Mrs R.

Hamrouni ISET Master classes

SWOT Analysis

SWOT analysis is a process that identifies the strengths,

weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organization. Specifically, SWOT is a basic,
analytical framework that assesses what an organization can and cannot do, as well as its
potential opportunities and threats. A SWOT analysis takes information from an
environmental analysis and separates it into internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as its
external opportunities and threats.

A SWOT analysis determines what assists the firm in accomplishing its objectives, and what
obstacles must be overcome or minimized to achieve desired results. When using SWOT
analysis, an organization needs to be realistic about assessing its strengths and weaknesses.
Analysis needs to examine where the organization is today, and where it may be positioned in
the future.

SWOT analysis needs to be kept specific by avoiding gray areas and analyzing in relation to
the competition. For example, how do the organization’s products and services compare to the
competitions? SWOT analysis should be short and simple, and should avoid complexity and
over-analysis, as much of the information is subjective. Thus, use it as a guide and not a
prescription.

Strengths describe what an organization excels at, allowing decisions on how to gain a
competitive advantage. For example, a hedge fund may have developed a proprietary trading
strategy that returns superior results in comparison to its competitors. It must then decide how
to use those superior results to attract new investor capital.

Weaknesses stop an organization from performing at its optimum level. They have the
potential to reduce progress or to give a competitive edge to the competition. An organization
needs to minimize weaknesses and analyze how they can be improved. An inadequate supply
network or lack of capital are example of weaknesses.

Opportunities refer to favorable external factors that an organization can use it its advantage.
If utilized effectively, opportunities have the potential to create a competitive advantage. For
example, a car manufacturer may be able to export its cars into a new market if tariffs in a
country are substantially reduced. This is likely to increase sales and market share, which may
create a competitive advantage in terms of scale.

Threats refer to factors that have the potential to negatively impact an organization. For
example, a drought is a threat to a wheat-producing company, as it may destroy or reduce the
yield of a wheat crop. Market share is likely to be lost if a competitor has not diversified
operations in terms of location. It is prudent for an organization to have a comprehensive
contingency plan that addresses possible risks and specifies how to deal with them.

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Reading_______________________________________________________

1) What are the objectives of a SWOT analysis?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2) A SWOT analysis is based on two types of factors. What are they?

a)…………………………………… b)……………………………………….

2) Are these statements true or false?

a) Strengths capture the positive aspects external to your business that add value or offer you
a competitive advantage………….

b) Weaknesses capture the negative aspects internal to your business……….

c) Opportunities assess the external attractive factors that represent the reason for your
business to exist and prosper. …………

d) A threat is a challenge created by a favorable trend or development ………

Vocabulary______________________________________________________

1) Give synonyms and antonyms to these words.

a) Future (P.1) =…………………………. b)Formula (P.3) =……………………………

c)An alternative investment (P.4) =……………………………………

d) Least (P.5) ≠ ……………………………. e) Slightly (P.6)≠……………………………..

f) Wetness (P.7) ≠………………………………

2) Match each word with its definition.

1- Strengths a) Areas to be improved. 1+……….

2-Weaknesses b) Risks caused by external 2+………..

factors that your organization
may face.
3-Opportunities c) External factors that may 3+………..
contribute to your
organization and can build up
your strengths.
4-Threats d) Areas you do well. 4+………

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Mrs R. Hamrouni ISET Master classes

Expressing a wish, regret, or complaint

Use of I wish / if only:

There are three distinct types of I wish / if only sentences:

1. Wish, wanting change for the present or future with the simple past.
2. Regret with the past perfect.
3. Complaints with would + verb.

Expressing a wish:

Form:

If only / I wish + simple past

Example:

If only I knew how to use a computer. (I don’t know how to use a computer and I would
like to learn how to use it)

Use:

 To express a wish in the present or in the future.

 The simple past here is an unreal past.
 When you use the verb to be the form is “were”.
Example:
I wish I were a millionaire!

Expressing regret:

Form:

If only / I wish + past perfect

Example:

If only I had woken up early. (I didn't wake up early and I missed my bus.)

Use:

 To express a regret.
 The action is past.

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Mrs R. Hamrouni ISET Master classes

Complaining:

Form:

I wish / if only + would + verb

Example:

I wish you wouldn't arrive so late all the time (I'm annoyed because you always come late
and I want you to arrive on time)

Use:

 To complain about a behavior that you disapprove.

 Expressing impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action.

Exercises

1/Decide whether these statements express a "wish" or a "regret":

1. I wish I could fly.

2. If only she had seen the doctor earlier. He could have saved her.
3. If only I traveled to New York.
4. I wish I were a doctor.

2/Choose the correct answer:

1. Alice didn't get a good grade. She wishes she (work)…………………………………….harder.

2. Tom likes football very much. He wishes he (become)…………………………………….a
professional football player.
3. He was running very fast when he had a heart attack. If only he
(not/run)………………………………………………..so fast.
4. She's keen on computers. She wishes she (study)…………………………………………computer
science next school year.
5. I am sorry I don’t know how to use the computer. If only I
(know)………………………………………………….how to use it.
6. I stayed late at work and missed the last bus. I wish I (stay)……………………………………at
work late.

3/Choose the correct preposition

1. I wish I…………………………………………………..to him yesterday. (talk)

2. I need help badly. If only you………………………………………………..help me.(can)
3. My old car often breaks down. I wish I…………………………………………….a new car.(buy)
4. He didn't pass the exam. If only he…………………………………………………hard. (work)
5. She was absent. I wish she………………………………………….the conference.(attend)
6. What a beautiful house! I wish I………………………………………a house like this one.(have)
7. I wish I……………………………………………………………rich. I would buy a farm and enjoy the
calm of the countryside.(be)

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8. They had that bad accident because they were careless. If only
they……………………………………………….more careful. (be)
9. We saw the film. I wish you………………………………………it with us. It was an amazing
evening. (see)
10. I like traveling around the world. If only I………………………………………….time to realize
my dream. (have)