SWOT Those Unintended Consequences
I love Baseball! I’ve loved it since I was a kid, and we could only play softball. I was a pretty good outfielder. I wasn’t too bad at bat. There’s a lot that goes into being a successful player.
With all the hard work and the best intentions, a player can swing and strike or hit a foul ball. As a small business owner – the Coach and the Manager, you need your team to make base hits and at least an occasional home run. A home run with the bases loaded would be a real win. Can you hear the roar of the crowd?
SWOT analysis gives you the edge – the edge to avoid those unintended consequences, the strike outs.
SWOT = Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
STRENGTHS – There’s a pitcher in the Majors who starts his pitch almost from the ground. He can strike out batter after batter but maybe not a second time. Recognize strengths and limitations.
WEAKNESSES – Other Teams are always watching to see where you might be vulnerable. Their coaches and managers know your records well. Be as vigilant as they are.
OPPORTUNITIES – Oh, yeah! The base stealer! Watching every second for an opening. There’s at least one Majors player who’s well known for this. The opposing Pitchers are watching, too.
THREATS – On any team, business or sports, a toxic member can bring the whole team down. Keep an eye out for this on your Team. Don’t be too distant from the players.
Keep your team well trained and ready for anything. Build the Strengths. Address the Weaknesses. Seize the Opportunities. Mitigate the Threats. Increase profits and reduce losses by hitting more home runs with the bases loaded.
