Strategic Analysis This is a term often used with an assumption that the people hearing it understand its meaning.Strategic Analysis is said to be: ‘… the process of conducting research on the business environment within which an organisation operates and on the organisation itself, in order to formulate strategy.’ BNET Business Dictionary What is meant by the term "strategic analysis" differs from academic to academic and business o business, however there are some common factors. These … [Read more...] about Strategic Analysis
Marketing plan for a training company
How to develop a marketing plan for your training company What is a marketing plan? A Marketing Plan is sometimes called a marketing strategy, in essence it is an action plan of what it is you are going to do to promote your business. Like any SMART goal it is a written plan that states the marketing goals and the objectives to be achieved over a specified period of time.So if you are currently in business or looking to set up a training company or starting out in freelance training, the … [Read more...] about Marketing plan for a training company
Hidden Dangers of 25% budget cuts
In tough times we need to make tough decisions How to cut 25% budget without spiting your face.With public sector organisations all over the UK (and others) facing mandatory cuts of 25% budget cuts across the board, many are going to make mistakes they will live to regret.Whether we like it or not the target has been set. The goal for leaders now is to make appropriate cuts.A couple of weeks ago I ran a leadership and change management programme for a group of senior leaders in … [Read more...] about Hidden Dangers of 25% budget cuts
5 common mistakes in doing a SWOT analysis
The SWOT analysis is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in business. It's four simple perspectives provide a framework which is easy to follow and yet the tool is so often misunderstood. Why do so many people make these common 5 mistakes in SWOT analysis implementations?Lets remind ourselves what this is - SWOT = Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.The Strengths and Weaknesses are internal factors. The opportunities and threats are external factors.Some … [Read more...] about 5 common mistakes in doing a SWOT analysis
PRIMO-F Model for Business Development
PRIMO-F the Business Growth Model Often in organizations we use a SWOT analysis as a way of identifying priorities and areas for improvement. While theSWOT is a wonderfully flexible tool, it is too easy to miss out key elements. We tend to use a SWOT based on our experiences, rather than the actual situational needs.As SWOT analysis is made up of two internal elements (SW) and two external elements (OT) it is helpful to use a structure to give us a guide for what should be … [Read more...] about PRIMO-F Model for Business Development
SWOT Analysis for Education, Schools, Colleges and Universities
SWOT analysis for schools, teachers and education, colleges and universities - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in an educational environment.A SWOT analysis for schools is a tool that can provide prompts to the governors, management teachers and staff involved in the study of what is practical and less effective in the schools' systems and procedures — often used in preparation for a plan of some form (that could be an audit, assessments, quality checks etc.).A SWOT can … [Read more...] about SWOT Analysis for Education, Schools, Colleges and Universities
Internal and External Factors that impact the employment relationship
The employment relationship between the employer and employee can often be dynamic. There are many internal and external factors that impact the employment relationship. The environment in which we operate is in constant change or flux. To develop effective employee engagement, leadership and Human Resources teams need to be aware of the factors that can impact the relationship. What is the employment relationship? According to the ILO:The employment relationship is the legal link between … [Read more...] about Internal and External Factors that impact the employment relationship
DEEPLIST Analysis – marketing acronym
DEEPLIST analysis – an alternative to the PESTLE analysis Is DEEPLIST better than PEST or PESTLE? or more of the same?DEEPLIST - Demographic, Economic, Ecologic/ Environmental, Political, Legal, Informational, Social and TechnologyIn 2000 Paul N Finlay had a book published called “Strategic management: an introduction to business and corporate strategy”. In this book Finlay used the Acronym DEEPLIST as a way of prompting readers of the key areas that needed to be explored when looking at … [Read more...] about DEEPLIST Analysis – marketing acronym
Strategic development: Are we missing the point?
Strategic development: Are we missing the point?As developers, consultants and change agents, we often talk about strategic programmes and actions, but are we taking the appropriate first steps?This article looks at the steps we take and explores if we can be more strategic and add more value. IntroductionOften we know where we want to get to, or at least have a good idea, but often as the old saying goes: “If I was going there, I would not start from here.”That is a very logical … [Read more...] about Strategic development: Are we missing the point?
