In Week 2, you were introduced to a time-tested business/marketing tool called SWOT analysis. Before beginning this assignment, you are encouraged to revisit Chapter 3 of your textbook and related course materials, as well as company websites to better prepare for your SWOT analysis. You may also find a quick review of publications like the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Fortune, or Forbes to your benefit, which are available through the Bellevue University Library.

A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is a strategic planning method used by businesses to evaluate projects, ventures, and products or services. The environmental analysis aids decision making by looking at multiple areas. It can trigger balanced discussions of ventures. A SWOT diagram represents a snapshot in time, while the environment is continually changing.

Remember:

• Strengths: an Internal attribute that helps to achieve goals.
• Weaknesses: an Internal attribute that holds back the achievement of goals.
• Opportunities: an External environmental condition that supports goals.
• Threats: an External environmental condition that opposes or hinders performance.

Note: Resources on SWOT analysis can be found in this week's readings, as well as in the Toolbox.

Assignment Instructions:

1. Begin by identifying a private-sector or not-for-profit organization of some size as the foundation of the SWOT analysis that you will conduct. What industry or sector of the economy does your company occupy? What do you think your organization does well?
2. Competitors:
   1. Find and list 3 different (direct and/or indirect) competitors that your company or not-for-profit organization competes against.
   2. Why did you choose these 3 competitors? What do they do well?
   3. Which one of the key competitors that you identified should your company be most concerned about? Why?
3. Using the Business SWOT chart template as a guide, create your own SWOT chart and identify at least 2 different attributes for each of the 4 sections (your chart does not have to look exactly like the example, but should include all the sections).
4. Build justifications on why each of these 8 attributes were selected. Provide meaningful content as part of your defense.
   • Which one of the key competitors that you identified earlier should your company be most concerned about? Why?
5. Upon the conclusion of your research and analysis, write a brief summary of what you uncovered. Include in your summary what you found to be the most surprising.
6. Document should be a minimum of 250 words.
7. Submit only 1 document. In MS Word, respond to the above assignment questions. Please include your own SWOT chart in this document.
8. Utilize at least 1 credible source beyond the textbook to help you craft your report.
   1. Please include APA source citations within the body of your writing, as well as a References list at the end of the paper.