write a good product review and post it to your blog , or send it out as email campaign as your strategy to ” “promote the to be launched product”

I know what you are thinking! You may say it is natural thing to do. And I must agree with you. But  then , do you have the strength of writing a good review page? if not, you cannot use this strategy because it may not work for you.

If you want to review the entire 5-series of SWOT Analysis, then click  5 series of SWOT Analysis Tutorial