SWOT or SOAR? – Strategy and tools in business
Strategy and tools in business - To SWOT or SOAR? Over the years a lot of good and bad things have been said by many HR and consulting practitioners about the SWOT analysis. Certainly it is not the most robust of tools in its basic form. But when used in the way it was originally developed, it is a powerful methodology and framework. Some people have argued that it is time to move on from the SWOT analysis to other tools and techniques. In this piece we explore SOAR an Appreciative Inquiry … [Read more...] about SWOT or SOAR? – Strategy and tools in business
5 common mistakes in doing a PESTLE analysis
The PEST or PESTLE analysis is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in marketing and business planning. Its six basic perspectives provide a framework for understanding external factors which may impact the organization, which is easy to follow and yet the tool is so often misunderstood.PESTLE - Political, Economic, Sociological, Ecological, Legal, Environmental.PESTLE provides the external perspective to a SWOT analysis...where: PESTLE + PRIMO-F = SWOT Six simple rules for … [Read more...] about 5 common mistakes in doing a PESTLE analysis
PESTLE Analysis for Schools or Education
A PESTLE analysis is a tool that can provide prompts to the governors, management and staff involved in the analysis of the changes in the school's environment that could impact future finance, planning and management decisions. It can enable them carry out a more comprehensive analysis. A PESTLE is usually used in commercial organisations as a part of the strategic development of a business and marketing plan, however a PESTLE analysis can be used as part of identifying the opportunities and … [Read more...] about PESTLE Analysis for Schools or Education
Writing academic reports and references
Writing academic reports and references Often I am asked about the references for some of the pieces I have written about on this site, for example SWOT, PESTLE & SMART, so I thought it was about time to provide an answer here rather than just in person.Unfortunately writing a reference for some of these is not as easy to answer as you may believe.The Harvard (and other referencing systems) were developed for the use of academic material. On this and other more popular management … [Read more...] about Writing academic reports and references
SWOT analysis (TOWS matrix) Made Simple
SWOT Analysis Made Simple - History, Definition, Tools, Templates & WorksheetsHow to do a SWOT analysis SWOT analysis made simple - date reviewed April 2016This page has been developed to help you to carry out a SWOT or TOWS analysis. It can be used for strategic planning or business review purposes. This page is comprehensive. It contains many examples, templates and outlines. Go straight to the free Templates (below) Template 2 Template 3 Template 4 Page Contents (there is a … [Read more...] about SWOT analysis (TOWS matrix) Made Simple
swot pestle template
SWOT Analysis and PESTLE Analysis Templates Welcome to the RapidBI web site. To support the official CIPD fact sheets, this page contains two templates for you to use as part of your SWOT or PESTLE analysis. Remember to add the fact sheets and this site to your references. Jump down to the SWOT analysis template Jump down to the PESTLE analysis template Jump down to CPP project and assignment guide The SWOT analysis. The SWOT analysis is a great framework to explore the advantages and … [Read more...] about swot pestle template
SWOT analysis
SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis is an effective planning tool used to understand the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business. It usually involves specifying the objective of the business or project and identifying the internal and external factors that are supportive or unfavourable to achieving that objective. A SWOT analysis is often used as part of a strategic planning process. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, … [Read more...] about SWOT analysis
You reap WHAT you sow – what does this mean in marketing?
Social media marketing - tips for success in 2010 Read my 9 top tips for social media marketing below.As entrepreneurs and smaller businesses marketing is a vital yet difficult concept for many of us. Many of us hate it and want to find the "quick fix".What prompted me to write this article was receipt this morning of a 'newsletter' I get that goes straight to my junk mail. It is from Kenneth Yu "the Puppet Master" (take care with his sites as they take a lot of processing power and clever … [Read more...] about You reap WHAT you sow – what does this mean in marketing?
PPCO and SWOT
PPCO, What it is & its relationship to SWOT analysis We all know what the letters in SWOTanalysis stand for, but what about PPCO? they are: Pluses, Potential, Concerns (Fears) & Overcomes Concerns (or Options/ Opportunities)Recently on twitter, having posted a tweet about SWOT, I was asked about PPCO. I had heard of it but had not done much research on it, or its applications or history.A simple Internet search will bring up a wide variety of options for this model. It is one … [Read more...] about PPCO and SWOT
SWOT Analysis Assignment – the basics & method
SWOT Analysis Assignment - the basicsWhat is a SWOT analysis?In simple terms a SWOT is a look at the factors and influences which may be considered a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity or Threat to an organization, its mission or goal or its current business plan/ objective.Assignments on SWOT & BusinessWhen studying management, marketing, business or human resources, it is not uncommon to be asked to complete a SWOT analysis assignment. What often makes this difficult is … [Read more...] about SWOT Analysis Assignment – the basics & method
History of the SWOT analysis
History of the SWOT Analysis In recent years I have become rather obsessed with the history and origins of the SWOT, along with PESTLE & SMART.As the months have gone on I have identified much of the history of SWOT analysis and found may sites which appear to have credible sources - however when one 'delves deeper' often the data is clouded, indeed whenever I read of a source I attempted to buy the original book - so have amassed a large collection of old management books.For example, … [Read more...] about History of the SWOT analysis
