A SWOT analysis continues to be a valuable technique for better understanding the Strengths and Weaknesses of your business, and for identifying potential Opportunities and Threats.  At whatever stage your business is in, a well-executed SWOT analysis can provide you with the insights you need to craft a coherent and successful competitive position.  For start-up businesses, a SWOT analysis can help you figure out where you are and where you need to be in terms of preparing your business development plan.  For those with established businesses, the SWOT analysis can be a tool that you can use over and over again to explore new opportunities and improve your overall decision making process.

Whether you are facing a major business decision, or are embarking on strategic planning for the coming year, a SWOT analysis enables you to look at things from all angles – taking into consideration both internal and external factors.  By taking a formalized look at areas in which your business in performing well in, as well as areas where you need work, a SWOT analysis can help you uncover vital information that will not only help your business in the short term, but can be a critical tool in planning for your company’s future.

Before you embark on your next (or perhaps even first) SWOT analysis, following are some key points to keep in mind:

Why is a SWOT analysis so important for my business?

Performing a SWOT analysis helps you thoroughly understand your business by presenting a viewpoint of the company’s internal and external operations from a new angle. It helps you understand your business better, forces you to address your weaknesses, deter threats, capitalize on opportunities and develop business goals and strategies to achieve them.

When should I perform a SWOT?

I always suggest clients perform a SWOT analysis every 6 to 12 months, whenever a significant decision is being made, or there a new external threat looming that may impact your business.

As you consider your analysis, be open to the possibilities that exist within a weakness or a threat. You can then counter them with a robust set of strategies that build upon strengths and opportunities.

How do I perform a SWOT analysis?

The goal is to turn your weaknesses into strengths and your threats into opportunities.  

Here is a simple sample of what to ask yourself:

Additionally, when preparing for and performing a SWOT analysis, keep in mind these important points:

- Start defining internal factors first by being realistic about your own strengths and weaknesses

- Figure out where you are today, and where you WANT to be in the future

- Avoid grey areas – BE SPECIFIC

- Be realistic about your competition – are they doing a better job?

- Ask for feedback – from clients, from employees … and from others whose opinions you trust

- Brainstorm with others in your organization – not just top level employees

- Focus and prioritize on the important items

- Take action

Whether you are embarking on a SWOT analysis as part of your overall strategic planning for your company, to help you make a big business decision, or to analyze ways to improve operations, a SWOT analysis remains one of the most important tools for today’s CEOs and business owners.  As a CEO, a proper SWOT analysis can provide you with the all-important overview of your company that is needed as you plan for the future of your business – and, as a work in progress, can ensure that you continue to monitor your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats from year to year as you continue to grow your business.

Lucy Rosen is president of SmartMarketing Communications (www.smartmarketingcommunications.com ) , a national marketing, public relations and business development firm with offices in Bluffton, SC.   Lucy has been featured in hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles -- including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Working Mother and PINK Magazine -- and lectures nationally on the topics of Business Development, Public Relations, Starting Your Own Business and, of course, Networking.  Her business networking book, Fast Track Networking: Turning Conversations Into Contacts (Career Press, June 2010) is available in bookstores nationwide.  For more information about Lucy Rosen, visit www.smartmarketingcommunications.com.

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