The Role of SWOT Analysis in Identifying Business Opportunities

Opportunities occur when people discover a problem of some kind that can be solved with the provision of products/services, or when people decide they have certain needs or want to satisfy.

Opportunities may also arise from change. Sources of opportunities could also be an observed demand and supply gap arising from society’s needs and function, growing and evolving economies and economic niches, technological change, social change, demographic change, political changes such as war, tariff, and embargoes, or artificial scarcities.

Other conditions that may create opportunities include shortages, surpluses, price response, and shifts in demand.

SWOT Analysis

(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) enables the entrepreneur to mirror himself in relation to the identification and assessment of business opportunities.

• Strengths are his stronghold,
• Weaknesses imply shortcomings, and
• Opportunities are’ possible areas of exploitation while
• Threats are those things that are cogs in the wheel of progress, such as competitors.

For new entrepreneurs, the process of conducting a market survey involves the following steps;

(1) Defining objectives of the market survey and specifying what information is required.
(2) Working out the details of the study, such as;

• Identifying sources of obtaining information.
• Time and cost involved in the study.
• Methodology to be used in gathering information.
• Developing a plan of action.

(3) Selecting samples and deciding what contacts and visits should be made.
(4) Preparing questionnaires and plans for surveys and interviews.
(5) Collating and analyzing data.
(6) Preparing a report of findings.

Business Idea Generation

A business idea is the response of a person(s) or organization to solving an identified problem or to meeting perceived needs in the environment (markets, community, etc)

A business idea is a prerequisite for a successful business venture. Good business ideas result from the effort and often the creativity of the entrepreneur. Finding a good idea is the first step in transforming the entrepreneur’s desire and creativity into a business opportunity.

Sources of good Business Ideas: There are several sources of good ideas. To be successful in generating or finding one, however, the entrepreneur needs to keep his/her mind and eyes open and be alert to opportunities. An idea however good is only a tool at the end of the day.

It needs to be developed and transformed into a viable business opportunity.

Sources of business ideas include:

• Hobbies/interests
• Personal skills and experience
• Franchises’
• Mass media (newspapers, magazines, TV, internet, etc)
• Exhibitions
• Surveys
• Complaints
• Brainstorming
• Creativity

Reasons for generating business ideas:

• Business idea generation is a sine-qua-non (inevitable) for. business.
• Ideas are generated to respond to market needs
• Ideas are also generated to respond to changing fashions and requirements.
• In order to stay ahead of the competition
• To be in tune with the latest technology so as to do things better.
• In response to the product life cycle
• In order to spread risk and allow for failure.

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