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 your personality experience in industry established contacts communication skills life experience relevant skills belief/confidence in idea point of difference good manager alternative/other income WEAKNESSES lack financial skills lack business skills lack marketing/selling lack financial resources doubt (lack of belief) lack of experience in industry barriers (looks, gender, age) lack of differentiation (product, price) business hours need for special property indecision OPPORTUNITIES market niche/gap low int rates/dollar government programs government legislation repeat business trend/demand (existing or developing) business associations alliances events (y2k, olympics) training (technology) THREATS lack of contacts/leads not meeting demands closing niche legislation changes info/technology competitors bad advice (legal, tax) climate/demographics large established competitor 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

Common Strategies - combinations to consider

Strength belief belief belief low setup skills pt diff pt diff pt diff belief low setup skills pt diff better quality proven perform better quality product range proven perform Weakness Opportunity product dev mkt niche broad cust base product dev product dev mkt niche broad cust base tax breaks do it in house weak economy taste change do it in house competitors substitutes need for product need for product need for product lack $ skill govt assist few contacts broad cust base lack $ skill lack industry exp lack industry exp few contacts unknown brand capital (lack) Threat

weak economy weak economy govt changes competitors need for product 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 your personality experience in industry established contacts communication skills life experience relevant skills belief/confidence in idea point of difference good manager alternative/other income rank WEAKNESSES lack financial skills lack business skills lack marketing/selling lack financial resources doubt (lack of belief) lack of experience in industry barriers (looks, gender, age) lack of differentiation (product, price) business hours need for special property indecision

KAIZEN COACHING | ABN 25 920 584 264 | PO BOX 741 SYDNEY 1043 | Tel 0500 524 936

rank OPPORTUNITIES market niche/gap low int rates/dollar government programs government legislation repeat business trend/demand (existing or developing) business associations alliances events (y2k, olympics) training (technology)

rank

THREATS lack of contacts/leads not meeting demands closing niche legislation changes info/technology competitors bad advice (legal, tax) climate/demographics large established competitor 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