SWOT analysis Full Form

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. In this article, we have mentioned what SWOT analysis explains, the SWOT analysis of a company, and its importance. Refer to this article to get more information.

The full form of SWOT is Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It can also be written as TOWS – Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses, Strengths. The SWOT analysis of a company is done for environmental scanning; in other words, to identify the risks, threats, and upcoming opportunities and compare the company’s strengths and weaknesses with other companies. SWOT analysis evaluates both external and internal factors.

How to do a SWOT analysis of a company?

To do a SWOT analysis of the company, keep the following things in mind:-

  • Make a list of the strengths of the company – By doing this, the company would be able to know its strengths

  • Work on the weaknesses – A company needs to work on its weak areas; in other words, the factors hindering its growth

  • Foresee opportunities – Companies should be aware of the upcoming opportunities to benefit from those

  • Identifying the threats- Evaluating threats is very important. Thoroughly research the competitors and market conditions, trends and influences

Also, various SWOT analysts guide the companies and build their strong product lines

SWOT

Strength

Strength depicts the qualities of the company in which it excels and also the company’s strong point. The company’s strengths distinguish it from its competitors.

Let’s talk about the company’s strengths. It could be customers’ loyalty toward the company, mighty brand name, good turnover, unique products, high service level, good advertisements skills, attractive product packaging, good public relation, healthy relationship between employers and employees, good investors, goodwill in the market, etc.

For instance, an organisation has recently made changes in its strategy. The results are quite good; in other words, the organisation’s turnover has increased, so now, it must determine what to do to attract new investors.

Weaknesses

Strengths and weaknesses are said to be two internal factors of the company. There are many weaknesses in the companies that need to be analysed.

Weaknesses like a weak brand, poor goodwill, limited market share, high liability, lack of capital, no investors, debts, inadequate public relations, weak brand equity, no customer loyalty towards the brand or company, unhealthy employer-employee relations, strong existing competitors, etc., are some signs of weakness of the company. If these continue to exist, then it won’t be able to survive in this industry for an extended period. The organisation/brand needs to identify its weaknesses and solve them for better business growth.

Opportunities

Opportunities are the external factors that could be favourable for the company’s growth if used properly. Some of the opportunities are improving the overall customer experience, building brand awareness, demand for home delivery services, customer retention, good investors to increase the brand’s goodwill, etc.

Threats

Threats refer to something that is not favourable for the growth and success of the company, business or brand. Opportunities and threats are considered to be two external factors. As seen above, strength is a favourable internal factor, and weakness is an unfavourable internal factor. Similarly, opportunities are favourable external factors, while threats are considered unfavourable.

Some threats for the companies are an instant increase in the cost of raw materials, an increase in rivals/competitors, rising fixed costs, poor rating on review websites, low availability of labour, a decrease in demand, a shift of consumers to its rivals, declining economic conditions, etc.

SWOT table

Strengths

Weaknesses 

Opportunities 

Threats

Q1)

What are the strengths of the company/brand/organisation?

What are the weaknesses of the company?

What are the upcoming opportunities that help in the growth of the company?

To analyse which rival companies, factors can become a threat to the company?

Q2)

What resources does the company have to make it stronger than its rivals?

What are the factors or resources that the company is lacking?

Which technique or technology can be used to improve the company?

What are the new strategies or plans of the competitors?

Q3)

What are the products or strategies that are doing well?

What are the products or strategies that are not performing as expected?

Which strategies are to be made to analyse the correct opportunities?

What are the changing preferences of customers?

Q4)

What more to add to enhance the strength of the company?

What changes are needed to turn the company’s weakness into a strength?

Which new industry market can be explored?

What new rules and regulations are imposed by the government on the industry?

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained what SWOT analysis of a company is. Moreover, there is a brief discussion about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a company, brand, organisation or enterprise.

SWOT analysis evaluates all these things to help the company grow and succeed. We have also discussed what factors the company or SWOT analysts should consider before identifying various internal and external aspects.

 
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Frequently asked questions

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What does SWOT analysis explain?

Answer: SWOT analysis examines internal and external factors and charts the company’s strengt...Read full

What is the importance of SWOT analysis?

Answer: SWOT analysis plays an important role in the growth and development of a company. By knowin...Read full

How is SWOT analysis done?

Answer: SWOT analysis is a procedure for analysing a business’s risk, threats, rivals, achiev...Read full

Is SWOT an external or internal analysis?

Answer: SWOT includes both external and internal factors. The internal factors in a company are its...Read full