SWOT Analysis 101: What Is it, Examples, More

When it comes to strategic planning and staying ahead of your competitors, understanding your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) is pivotal. To do this, you’ll need to know how to do an effective SWOT analysis, which can be achieved with the help of an experienced business consultant.

In this guide, we’ll delve into what a SWOT analysis is, how it’s done, what the purpose of it is, and SWOT analysis examples of some of the most prominent companies across various industries. This can help your organization have a visual of what a SWOT analysis should look like so you can apply it to your own business.

Let’s learn more.

What Is a SWOT Analysis?

A SWOT analysis is a strategic tool that provides businesses with a comprehensive overview of their internal capabilities and external environment. It involves identifying and evaluating the…

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats…

that impact a company’s operations, market positioning, and future growth prospects. Though a SWOT analysis can be done internally, many companies will bring in the expertise of an unbiased business consultant to help with the process. We’ll talk more about that in a bit.

Why Is a SWOT Analysis Important?

A SWOT analysis serves as a road-map for important decision-making. By assessing internal strengths and weaknesses, businesses can harness their advantages and address areas that need improvement.  Identifying external opportunities and threats allows companies to tap into potential growth avenues and proactively manage risks.

Furthermore, a SWOT analysis aids in strategic planning, assisting businesses in setting achievable goals, targeting specific areas for improvement, and crafting strategies to exploit market opportunities that help them stay ahead of the competition, which of course impacts the bottom line.

SWOT Analysis Examples: Top Companies in Large Industries

In order to conduct your very own SWOT analysis, it’s helpful to look at some well-known companies in top industries. Most of these companies are public facing and simply keeping an eye on business trends can give the general population a basic understanding of these company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. By using these companies as an example*, you can have that as a basis for eventually conducting a SWOT analysis for your own organization:

1. Technology: SWOT Analysis

The tech industry is one of the most competitive and innovative in our world today. Though the SWOT analysis will look different depending on the size and focus of the company, here’s a general overview with some examples from the most well-known tech companies:

• Strengths: Tech companies bring innovation and disruptive solutions, attracting investor interest.
• Weaknesses: Limited resources and scaling challenges can impact a tech company’s competitiveness.
• Opportunities: Leveraging emerging technologies like AI and IoT, and forming strategic partnerships, can drive growth.
• Threats: Fierce competition, technological shifts, and funding uncertainties can challenge a startup’s sustainability.

Google SWOT Analysis

Google, with its dominance in the search engine landscape and diverse digital product offerings, exemplifies the strengths of the technology startup sector. It stands out for its influential presence in the tech industry and being a household name to which many users have that brand loyalty.

That being said, Google faces challenges related to privacy concerns and reducing its reliance on advertising revenue. To navigate these challenges, Google explores opportunities in technological advancements and harnesses the potential of artificial intelligence to drive future growth. Moreover, it actively manages threats posed by competition from other tech giants and the heightened regulatory scrutiny that requires ongoing vigilance.

Meta SWOT Analysis

Facebook’s extensive user base and social connectivity represent a formidable strength, making it a prominent player in social media, still on top since its inception. The platform’s advertising capabilities and data insights contribute to its market dominance. However, Facebook faces weaknesses linked to data privacy concerns and criticism of its impact on mental health and misinformation.

An opportunity for Facebook lies in enhancing privacy controls and investing in content moderation and fact-checking. The rapid evolution of social media trends and the emergence of new platforms as alternatives underscore threats to Facebook’s user engagement and reputation, necessitating proactive measures to address societal and ethical challenges while fostering a positive online community. This has left Facebook trying new innovative ideas, but whether or not they’ll be successful is to be seen.

2. Travel, Transportation, & Hospitality Industry: SWOT Analysis

With increasing conversation around the travel industry, companies in this space now more than ever are in a precarious position to adapt or be left behind:

• Strengths: Hotels excel at delivering tailored accommodation and services, creating a home-away-from-home atmosphere.
• Weaknesses: Elevated operational costs and competition from alternatives like Airbnb can hamper hotel profitability.
• Opportunities: Leveraging technology to enhance guest experiences and adopting eco-friendly practices cater to modern travelers.
• Threats: The ongoing pandemic’s travel impact and the surge of remote work alter hotel occupancy rates and travel patterns.

Marriott International SWOT Analysis

Marriott International, a household name in the hotel industry, embodies these dynamics. Its strengths lie in personalized guest experiences and a vast portfolio of properties that have led to customers booking again and again no matter where they are in the world. Offering a loyalty system allows guests to have an incentive that perpetuates this.

