Tows analysis

Taking action on SWOT Analysis

1. Presentation on: Tows Analysis By: Ola Belgore

2. Content SWOT TOWS Implementing & Using TOWS : The TOWS Matrix I II III IV Questions TOWS Analysis | Page 2

3. TOWS Analysis | Page 3

4. TOWS Analysis | Page 4 SWOT W WEAKNESSES O OPPORTUNITIES S STRENGTHS T THREATS A review of Internal and External Factors that affect an entity.

5. TOWS Analysis | Page 5 SWOT S Where are we better than the competition. Examples are strong brand recognition, a loyal customer base, unique propriety technology and a healthy financial condition. W STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Areas where we need improvement. Examples could be poor product quality, an unmotivated sales force, lack of capital and an excessive level of debt. SWOT ANALYSIS In the world of strategic analysis, SWOT wears the crown as one of the most commonly used analysis models. Strengths and weaknesses represent internal factors, whereas opportunities and threats are external factors that require evaluation.

6. TOWS Analysis | Page 6 SWOT OPPORTUNITIES O T THREATS This will make our business grow better/faster. It might be going into new markets , developing an innovative product line or being able to exploit weaknesses in a competitor. These new development would hurt our business. Eg increasing costs, new competitors. Unfavourable Governement policy, technology etc. Conducting a SWOT analysis on your company should not be a mind-numbing mental exercise. It should be short and simple. What is your business good at? Where are you weak? What are the bright opportunities you see, and what threats scare you? That's it. You don't need to over-think this process. SWOT ANALYSIS

7. TOWS Analysis | Page 7 TOWS T S O W

8. TOWS Analysis | Page 8 TOWS A TOWS analysis is a variant of a SWOT analysis and is an acronym for Threats, Opportunities, Weaknesses and Strengths.  TOWS examines a company's external opportunities and threats and compares them to the firm's strengths and weaknesses. This analysis forms the basis for actionable tactics.

9. TOWS Analysis | Page 9 Implementing & Using TOWS: The TOWS Matrix

10. TOWS Analysis | Page 10 Implementing & Using TOWS: The TOWS Matrix External Opportunities (O) External Threats (T) 1. New International Market 2. Developing an innovative product line 3. Being able to exploit weakness in a competitor 1. Rapidly increasing cost 2. New competitors in the market 3. Tightening supply of labour 4. Changing demographics Internal Strength (S) SO ‘Maxi-Maxi’ Strategy ST ‘Maxi-Mini’ Strategy 1. Brand Recognition 2. Loyal Customer Base 3. Unique Propriety technology Develop plans that leverage the strengths of the company to capitalize on opportunities. A few ideas could be to diversify into new markets, improve the quality of products etc. Use the company's strengths to counter external threats. If the company has a strong research and development department, for example, start new product development projects to enter different markets. Internal Weaknesses (W) WO ‘Mini-Maxi’ Strategy WT ‘Mini-Mini’ Strategy 1. High Employee turnover 2. Poor product quality 3. Lack of capital After identifying weaknesses, focus on ways to resolve them in a goal to take advantage of opportunities.  Find ways to minimize weaknesses and counter threats. This could involve closing out poor-selling products, terminating under-performing employees etc.

11. TOWS Analysis | Page 11 Implementing & Using TOWS: The TOWS Matrix The TOWS matrix forces us to think about outcomes and provides the framework for developing the findings of a SWOT into actionable items that can inform business decision-making. It’s important to remember that a TOWS analysis will not point to which specific strategy to adopt, but it does focus attention the areas where action is required, and given some indication of the nature of that action.