Examples of SWOT
Complete this assignment by reviewing some examples of SWOT. Recall that a SWOT analysis includes an internal evaluation of an organization’s strengths (S) and weaknesses (W) and an external evaluation of opportunities (O) and threats (T) in its operating environment.
Strengths – What does the organization do well? What resources does it have? What do other organizations see as this organization’s strengths?
Weaknesses – What could the organization improve? What resources does it need? What do other organizations see as this organization’s weaknesses?
Opportunities – What opportunities exist for this organization? How could it turn its strengths into opportunities? What trends could it leverage?
Threats – What threats could harm this organization? How could its weaknesses expose it to threats? What do other organizations do that could harm this organization?
To better understand SWOT analysis, review some internal and external factors that we might consider in the bulleted list below and complete this assignment.
Examples of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
Strengths and Weaknesses
Opportunities and Threats
Product attributes
Service attributes and processes
Quality aspects
Company processes
Management skills and capability
Marketing and sales
Market share and territory
Core competence
Manufacturing capability
Information technology
Intellectual property
Technology capability
Financial aspects
Any of the examples listed in the Strengths and Weaknesses column
Developing a market
Mergers, joint ventures, or strategic alliances
A new international market
New markets
Economic trends
Alliances
Assignment Now that you know more about strategic training and development put your knowledge to use by conducting a SWOT analysis of a top training company. Start by learning about one of Training Magazine’sLinks to an external site. most recent inductees. Then, later in the module, you will develop a strategic training plan for this company based on the information you collect through this assignment.
Step 1: Learn About McCarthy Building Systems T&D Strategy
Every year Training MagazineLinks to an external site. awards its Top 125 Companies for Training. In this video, leaders from two of the list’s frequent mentions explain why McCarthy Building SystemsLinks to an external site. was inducted into the magazine’s Top Ten Hall of Fame. Please note McCarthy’s business strategy, training and development initiatives and activities, and the metrics it uses to show the value of training.
McCarthy Building Companies. (2016, Mar. 7). McCarthy Inducted into Training Top 10 Hall of Fame. [Video File]. Retrieved from YouTube.
Step 2: Choose a Top 10 Company
In February 2020, Training MagazineLinks to an external site. identified its annual Top 125 Companies for Training. Please choose one of the companies in the Top 10 list below to research for this assignment.
Dollar General Corporation, LLC
MasTec Utility Services
Best Buy
BNSF Railway Company
United Shore
Birmingham Water Works Board
Sonic Automotive
Rosendin
C&A Industries Incorporated
Nationwide
Step 3: Research the Company
Learn more about the company, including its business strategy, organizational culture, leadership, and training and development system. You can collect this information by referring to the company’s website, using Maryville University Library’s online databasesLinks to an external site. and internet search engines, and exploring publications like HR MagazineLinks to an external site., Workforce MagazineLinks to an external site., and T + D MagazineLinks to an external site..
Step 4: Research the Company’s Industry
After you research the internal features of the company, learn more about its industry, including its past, present, and projected future. You can use any of the resources mentioned in Step 2 or any of those listed below.
Statista’s Industry OverviewLinks to an external site.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ Data by IndustriesLinks to an external site.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Industries at a GlanceLinks to an external site.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment ProjectionsLinks to an external site.
U.S. Census Bureau’s Industry and Occupation DataLinks to an external site.
Valuation Resources’ Industry Information ResourcesLinks to an external site.
Step 5: Post Your Response
Using your knowledge of strategic training and development and your research about one of the organizations listed above, conduct a simple SWOT analysis by answering Parts A-E below.
Part A: Describe the company’s business strategy and its organizational culture. Does the company have a concentration, internal growth, external growth, or disinvestment strategy, for example?
Part B: Describe the training needs created by the company’s business strategy. Explain how the company’s training and development strategy attempted to address these training needs.
Part C: Conduct a SWOT analysis of the company’s training and development system. List three strengths, three weaknesses, three opportunities, and three threats in the table below, and then explain each one in paragraph form. Remember to consider both the internal and external forces that might affect training and development at this organization.
SWOT Analysis Table
Strengths
Weaknesses
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Opportunities
Threats
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
Part D: What specific strategies could be used at this company to proactively address the company’s weaknesses and threats and the internal and external factors that influence the development, implementation, and evaluation of training? Identify and describe at least two strategies.
Part E: What specific strategies could be used at this company to continue shaping an organizational culture that values learning? Identify at least two strategies. What are the pros and cons of each of these strategies? What considerations do we need to make when implementing each of these strategies?