Unfortunately, it would seem that high operational costs and competition from alternative accommodations challenge its profitability. To address this, Marriott has adopted advanced technology for guest services and initiated sustainability efforts to resonate with eco-conscious travelers.

Boeing SWOT Analysis

Boeing, a longstanding aerospace leader but also a major player in the travel industry, boasts strengths in technological innovation and being an oligopoly in the aircraft manufacturing world. However, Boeing faces weaknesses associated with recent safety concerns and regulatory challenges, impacting its reputation.

An opportunity exists for Boeing to prioritize safety enhancements, transparent communication, and regulatory compliance to regain trust, as well as innovation in terms of sustainability. And, because threats are constant, with pandemics, war, and geopolitical and economic tensions having the ability to impact travel, Boeing has to find ways to combat this.

Uber SWOT Analysis

Uber has revolutionized the transportation industry, and the company’s user-friendly app and extensive network of drivers have reshaped urban mobility around the globe. And, the company’s ability to pivot into other markets like food delivery have kept the company going strong.

However, Uber faces weaknesses related to regulatory challenges, safety, and competition from other ride-sharing services as well as traditional taxi services. Uber has also been resisted in many places. Therefore, there lies an opportunity to diversify its offerings even more, while helping users feel safer and confident in their booking with more price transparency. The ongoing threat posed by legal and regulatory issues, along with emerging ride-sharing alternatives, necessitates continuous innovation and adaptability to maintain its market dominance.

3. Medical Devices Industry: SWOT Analysis

There is a lot of potential in the medical devices industry, but there are also many factors that make it hard to be profitable:

• Strengths: Advancing healthcare technology, global demand for medical devices, regulatory expertise, and a diverse product portfolio.
• Weaknesses: Rapid technological obsolescence, stringent regulatory hurdles, costly R&D, and price pressure.
• Opportunities: Emerging market expansion, telemedicine integration, personalized medicine, and sustainability initiatives.
• Threats: Competitive market, technological shifts, regulatory challenges, and cost containment pressures.

Medtronic SWOT Analysis

Medtronic stands out for its diverse and innovative product range, including vital devices like pacemakers and insulin pumps. The company has earned a global presence and a solid brand reputation, earning trust among healthcare professionals and patients worldwide. Medtronic’s unwavering commitment to research and development consistently leads to groundbreaking advancements in medical technology.

But, facing the industry’s strict regulatory environment poses compliance challenges that can result in delays and increased operational expenses. Additionally, substantial investments needed for developing and launching new medical devices can deter smaller competitors. Fierce competition, coupled with pricing pressures driven by healthcare cost containment measures, adds complexity to an already challenging market. This demands ongoing innovation and strategic adaptability.

4. Restaurant Industry: SWOT Analysis

Restaurants come in all different shapes and sizes, and starting one, growing one, or deciding to close one with an exit strategy will depend on a range of factors. For our example, we’ll use two of the most well-known fast food companies, which of course, will look different than a family-owned restaurant or a non-franchised restaurant. But, this is a good starting point for conducting a SWOT analysis in this industry:

• Strengths: Restaurants offer diverse cuisines and dining experiences, catering to a wide range of customer preferences.
• Weaknesses: High employee turnover and fluctuating ingredient costs can affect operational efficiency.
• Opportunities: Embracing online ordering, delivery services, and health-conscious menu options can propel growth.
• Threats: Intense competition, evolving consumer dining habits, and health regulations pose ongoing challenges.

McDonald’s SWOT Analysis

McDonald’s exemplifies these factors in the restaurant industry. It capitalizes on its strengths of diverse menu offerings and global brand recognition. However, it grapples with health-conscious consumer trends and controversies surrounding its supply chain. To adapt, McDonald’s has explored menu diversification and expansion into emerging markets, while also addressing concerns related to its menu’s nutritional value by working to provide transparency around this.

KFC SWOT Analysis

KFC’s iconic fried chicken and global brand recognition constitute a core strength, positioning it as a leading fast-food chain. The company’s distinctive flavor (with a “secret sauce”) and menu offerings cater to a diverse customer base. Nonetheless, like McDonald’s, KFC faces weaknesses related to health-conscious consumer trends and changing dietary preferences.

An opportunity for KFC lies in expanding its menu to include healthier alternatives and plant-based options to cater to evolving consumer demands, emphasizing KFC’s need to adapt and innovate to maintain its market share and appeal.

• Strengths: Retail stores offer physical shopping experiences and instant gratification for customers.
• Weaknesses: Online competition and shifting consumer shopping behaviors can impact foot traffic and sales.
• Opportunities: Integrating omnichannel retail strategies and enhancing customer experiences through technology can drive growth.
• Threats: E-commerce competition, economic downturns, and changing consumer preferences for convenience pose challenges.

