Free SWOT Analysis Examples

admin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:58:25 +0000

Looking for some free SWOT analysis examples to use?

Well, depending on your purpose, the free examples may or may not be relevant to you. One of the most important reasons to analyze a market, a business or a project or process within the business is to come up with information that allows you to make the best possible decision.

Feel free to keep reading for some more details, or just check out some free SWOT analysis examples now.

What is a SWOT Analysis For?

A SWOT analysis–strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats-–is a very useful way to evaluate a variety of business issues. It’s a good method because it helps you take a disciplined approach to collecting and organizing information, weighing the information and making decisions based upon what you see. A SWOT analysis is also easy to share with others, such as your advisors, to see if they reach the same conclusions with the information.

Two common approaches to SWOT are to treat the variables a little differently. Marketers tend to look at strengths and weaknesses as internal and opportunities and threats as external. Others sometimes differentiate SW and OT on a current state/future state basis – opportunities are good things that don’t exist today but can in the future.

Either use of the SWOT analysis framework is fine if it improves your decision-making and communication results.

There are many templates and free SWOT analysis examples available on the internet. Two others that are helpful are: WikiSWOT, this SWOT Analysis Template from BusinessBalls.com, and MarketingTeacher.com.

Whichever template you use, keep in mind that you should customize it to your specific need. There is no one-size-fits all in evaluating your business needs.

Suggestions to help you get the most from your own SWOT analysis:

If you’re not comfortable with or don’t feel you have enough experience performing a SWOT analysis, try reviewing free SWOT analysis examples to get the hang of it. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do it but understand that it’s important for your business, ask me for help.

Start with a good checklist that includes the key success factors for your business and then ask your advisors and key team members what other variables should be considered. As one of my business professors said many years ago (and still haunts me to this day), its what you don’t think of that gets you!

Right-size the work: a SWOT analysis can include a few key variables or be extensive. Generally speaking, the more at stake, the better to be more thorough.

Conduct adequate research on your industry, competitors and market. You may or may not have a thorough understanding of market conditions and trends, your industry and your most direct competitors but you would benefit greatly from developing the best possible understanding. You may even find free SWOT analysis examples using your competitors!

Whenever possible, try to use data as the basis for determining if something is a strength or weakness. If your competitors capture $500 on an average sales and you average $50 for the same product, that is probably a weakness.

Once you have the SWOT analysis completed, before you draw conclusions and make important decisions, prioritize every item by calculating its expected value. An items expected value is equal to its estimated $ lifetime value x the probability of it occuring. I.e. if the Threat of a large competitor entering your market has an impact of $(1,000,000) on your business and there is a 50% probability of that happening, then that Threat has an expected value of $(500,000). The reason for doing this is to help you keep things in perspective – don’t treat small items as equal to really big ones. If this method strikes you as overkill, then simply do fast comparative calculations in your head and apply them.

While free SWOT analysis examples may be a good starting point, a well conducted SWOT analysis will help you make better business decisions. It’s a great tool to use in a variety of situations.

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SWOT Analysis of Tata Motors

admin — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:16:38 +0000

Here’s how the following SWOT Analysis of Tata Motors came to be:

With the bailout of General Motors underway I’ve been doing some research on other automakers to see if there are any interesting stories out there. Tata Motors is a manufacturer that is relatively unknown in the U.S. yet has a compelling story. And a SWOT analysis of Tata Motors offers lessons for every business owner.

More than 800 million automobiles and light trucks are on the road worldwide with more than 70 million new vehicles sold in 2008. Tata Motors, founded in 1945, ranked 19th in global production with 798,265 vehicles. India, as a region, is experiencing one of the highest growth rates in the world.

Tata has been actively acquiring and joint venturing with other companies during the past five years. The purchase of Daewoo Commercial Vehicles (2004), a minority investment in Spanish bus and coach manufacturer Hispano Carrocera (2005), an alliance with Fiat, a joint venture with Brazilian bus and coach manufacturer Marcopolo and with Thailand’s Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Company (2006).

2008 heralded two major events: the purchase of Britain’s icons Jaguar Land Rover and the launch of the Tata Nano, the “People’s Car” for 100,000 rupees or approximately $2,100. Seating 4, the Nano is a mere 10 feet long and has a 4 gallon fuel tank. These events have given Tata Motors its “15 seconds of fame” or … will we see more?

Here is my SWOT Analysis of Tata Motors

Strengths

The Nano is Tata’s iPod. Great engineering and design in a rules-breaking product that has generated global awareness and admiration

The brand is very well established in the economy segment

Tata’s management is strengthened by the collective experience of its partners and acquired companies – this includes general management, marketing, sales and operations

Tata’s buying power is enhanced and leveraged through its size

Tata is making smart acquisition and partnering decisions so far. Local management teams remain in place vs. installing Tata leaders from afar. 1+1 = 3 seems to be working so far

Weaknesses

Tata Motors is not well positioned in the luxury segment. This is not a problem during recessionary times but a lack of diversification can hurt during better times

Most of the automobiles Tata manufactures are based on older platforms

The Company’s manufacturing practices trail competitors

Opportunities

The Nano could sell well in other geographic markets. Expanding markets such as China may find the Nano just the answer

Jaguar and Land Rover provide Tata with an opportunity to establish itself in the luxury segment

Threats

Powerful competitors for the luxury market including Honda, Toyota, Ford and Mercedes-Benz are beginning to push into the Indian market

Tata’s competitive price advantage will be under pressure as environmental regulations are tightened

Rising material costs will create pressure to increase prices

There is a trending rise in diesel fuel costs which will hurt Tata’s line of products

One of the conclusions I’ve reached in my SWOT analysis of Tata Motors is that the company has done of a very good job in the past five years of strengthening its position in the market. It appears to have an excellent opportunity for future success but like all businesses, faces significant challenges.

How far can Tata take the Nano? It will be an interesting story to follow!

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