SWOT Analysis

Subject: Business Environment in Nepal

Overview

SWOT Analysis is the most renowned tool and useful technique for audit and analysis of the overall strategic position, objectives and all the factors for a related project defined clearly and properly identified of the business and its environment. SWOT is an abbreviation for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats are identified by managers in an organization. -Strengths in SWOT analysis are the qualities and the attributes within an organization that enables us to accomplish and for the ultimate success. Weaknesses in an organization are the qualities that prevent us from accomplishing our mission and achieving our full potential that could prevent successful results within an organization. Opportunities are presented and classified as external foundations by the environment within which our organization operates that might be helpful in achieving the goals set for the organization. Threats are external factors which arise when conditions jeopardize the trustworthiness, reliability, and profitability of the organization's business. 

Managers in an organization identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT), which is an acronym. Strengths (S) and Weaknesses (W) by definition comprise both internal and external factors that are thought to have the ability to affect a project's or venture's performance but over which there is basically no control.

It is the most well-known tool and practical method for auditing and analyzing the overall strategic position, goals, and every aspect of a linked project that has been precisely and accurately stated of the organization and its surroundings. Its primary goal is to pinpoint the strategies that will provide a solid, unique business model that will best match an organization's assets and competencies to the demands of the environment in which the firm works.

In other words, it serves as the basis for figuring out your strengths and weaknesses, gauging your own potential and limitations, and spotting prospective possibilities and threats from the outside world. It considers all internal and external factors—both positive and negative—that have an impact on the company's development and helps identify opportunities that are well-positioned to be taken advantage of. The environment in which the company operates must be continuously studied in order to forecast and predict changing trends as well as to incorporate them into the organization's administrative procedures. Examples of this include potential strengths, effective technology, surplus cash, reputation, strong market shares, well-known brand names, etc.

Below it is an overview of the four factors (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats):

Strengths:

Strengths in a SWOT analysis are the characteristics and elements of an organization that help us carry out and ultimately succeed in the mission of the organization. These serve as the foundation upon which future success can be produced, acquired, or accomplished.

Strengths can be both tangible and intangible, and a business will frequently analyze them internally. These are the characteristics and attributes that personnel possess (both individually and as a team) and the distinctive elements that give the company its consistency and dependability.

Strengths are the positive characteristics of a company or its capabilities that can be exploited to its advantage in the marketplace. These characteristics include human skills, process capabilities, financial resources, goods and services, customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty. Huge financial resources, a diverse product offering, a lack of debt, devoted personnel, etc. are some examples of organizational strengths.

Strengths:

  • What advantages does the company have?
  • What kind of superior has an organization?
  • Premier brand
  • Placement of an organization in a strategic way
  • Good interpersonal relationships with customers or customer loyalty
  • Special Selling Point (USP)
  • Put an emphasis on research and development
  • Monetary stock
  • Technical expertise
  • Customers-focused vision

The company should be realistic about its strengths from both an internal and a customer's standpoint in order to establish a reputation in the market. When considering the strengths, consider them in respect to the competition, and some of these will, optimistically, be strengths. One of the strengths of an organization that demands a lot of work experience is the ability to successfully learn new things on one's own initiative and with passion.

Weaknesses:

The characteristics that restrict us from fulfilling our mission and reaching our full potential are considered weaknesses in an organization and could thwart good outcomes inside one. These flaws have negative effects on the development and success of the organization. Weaknesses include elements that do not meet the standards when we feel they should, such as excessive departmental rivalry, a poor internal communication system, a lack of funding and insufficient supplies, depreciating machinery, a lack of research and development resources, a limited selection of products, poor decision-making, etc. It is controlled and has to be reduced or eradicated.

For instance, new equipment can be purchased to replace outdated equipment. Large debts, a convoluted decision-making process, a limited product line, a weak brand in the marketplace, significant raw material waste, a poor reputation, etc. are more instances of organizational problems.

Weaknesses:

  • Lack of resources with highly technical abilities
  • Poor brands
  • Poor distribution capabilities
  • Inadequate interpersonal ties with clients and staff
  • Inadequate products or services
  • Lack of knowledge, expertise, research, and other factors, including financial aspects
  • Dependability and faith
  • Made a really conservative choice
  • Inappropriate use of resources
  • A lack of communication and infrastructure

Opportunities:

The environment in which our business operates presents possibilities and categorizes them as external foundations that might be useful in reaching the objectives specified for the organization. These occur when an organization can take advantage of external factors, such as dealers who want to work with it to help it succeed, the public's positive perception of the company, and market conditions that might make it appealing to a certain segment of the market, to plan and carry out strategies that allow it to increase its profitability. Utilizing opportunities, organizations can quickly gain a competitive advantage.

Organizations should exercise caution, recognize opportunities, and seize them when they present themselves. It is challenging to choose the aims that will benefit the clients and get the required results. Opportunities can come from a variety of sources, including the introduction of new technologies, market competition, unmet customer needs, enrolling in a commercial course, business/government, and technology. Deregulation and rising demand for broadcasts present a fantastic opportunity for new businesses to enter the telecom sector and compete with established companies for customers.

Opportunities:

  • Opportunities that can be seen as good
  • Consumers' tastes and preferences are evolving
  • Market liberalization in certain areas
  • Technical developments
  • Government policy changes
  • Lowered individual taxes
  • Fresh distribution avenues
  • Big, rapidly expanding market
  • Constant technological progress
  • Strategic partnerships and acquisitions
  • Expand the company's horizons
  • Be more efficient, convenient, and quicker
  • Development of new technologies
  • Changes in markets and technology, both broadly and specifically
  • Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, and other changes in government policy that are relevant to your field.
  • Local events.

Threats:

Threats are outside forces that appear when circumstances endanger the organization's ability to conduct business with integrity, dependability, and profitability. They combine the vulnerability when they discuss the flaws, which include a poor reputation, the absence of a market for the finished product, and the scarcity of suppliers of raw materials for the company. Threats cannot be stopped. When a threat appears, survival and firmness may be at jeopardy. Threats include things like employee unrest, constantly evolving technology, increased rivalry that results in surplus capacity, pricing wars, and declining industry profitability, etc.

Threats:

  • Varying revenue streams
  • Loss of partnerships and connections
  • Significant contract losses
  • A rise in prices
  • Advancing technical developments

References:

  • books.google.com/books?isbn=0557599806
  • lib.tpu.ru/fulltext/c/2012/C23/V2/177.pdf
  • managementstudyguide.com/swot-analysis.htm
  • webs.anokaramsey.edu/widdel/ftp/B1101-30/SWOT Handout.pdf
Things to remember
  • Weaknesses depreciate effects on the organizational success and growth.
  • Threats are uncontrollable. 
  • Opportunities are presented and classified as external foundations by the environment.
  • Strengths can be either tangible or intangible which are often internal analysis to an organization.
  • SWOT is an abbreviation for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

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