Helpful Hints

strengths

• End-user sales control and direction.
• Right products, quality and reliability.
• Superior product performance vs competitors.
• Better product life and durability.
• Spare manufacturing capacity.
• Some staff have experience of end-user sector.
• Have customer lists.
• Direct delivery capability.
• Product innovations ongoing.
• Can serve from existing sites.
• Products have required accreditations.
• Processes and IT should cope.
• Management is committed and confident.

opportunities

• Could develop new products.
• Local competitors have poor products.
• Profit margins will be good.
• End-users respond to new ideas.
• Could extend to overseas.
• New specialist applications.
• Can surprise competitors.
• Support core business economies.
• Could seek better supplier deals.

weaknesses

• Customer lists not tested.
• Some gaps in range for certain sectors.
• We would be a small player.
• No direct marketing experience.
• We cannot supply end-users abroad.
• Need more sales people.
• Limited budget.
• No pilot or trial done yet.
• Don't have a detailed plan yet.
• Delivery-staff need training.
• Customer service staff need training.
• Processes and systems, etc
• Management cover insufficient.

threats

• Legislation could impact.
• Environmental effects would favour larger competitors.
• Existing core business distribution risk.
• Market demand very seasonal.
• Retention of key staff critical.
• Could distract from core business.
• Possible negative publicity.
• Vulnerable to reactive attack by major competitors.