What is a SWOT Analysis and How to Do One
In business, clarity is everything. When you understand where you stand — your strengths, gaps, opportunities, and risks — you’re able to move forward with confidence. A SWOT analysis is one of the simplest ways to gain that clarity.
It’s not just a corporate checklist. It’s a thoughtful snapshot of your business — one that helps you make decisions from a place of awareness rather than assumption.
At Grove Seven, we use SWOT analysis as a tool for alignment. Because when you understand your position, you can move with purpose.
A Clearer Look at SWOT
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. These four areas give you a grounded view of where your business is now — and where it could be next.
Strengths – What’s Working for You?
Every business has a unique edge. Your strengths are the things you do well — whether that’s your client experience, product design, speed, creativity, or simply the way people feel after engaging with your brand.
Ask yourself:
What do we do better than others in our space?
What do clients consistently praise or return for?
What internal resources, skills or systems give us an advantage?
These are your anchors — make sure your strategy builds on them.
Weaknesses – What’s Holding You Back?
Acknowledging your weak spots isn’t about being hard on yourself. It’s about being honest so you can grow.
Weaknesses might show up as skill gaps, clunky systems, unclear messaging, or areas where you know competitors are doing better.
Ask:
What do we tend to avoid or delay?
Where do we lose time, money, or energy?
What feedback have we received that stung — but rang true?
These answers help you move from avoidance to action.
Opportunities – Where Can You Grow?
Opportunities are the places your brand could grow if you made space for them. They might come from emerging trends, evolving client needs, new offerings, or untapped markets.
Ask:
What are people starting to ask for that we could offer?
Are there audiences or services we’re not reaching yet?
What’s changing in our industry — and how can we respond?
This is where you can think creatively and get ahead of the curve.
Threats – What Needs Watching?
Every business faces external pressures — some expected, others out of the blue. Being aware of these potential threats helps you plan wisely and stay steady.
Consider:
What trends, competitors, or economic shifts could impact us?
Are we reliant on one type of client, channel, or supplier?
What risks have we been avoiding because they feel too hard to solve?
Threats don’t need to derail you — but they do deserve your attention.
How to Do a SWOT Analysis
Start with insight – Pull together internal data, feedback, and any patterns you’ve noticed in your work or audience.
Get perspective – If you have a team (or trusted peer), invite them into the process. You’ll see more when you’re not viewing things in isolation.
Write it down – List each category simply. You don’t need a ten-page report — just clear, honest notes.
Turn insight into action – Leverage your strengths, build plans to address weaknesses, pursue the right opportunities, and protect against potential risks.
This Isn’t More Homework — It’s Better Decision-Making
A SWOT analysis isn’t just another task on your to-do list. It’s a tool that makes everything else easier. It gives shape to your strategy, direction to your energy, and confidence to your next move.
It helps you know where to focus — from the services you promote, to the systems you build, to the partnerships you say yes (or no) to.
It also gives you clarity — so the next time someone says “You should try this — it worked for my business,” you can assess it against your own strategic position. You won’t feel scattered or swayed. You’ll be clear on what fits, what doesn’t, and why. And that clarity leads to stronger decisions, better use of your resources, and a brand that grows with intention.
