The SWOT Analysis Activity(1)

SWOT Analysis Activity

Consider one of the following when completing your own SWOT analysis:

· The organization or workgroup/team in which you currently work

· A previous organization or workgroup/team where you worked in the past

· An organization or workgroup/team where a friend or family member who is able and willing to work with you to complete the SWOT analysis

With one of the above in mind complete an individual SWOT analysis based on your experience or that of a family member/friend.

To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Use the matrix on the next page to compile strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

2. Rank the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that you identified in the matrix in a separate list.

3. Develop a training goal based on highest ranked (most important) need identified in each of the four areas.

Use the worksheet below.

STEP 1A: Organization/Group/Team (provide a brief description below):

STEP 1B: Complete the matrix below.

	Strengths	Weaknesses
Internal	· good customer service · strong team capability · creative solutions · quality products · reliable team · up-to-date technology	· prices · disorganized · not disciplined when working alone · location
	Opportunities	Threats
External	· new merchandise development · wide-range of customers · additional income streams · new designer opportunity	· new competitors · current competitors · lack of style · competitor prices drop · seasonally · economy · key staff/management leaving

STEP 2: Rank Order

(list in order starting with the most important/critical on top for each area)

Strengths 

great customer service

reliable team

strong team capability

creative solutions

quality products

up-to-date technology

Weaknesses

disorganized

not disciplined when working alone

prices

location

Opportunities

new merchandise development

wide-range of customers

additional income streams

new designer opportunity

Threats

key staff/management leaving

current competitors

new competitors

competitor prices drop

seasonally

economy

lack of current style

STEP 3: Identify Training Goal

Strength

Greatest strength identified:  great customer service

Affiliated training goal: to ensure customers have what they need, enjoy the store and leave happy with new clothes.

Weakness

Greatest weakness identified: disorganized

Affiliated training goal: to overcome clutter issues, become more creative and have specific places for everything in the store that all staff must follow, make sure staff in informed on where everything should be at all times.

Opportunity

Greatest opportunity identified: new merchandise opportunity

Affiliated training goal: to have staff use their everyday, personal lives to create demand fashion and use the various up-to-date technology to find new designers and inspirations.

Threat

Greatest threat identified: key staff/management leaving

Affiliated training goal: make more opportunity for those who work hard and who's hard work shows so they do not want to leave.