SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

A SWOT analysis is a very good way to periodically gauge whether your chamber is on the right path.

Done right, it’s a valuable tool that should be used during your strategic planning process.

  • Strengths – what you do well, the best part of your programs.
  • Weaknesses – what you don’t do well, areas where you can improve on your programs.
  • Opportunities – where you can make incremental or wholesale improvements to your programs to increase member value and possible growth.
  • Threats – what outside forces are having on the success or failure of your programs.

Hire a third party (current or former chamber executive you trust) to conduct a planning retreat for your board and then do the following:

  • Conduct a SWOT analysis on each of your programs (i.e., annual meeting, monthly luncheon, afterhours networking and Leadership Program to name a few;
  • Identify what you should keep doing and what you should stop doing;
  • Prioritize what you have identified that you should keep doing;
  • Assign the resources to be successful; and
  • Create a review process (scorecard) to measure how you’re doing as you move forward.

Remember, a SWOT analysis is just one tool in a comprehensive review of your programs, albeit, a very important tool!

For tips on conducting a successful SWOT analysis go HERE.