I’ve been thinking quite a bit recently about the old school SWOT analysis.  As an aside, I’ve never really been one to go for the classic 4 Ps of marketing routine.  I’m more partial to Dr. Sunil Erevelles’ multi-faceted marketing model.  Digression complete, back to the topic of SWOT.  I do see tremendous value in the tried & true SWOT analysis.  Take any dental product/service and apply it.  Not only a great exercise for your marketing mind, but good fun too!

However, when was the last time you performed a SWOT analysis on yourself as a marketer?  I’ll admit I never have until the idea struck me this morning.  And that’s why I’m writing this post.  If you’re like me and have not SWOTed yourself, maybe now is a good time for some introspection.

Strengths –  Pretty obvious here.  What do you bring to the table?  Take a step away from your resume and really look deeply at what value you bring to the team.

Weaknesses – Again, obvious.  What do you need to work on?  How are you going to work on them and minimize them?

Opportunities – Put down the want ads (another aside, but does anyone actually use want ads anymore?  I only ask as it was a newspaper ad which was instrumental in bringing me to the dental industry).  What are your opportunities within your current team & organization?  What kinds of things can you do or do differently to create opportunity for yourself and your team?

Threats – Especially in a personal analysis, this goes hand in hand with the weaknesses.  What may be lurking around the corner to thwart your successes?  Keep in mind that corner may be internal, so do some looking in the mirror on this one too.  Most importantly, what can you do to eliminate, avoid, or minimize the threats?  As Sun-tzu was credited with saying, “It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles”.  But we’re all friends here, right?

I know there’s no rocket science, nor secret sauce in this particular post.  If you’ve never SWOTed yourself, give it a try.  You may learn something.

And, hey, thanks for reading by the way!