Peterka

Using SWOT Analysis as a tool to formulate Strategy is one of the most effective tool in Strategic Planning. It is a factual analysis due to its extensive data collection and analysis of the data collected. It is effective because the analysis covers a wide spectrum of business environment during data collection. Its takes into consideration external business environment as well as internal capabilities.

This is perhaps the most powerful usage of SWOT Analysis in the Strategic Planning Process. I am going to show you how to used the four factors of SWOT to develop Strategies

Assuming you have collected several data pertaining to the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Then you will use them to formulate strategy. Not sure how to do it? Don't worry, I take you through the steps.

Step 1 - Evaluate the surrounding

Let's take a moment to think about both of us as the coach for two teams of football teams.

Before the game starts, you and I have certain strategies that we want the team to follow. As the game progresses, there is sign of difference between the two teams in terms of the game as well as the condition of the team members.

Step 2 - Identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Now, it is time to evaluate the teams in the four factors of SWOT. Lets take the following examples as the result of the evaluation:-

Strengths - Your team is full of fighting spirit

Weaknesses -- One of your team members is hurt

Opportunities -- Your opposition team seems to loose stamina

Threats -- Your opposition team is full of energy

Note: Some of these factors seem to be conflicting each other. For the purpose of this step, this conflict is ignored.

Step 3 - Pair the SWOT factors to formulate strategies

Now, you would start to formulate strategies in the four categories. Namely:-

• SO Strategies (Strengths and Opportunities Strategy )
• ST Strategies (Strengths and Threats Strategy )
• WO Strategies (Weaknesses and Opportunities Strategy )
• WT Strategies (Weaknesses and Threats Strategy )

In this case, your strength is " your team is full of fighting spirit " and paired with your opportunities is " Opposite team is loosing stamina" . With this scenario, what would you do? Perhaps you formulate a strategy to " ATTACK ". There it goes, you just formulate a attacking strategy.

Then you do the same procedure for SW Strategies, WO strategies and WT strategies.

Step 4 - Evaluate the strategic options

At the end of this paring of SWOT factors, you would have end up several strategic options. Do a quick evaluation of each of these strategies to the extent of meeting the company objectives.

Step 5 - Selecting Strategic Options

At this step, you would have a long list of strategic options. Too many strategies to implement may not be practical. Therefore, you need to shorten the list to perhaps maximum three strategies.

After you have completed all the 5 steps to use SWOT Analysis to Formulate Strategies, you have a list of strategies for you to implement to your business.

About the Author: Dr. LM Foong, PhD
He writes and publishes TQM articles, ebooks, case studies, trainer manual and presentation slides. Please Visit Resource Center in Total Quality Management for more TQM related topics

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Charity is perhaps the best aspect of humanity and is considered to be the perfect way to support the unfortunate. There are many types of natural and man-made evils in our society that befalls on many people leaving them in hapless condition. Fortunate are those who are blessed with all comforts and are protected from the evils. Understanding the essentials of helping the needy and the unfortunate by visiting the different charitable organization or acquiring knowledge from surfing net the blessed one can donate a small percentage of their income because the charitable organization runs holding the hands of the blessed one.

Unlike before, nowadays there are numerous charitable institutions across the globes that are working in different areas. People agreeing to donate to charity people may have different motives behind it. For instance there are those who contribute for the sake of human well-being and there are others who do it to earn identification and save tax. Whatever be the motives behind donation there is benefit on both the side. Charitable organization gets the resources to run the institution and the donor escapes taxation and enjoys the warm feeling of doing something good as a reward. Let us look over a few reasonable reasons that so many people give to charity.

1. For some giving to charity can be solely for personal reasons. The donor feels good or right to give to a charity. It is wonderful to do something that helps others and brightens both your days and such experiences cannot be described in words. It could be only be felt after doing.

2. Donating to charity could be due to professional reasons. For instance many businesses get involved in practicing charity as a team-building exercise for their employees that give good feelings to the employees about their company that truly cares about the community in which it resides and it plays as an added bonus in the reputation of the company.

3. Familial Reasons involves extending help to that charity that has some personal ties with you.

4. From financial viewpoint, giving to charity sounds sensible, as it is good way to escape taxation. It is suggested to consult your tax professional to do the entire paper work and formalities to meet the requirements for this deduction. 5. Another biggest reason to practice charity is to get their name to become famous. There are so many wealthy people who donate huge amount to charity just for name-dropping reasons. A structure being named for the givers is the solid proof.

One can say that charity is such a practice that you will never regret for what you have gave instead a sense of giving will grow gradually.

win a car - sms competition

Well, Ive been shopping again. I have been looking at a couple of trucks and I like the Nissan Titan. Its nice and has a lot of features. I am a Toyota fan and I do like the Tundra. Its based upon the Sequoia frame rather they share the same frame, so it rides nice. The 271hp V8 helps tote things around, too. With a 6800-pound towing capacity, even if you have the double cab, you still have room for the family and the camper and the boat and the gear . . .whew.

One of the neat things about the new trucks is style. When I opened the door, I was surrounded in leather. The DVD navigation system may be a bit much for my use, but the double cab had a rear seat DVD player that would be perfect for the kids. It also had a vertical sliding rear glass, just like my 4runner and Sequoia.

I cant decide if Id rather have the Access cab, or just go ahead and get the double cab. The access cab has almost a full size door opening up into the back seats, and I probably wont be hauling around any big adults in the back. Unless they wanted to watch the DVD player.

It may sound odd, but you can get a limited slip rear end on the 2 wheel drive models. It keeps the rear tire from spinning. . .well, one tire from spinning. Im sure with that monster engine, it wouldnt take much to get the tires smoking. The mechanical limited slip is an option all unto itself. As I discovered further, I think Id rather have the entire package of safety features. They are stability control, traction control, brake assist, fog lamps, running lights, and AUTOMATIC limited-slip rear differential. Sounds daunting, but Im sure this package would be worth it in the long run.

So, double cab? SR5 or Limited. Hmm. Step side? Not for me, but it is stylish looking. Id have to option mine up a bit to get the homelink, DVDs, Leather, and side curtain air bags if I do get the double cab.

Its a nice truck. Manly enough for me, but still soft enough the wife could drive it if I let her. If you get a chance, check them out, because Toyota did it right with the Tundra this year.

Stuart Simpson http://www.toyota-trucks-review.com http://www.nissan-trucks-review.com