WELCOME! This is the simple SWOT template for a small or micro business.
The template tab has the most common types of SWOT elements for a small or micro business.
They have been duplicated under the my_SWOT tab.
1. Read through the template items and familiarise yourself with the suggested elements.
2. Go to the my_SWOT tab and replace the suggested elements with those related to your business
You may delete some if they are not relevant to your business.
3. Once you have customised the suggested elements for your business, place a rank number
in the rank column beside each element in the STRENGTHS. Do the same for "W", "O" and "T"
4. Highlight all the Strenghts and their corresponding rankings.
5. Choose sort from the "data" menu. Sort the Strengths by column A (the ranking)
6. Do steps 4 and 5 for Weaknesses (sorting by column C, the ranking for Weaknesses)
7. Do steps 4 and 5 for Opportunities (sorting by column E, the ranking for Opportunities)
8. Do steps 4 and 5 for Threats (sorting by Column G, the ranking for Threats)
9. Copy the ranked SWOT elements into your TOWS matrix.
10. Celebrate! You have now completed an important part of the business planning process.
KAIZEN COACHING | ABN 25 920 584 264 | PO BOX 741 SYDNEY 1043 | Tel 0500 524 936
SWOT ANALYSIS TEMPLATE - typical elements for a small/micro business
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
your personality lack financial skills market niche/gap lack of contacts/leads
experience in industry lack business skills low int rates/dollar not meeting demands
established contacts lack marketing/selling government programs closing niche
communication skills lack financial resources government legislation legislation changes
life experience doubt (lack of belief) repeat business info/technology
relevant skills lack of experience in industry trend/demand (existing or developing) competitors
belief/confidence in idea barriers (looks, gender, age) business associations bad advice (legal, tax…)
point of difference lack of differentiation (product, price) alliances climate/demographics
good manager business hours events (y2k, olympics) large established competitor
alternative/other income need for special property training (technology) espionage
indecision cost of money
complacency (lackproaction)
bad debts, publicity
customer beliefs
KAIZEN COACHING | ABN 25 920 584 264 | PO BOX 741 SYDNEY 1043 | Tel 0500 524 936
Common Strategies - combinations to consider
Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat
belief product dev
belief mkt niche
belief broad cust base
low setup product dev
skills product dev
pt diff mkt niche
pt diff broad cust base
pt diff tax breaks
belief do it in house
low setup weak economy
skills taste change
pt diff do it in house
better quality competitors
proven perform substitutes
better quality need for product
product range need for product
proven perform need for product
lack $ skill govt assist
few contacts broad cust base
lack $ skill weak economy
lack industry exp weak economy
lack industry exp govt changes
few contacts competitors
unknown brand need for product
capital (lack) need for product
Strategy
flexible product - develop as you go
market to that niche - play on strength
create angles for niche
flexible product - develop/create easily
match product to client, lower dev costs
market using point of difference
brand awareness through pt of difference
rare but worth investigating
flexibility is more useful to client than substitution
save money by low setup costs
predict and overcome
cant do it as well themselves - "need" you
"original and best"
better product, better performance
if you are going to buy xyz, get the best
angle of choice - why select from our range
trade from history/experience
courses like BEC, subsidy
referrals - customers know other potential customers
no room for mistakes - hire expertise
opportunity for alliances
be proactive, also a chance to help others
investigate opportunities
entice customers to switch
alliances
MY SWOT ANALYSIS: (business name)
rank STRENGTHS rank WEAKNESSES
your personality lack financial skills
experience in industry lack business skills
established contacts lack marketing/selling
communication skills lack financial resources
life experience doubt (lack of belief)
relevant skills lack of experience in industry
belief/confidence in idea barriers (looks, gender, age)
point of difference lack of differentiation (product, price)
good manager business hours
alternative/other income need for special property
indecision
KAIZEN COACHING | ABN 25 920 584 264 | PO BOX 741 SYDNEY 1043 | Tel 0500 524 936
rank OPPORTUNITIES rank THREATS
market niche/gap lack of contacts/leads
low int rates/dollar not meeting demands
government programs closing niche
government legislation legislation changes
repeat business info/technology
trend/demand (existing or developing) competitors
business associations bad advice (legal, tax…)
alliances climate/demographics
events (y2k, olympics) large established competitor
training (technology) espionage
cost of money
complacency (lackproaction)
bad debts, publicity
customer beliefs
KAIZEN COACHING | ABN 25 920 584 264 | PO BOX 741 SYDNEY 1043 | Tel 0500 524 936