Nike SWOT Analysis

Nike is renowned for cutting-edge athletic footwear and apparel. Leveraging its extensive product line and global reach, Nike can drive sales, also by creating scarcity with limited edition products. That being said, Nike has faced criticism for its involvement in political conversations, though this has also fostered a dedicated audience with strong brand loyalty. Nike’s has always been innovative, and their adept use of social media allows them to stay relevant. Nike faces challenges with overstock inventory and supply chain issues.

7. Financial Services Industry: SWOT Analysis

The financial services industry is at the expense of the economy, and this can make companies within this industry volatile:

• Strengths: Financial services providers offer a range of banking, investment, and insurance services tailored to diverse financial needs.
• Weaknesses: Regulatory compliance challenges and cybersecurity threats can impact customer trust.
• Opportunities: Embracing fintech innovations and offering digital banking solutions can enhance customer experiences.
• Threats: Intense competition from traditional institutions, disruptive fintech startups, economic downturns, and changing regulations pose challenges.

JPMorgan Chase SWOT Analysis

JPMorgan Chase embodies these dynamics within the financial services industry. It capitalizes on its strengths as a diverse financial institution catering to various financial needs. They have strong branding and a loyal consumer base. That being said, Chase faces challenges related to cybersecurity and the evolving fintech landscape. JPMorgan Chase addresses these by investing in digital banking solutions and enhancing its technology infrastructure to provide secure and innovative financial services.

8. Small Distribution Company: SWOT Analysis

Distribution companies are the backbone of our fast-paced, demand-it-right-now world. But, they also face challenges that can be unpredictable, which can make it hard to remain profitable.

• Strengths: A small distribution company may have strengths such as an efficient supply chain, established supplier relationships, a skilled workforce, and a reliable track record of on-time deliveries.
• Weaknesses: Limited expansion resources, outdated technology, warehouse space constraints, or difficulties in meeting growing customer demands.
• Opportunities: External opportunities can drive growth, such as expanding into new regions, diversifying product lines, leveraging e-commerce for sales, or adopting sustainable distribution practices.
• Threats: Recognizing threats is essential, including factors like rising transportation costs, increased competition from larger distributors, regulatory changes, or supply chain disruptions due to various factors.

Toy Distributor SWOT Analysis

Here at NYC Advisors, we worked with a 75-year old toy distributor that was facing successive losses that put it on its last legs. Toy companies in general always have a clear target audience, but that audience has become more dependent on electronic devices versus physical toys. And, any small distributor that has loans from a lender will find it hard to lock-down additional credit to keep running. But, toy companies have the ability to innovate and find ways to optimize resources to remain in business.

*These are not formal SWOT analyses that we have conducted, but based on public knowledge.

How to Conduct a SWOT Analysis for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

So far, we’ve mainly focused on doing SWOT analyses with larger businesses in major industries. But, what about small to medium-sized businesses? What would that look like?

Strengths (S): Small businesses and startups often possess unique strengths that can be leveraged for competitive advantage. For example, a startup in the technology sector may have a highly skilled and innovative development team, while a small restaurant might have a prime location and a talented chef.

Weaknesses (W): It’s essential to recognize and address weaknesses to improve overall performance. For instance, a small online retail business might face challenges with limited capital for marketing and a lack of brand recognition. Startups may struggle with a lack of industry experience or access to resources.

Opportunities (O): Identifying opportunities in the external environment is crucial for growth. Small businesses can tap into opportunities like emerging markets or trends. For example, a startup in the healthcare industry might see opportunities in telemedicine, while a local bakery could expand its market through online ordering and delivery services.

Threats (T): Small businesses and startups must be vigilant about potential threats that can negatively impact their operations. Threats may include fierce competition, economic downturns, or changing regulations. For instance, a small manufacturing business might face threats from supply chain disruptions or global trade uncertainties.

By conducting a SWOT analysis and addressing the insights gained from it, small businesses and startups can develop strategies that capitalize on strengths, mitigate weaknesses, seize opportunities, and prepare for potential threats, ultimately positioning themselves for long-term success. And, with the help of a business consultant, you can ensure that your SWOT analysis isn’t leaving out anything important.

Bring in a Business Consultant to Conduct Your SWOT Analysis

Incorporating SWOT analyses into strategic planning empowers businesses to navigate their industries with insight and foresight. Whether it’s maximizing strengths, addressing weaknesses, seizing opportunities, or countering threats, the SWOT framework serves as an indispensable tool for shaping a company’s future trajectory. And with the guidance of a skilled business consultant, companies can unlock even greater potential through informed decision-making and targeted strategies.

Need help with your SWOT analysis? Let’s talk today.