...Using the TOWS Matrix Developing strategic options from an external-internal analysis © iStockphoto/travelinglight TOWS Analysis is a variant of the classic business tool, SWOT Analysis. TOWS and SWOT are acronyms for different arrangements of the words Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. By analyzing the external environment(threats and opportunities), and yourinternal environment (weaknesses and strengths), you can use these techniques to think about the strategy of your whole organization, a department or a team. You can also use them to think about a process, a marketing campaign, or even your own skills and experience. Our article on SWOT Analysis helps you perform a thorough SWOT/TOWS Analysis. At a practical level, the only difference between TOWS and SWOT is that TOWS emphasizes the external environment whilst SWOT emphasizes the internal environment. In both cases, this analysis results in a SWOT (or TOWS) Matrix like the one shown below: Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats | In this article, we look at how you can extend your use of SWOT and TOWS to think in detail about the strategic options open to you. While this approach can be used just as well with SWOT as TOWS, it's most often associated with TOWS. Identifying Strategic Options SWOT or TOWS analysis helps you get a better understanding of the strategic choices that you face. (Remember that "strategy" is the art of determining how you'll "win" in business and life...
Words: 919 - Pages: 4
... Click the “my career plan” tab on top of your page to view your populated career plan. Write a paper of no more than 350 words discussing the results of your Career Plan Building Activity: Reasoning Aptitude. What do your results tell you about your individual thinking style or your thought process range? How does knowing this information and your Competencies and Work culture Preferences help you to understand how work is done in teams? What adjustments can you make to your own teamwork style based on your Career Plan Building Activities? Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment. 2- Review the example SWOT Analyses located in this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings to see the types of information companies include. Complete the following tasks in the University of Phoenix Material: Organizational Planning Worksheet. Cite your resources. Part One (hand in early): Select a Fortune 500 company. You may start your research on this company in the Job Market Research Tool in Phoenix Career Services portal but additional research may be required. Identify the company’s internal and external stakeholders. Identify the company’s goals and identify the following, specifically: The company’s mission and vision At least one...
Words: 620 - Pages: 3
...Tows Analysis TOWS Analysis is a variant of the classic business tool, SWOT Analysis. TOWS and SWOT are acronyms for different arrangements of the words Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. By analyzing the external environment (threats and opportunities), and your internal environment (weaknesses and strengths), you can use these techniques to think about the strategy of your whole organization, a department or a team. You can also use them to think about a process, a marketing campaign, or even your own skills and experience. Our article on SWOT Analysis helps you perform a thorough SWOT/TOWS Analysis. At a practical level, the only difference between TOWS and SWOT is that TOWS emphasizes the external environment whilst SWOT emphasizes the internal environment. In both cases, this analysis results Identifying Strategic Options SWOT or TOWS analysis helps you get a better understanding of the strategic choices that you face. (Remember that "strategy" is the art of determining how you'll "win" in business and life.) It helps you ask, and answer, the following questions: How do you: * Make the most of your strengths? * Circumvent your weaknesses? * Capitalize on your opportunities? * Manage your threats? A next step of analysis, usually associated with the externally-focused TOWS Matrix, helps you think about the options that you could pursue. To do this you match external opportunities and threats with your internal strengths and weaknesses...
Words: 1884 - Pages: 8
... Click the “my career plan” tab on top of your page to view your populated career plan. Write a paper of no more than 350 words discussing the results of your Career Plan Building Activity: Reasoning Aptitude. What do your results tell you about your individual thinking style or your thought process range? How does knowing this information and your Competencies and Work culture Preferences help you to understand how work is done in teams? What adjustments can you make to your own teamwork style based on your Career Plan Building Activities? Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment. 2- Review the example SWOT Analyses located in this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings to see the types of information companies include. Complete the following tasks in the University of Phoenix Material: Organizational Planning Worksheet. Cite your resources. Part One (hand in early): Select a Fortune 500 company. You may start your research on this company in the Job Market Research Tool in Phoenix Career Services portal but additional research may be required. Identify the company’s internal and external stakeholders. Identify the company’s goals and identify the following, specifically: The...
