‍"SWOT Up! Why Every Business Needs a Strategic Review Before Planning"

When it comes to growing a business, diving straight into tactics—like ads, emails, or social media—can feel productive. But without a clear understanding of your broader landscape, you risk building on shaky ground.

That’s where SWOT analysis comes in.

What is SWOT?

SWOT stands for:

• Strengths – What your business does well
  
  
• Weaknesses – Areas you need to improve or support
  
  
• Opportunities – External factors you could exploit
  
  
• Threats – External risks you need to manage or prepare for
  
  

It’s a simple framework. But don’t confuse simple with superficial. A good SWOT analysis digs into both internal (micro) and external (macro) realities.

Why Use SWOT Before Planning?

Strategic planning is like plotting a route on a map. But if you don’t know your starting point—your true position—you could head in the wrong direction. SWOT gives clarity.

Here’s how:

• ✅ Strengths and weaknesses identify where you need to double down or fix first.
  
  
• 🌍 Opportunities and threats shine a light on market trends, competitors, and future risks.
  
  
• 🎯 It focuses decision-making and aligns your team behind key priorities.
  
  

Real-World Example

One of my clients was eager to launch a new service. But through SWOT, we realised they were overly reliant on one major supplier (a weakness), while a trend toward local sourcing (an opportunity) could be leveraged instead. They adjusted their plan, reduced risk, and positioned themselves more strongly in the market.

When Should You Do a SWOT?

• When setting annual goals
  
  
• When launching a new product or entering a new market
  
  
• When growth has stalled and you need to regain clarity
  
  

My Offer: Strategic Review + Marketing Planning

I help business owners not just “do more marketing” but do the right marketing—built on a solid strategic foundation.

If you'd like a fresh pair of eyes on your business to help identify your biggest strategic priorities (and roadblocks), I now offer a SWOT-based strategic review session ahead of our marketing planning process.

Let’s find your edge—and what’s holding you back—before you invest time and money on tactics.

📩 Want to book a session? Just get in touch or reply to this blog post.