Words: 1795 - Pages: 8
...Strategic Management: SWOT analysis’ advantages and disadvantages Decision-making and problem-solving techniques Strategic Management is defined as a set of managerial decisions and actions that determines the long-run performance of a corporation. It includes a variety of tools and analysis which help implement, evaluate and control the general strategy of a company. Strategy formulation begins with a situational analysis and it emphasises the monitoring and evaluating of external opportunities and threats in light of a corporation´s strengths and weaknesses (Wheelen and Hunger, 2006; Saloner et al., 2001). Objective The objective of this report is to describe, analyse and discuss advantages and disadvantages of a concept named SWOT which is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. These concepts are frequently used as tools for analyzing the external environment of an organisation as well as the internal factors that constitutes its structure (Wheelen and Hunger, 2006). History SWOT analysis came from a research conducted at Stanford Research Institute in the 1960´s. The creation of the SWOT analysis comes from the need to find out why corporate planning failed. The research was funded by the fortune 500 companies to find out what could be done about this. Albert Humphrey together with his team began testing this tool and it suddenly became a corporate planning trend, which seemed to appear first at Du Pont in 1949 (Morrison, 2009; Friesner...
Words: 2571 - Pages: 11
...swot analysis SWOT analysis method and examples, with free SWOT template The SWOT analysis is an extremely useful tool for understanding and decision-making for all sorts of situations in business and organizations. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Information about the origins and inventors of SWOT analysis is below. The SWOT analysis headings provide a good framework for reviewing strategy, position and direction of a company or business proposition, or any other idea. Completing a SWOT analysis is very simple, and is a good subject for workshop sessions. SWOT analysis also works well in brainstorming meetings. Use SWOT analysis for business planning, strategic planning, competitor evaluation, marketing, business and product development and research reports. You can also use SWOT analysis exercises for team building games. Note that SWOT analysis is often interpreted and used as a SWOT Analysis 2x2 Matrix, especially in business and marketing planning. In addition to this 2x2 matrix method, SWOT analysis is also a widely recognized method for gathering, structuring, presenting and reviewing extensive planning data within a larger business or project planning process. See also PEST analysis, which measures a business's market and potential according to external factors; Political, Economic, Social and Technological. It is often helpful to complete a PEST analysis prior to a SWOT analysis. In other situations it may be more useful...
Words: 2215 - Pages: 9
...SWOT Analysis is a useful technique for understanding your Strengths and Weaknesses, and for identifying both the Opportunities open to you and the Threats you face. Used in a business context, a SWOT Analysis helps you carve a sustainable niche in your market. Used in a personal context , it helps you develop your career in a way that takes best advantage of your talents, abilities and opportunities. This article looks at how to use SWOT in a business context. (Click here to learn how to do a Personal SWOT Analysis .) Business SWOT Analysis What makes SWOT particularly powerful is that, with a little thought, it can help you uncover opportunities that you are well placed to exploit. And by understanding the weaknesses of your business, you can manage and eliminate threats that would otherwise catch you unawares. More than this, by looking at yourself and your competitors using the SWOT framework, you can start to craft a strategy that helps you distinguish yourself from your competitors, so that you can compete successfully in your market. How to Use SWOT Analysis Originated by Albert S Humphrey in the 1960s, SWOT Analysis is as useful now as it was then. You can use it in two ways – as a simple icebreaker helping people get together to "kick off" strategy formulation, or in a more sophisticated way as a serious strategy tool. Tip: Strengths and weaknesses are often internal to your organization, while opportunities and threats generally...
Words: 1254 - Pages: 6
...Personal SWOT Analysis You are most likely to succeed in life if you use your talents to their fullest extent. Similarly, you'll suffer fewer problems if you know what your weaknesses are, and if you manage these weaknesses so that they don't matter in the work you do. So how you go about identifying these strengths and weaknesses, and analyzing the opportunities and threats that flow from them? SWOT Analysis is a useful technique that helps you do this. What makes SWOT especially powerful is that, with a little thought, it can help you uncover opportunities that you would not otherwise have spotted. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that might otherwise hurt your ability to move forward. If you look at yourself using the SWOT framework, you can start to separate yourself from your peers, and further develop the specialized talents and abilities you need to advance your career. How to Use the Tool To perform a personal SWOT analysis, print out our free worksheet, and write down answers to the questions in each area below. Strengths * What advantages do you have that others don't have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)? * What do you do better than anyone else? * What personal resources can you access? * What do other people (and your boss, in particular) see as your strengths? * Which of your achievements are you most proud of? * What values do you believe in that...
Words: 1092 - Pages: 5
...and services for the disable young people. Nowadays, youngcare try to expand their services, they decide to build sets of department for young people in different places in Australia. Thus, Youngcare need more donations, funds as well as manpower which can help them to realize their goals. On the other hand, the funds and manpower is still a big problem. How to attract consumers donate to Youngcare, is still need to do more analysis and researches. (Youngcare, 2010) 2.0 SWOT analysis 2.1 Definition of SWOT: SWOT analysis includes strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The internal factors to the organizations are the strengths and weaknesses, however, the external factors are the opportunities and threats. The internal factors the organization can control directly, on the other hand, external factors the organization cannot control directly. “The SWOT analysis provides information that is helpful in matching the firm’s resources and capabilities to the competitive environment in which it operates.” (QuickMBA, 2010) through analysis the SWOT, the companies try to enhance...
Words: 4434 - Pages: 18
...Integrated Learning Knowledge Denise McGill http://prezi.com/2jzdhoz6yhqo/starbucks-industry-analysis/http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/essays-and-dissertations/porter-5-forces.php http://www.scribd.com/doc/27614539/Starbucks-a-Strategic-Report-by-James-Heavey Starbuck employees are called partners http://en.oboulo.com/starbucks-corporation-58582.html http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/bandineepradhan-1770180-starbuck-pre-bandinee/ http://www.scaa.org/ Starbucks Strategic Report (Industry Analysis) Porters Five Forces Porter’s five forces focus on factors outside of the industry which can have an effect on the competition within the company. The force within the company (microenvironment), which in turn effects how the company deals with its competitive market place. The five forces that (Porter-1980) identifies as having an impact on a company’s behaviour in a competitive market are as followed: * The threat of new entrants to the market * Bargaining power of suppliers * Bargaining power of buyers (customers) * Threat of substitute products * Competitive rivalry Starbucks have the real threat of competitive rivalry by competing with some major competitors like McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Costa and other small coffee shops and cafes. With competitor’s low prices and the opportunity to break into the speciality coffee market pose a real risk to Starbuck’s. Substitute products such as tea, juices, water and energy drinks pose a real...
Words: 1347 - Pages: 6
...Mashell Chapeyama University of the People Swot analysis for Chipinge Banana Company Swot analysis is an environmental scanning tool. It is widely used in the world of business in analyzing some factors that have a great bearing on the company’s drive to achieve its mission. With swot companies are able to identify both negative and positive factors that have a bearing on the viability of the organization. Using swot, a company can find its own weaknesses and strengths as well as the opportunities and threats that are found in the broader economy. This essay shall concentrate on identifying and evaluating the internal and external factors that affect Chipinge Banana Company. Chipinge Banana Company is a company that is devoted to the production of bananas for sale to the local and international market. It sells its bananas in Zimbabwe, as well as to countries such as Zambia and South Africa. This company has no any other businesses which it does. It is a well known company that operates in Zimbabwe. The following table shows the results of the swot analysis carried on this company. The writer has selected this company because he currently works in it and has a very good understanding of its operations. Strengths • There is a strong team spirit in management • There is good infrastructure • Clearly established administrative system • There if flat piece of land • There is high morale among employees • There are open lines of communication • Employee have good attitudes...
Words: 2065 - Pages: 9
...different goals. This is in line with Rogers’ statement of his view on the current situation that the major problem they face now is division growth. After all, how is EPD supposed to grow when there is dissent, distrust and miscommunication within the internal systems of EPD? Environmental (External & Internal) Analysis and Reasons for Tension -Strong Tech capability in invention and manufacture of glass products -Established position in market -Uncertainty in new Leadership under Rogers -Good brand recognition -High Expectations can be a double edged sword -High Expectations -Poor Service to Customers -Always tries new things - Entrepreneurial -Missed commitments were high prior to Rogers -Missed commitments reduced under Rogers - Inter-department distrust -New information system developed by Sales Service -Poor communication in corporation Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats -Color TV emerging as a significant market -New competition Fiercely competitive -Growth of data processing industry -Prices fell sharply putting pressures on cost -Market starting to seem like a commodities market -Declining economy Corning SWOT Analysis 1968 There were a couple main external and internal problems which Corning faced at the time. Market conditions in the 60s were changing. The technology industry was becoming...
Words: 1966 - Pages: 8
...“What recommendations do you propose for the strategic development of the University of East Anglia in existing and new markets from now to 2018?” 12th Nov 2009 INTRODUCTION With the rapid socio-economic development and national policies tilt on education, strategic management at the university became increasingly important. Some schools use strategic management in facing the challenges and catch the opportunities brought by environmental changes to earn improvements and thus to achieve a historic leap forward. Competition exists in every field not only in similar businesses, but also in other industries that offering competing products or services (Stacey 2007). The only way to surge ahead of competitors is to have new approaches in the competition. Strategic management principles of the institution must be innovative and creative. It is important because all the organizations are trying to employ traditional methods and this can mean a closer competition level. This essay will discuss the main strategies in existing and new markets of the University of East Anglia under the current situation of UEA in the whole UK educational industry. New market space New market space is the creation or reinvention of existing products in such a way that it must appeal to the existing customers as well as a whole new group of customers. The products offered must be unique in every aspect and it should make the organization...
Words: 2303 - Pages: 10
...seconds) Search Results SWOT analysis of ufone - Scribd www.scribd.com › Research › Business & Economics Jan 19, 2009 – SWOT analysis of ufone - Free download or readfalse online for free. It is the SWOT analysis of Telecommunication company in Pakistan ... Ufone - SlideShare www.slideshare.net/imsbzu/ufone-7496969 SWOT ANALYSIS. Differentiation (lowest off-net call rates). Value Added Services (VAS) i.e. Ufone's Walkie talkie, call block etc. second largest cellular network ... Ufone | MBA Help shahsawar260.wordpress.com/case-studies/ufone/ mba | solved assignment | 3rd semester | Case Studies | Swot Analysis| Swot ... Ufone. Ufone GSM is a Pakistani GSM cellular service provider. It is one of six ... Swot Analysis of Ufone - Essays - Blader - Term Paper Warehouse www.termpaperwarehouse.com › Business and Management Dec 3, 2012 – Swot Analysis of Ufone. NTRODUCTION Ufone GSM is a Pakistani GSM cellular service provider. It is one of six GSM Mobile companies in ... Swot Analysis Of Ufone Free Essays 1 - 20 - StudyMode.com www.studymode.com/subjects/swot-analysis-of-ufone-page1.html 20+ items – Free Essays on Swot Analysis Of Ufone for students. Use our ... Sm Swot Analysis Swot Analysis Of The English National Opera main threat in Asia countries ... SWOT analysis of the English ... Free Swot Analysis Of Ufone - Pakistan Classifieds & Business ... www.merapakistan.com/directory/free_swot_analysis_of_ufone.html Free Swot Analysis Of Ufone Listings and Businesses...
Words: 444 - Pages: 2
...Contract Planning The Acquisition Environment The acquisition environment is influenced by each organization's mission support strategy, successful customer relationships, and core principles of decision making. This lesson provides you with an opportunity to guide your actions and to research and develop a strategy so you can recognize when your efforts support the mission. In this lesson, you will cite key components of successful customer relationships and describe how your office achieves success through the key relationship criteria it exhibits and apply these key components by choosing appropriate methods of dealing with your customers in a practice scenario. This lesson will help you build a foundation for good decision making based on the core principles of power and responsibility and give an opportunity to apply the Seven-step Path to Better Decisions in a practice scenario. Mission Support Strategy The mission support strategy is a systematic plan of action that aligns the organization's activities with its mission and objectives. The Terminal Learning Objective is: Given a customer need, reinforce areas of mutual interest within an acquisition environment (requiring activity, contractor, contracting office, others). The Enabling Learning Objectives are: * Apply the factors in development of your mission support strategy. * Apply the key characteristics for successful customer relationships. * Apply the Seven-step Path to Better Decisions...
Words: 46643 - Pages: 187