A Trusted Tool for Coaching
As coaches, we need to be able to quickly understand our client’s situation so we can help them to uncover opportunities that they can use while mitigating any risks that they may face. Easier said than done!
But there is a tool that is extremely helpful, no matter kind of coaching you do. This tool can help any coach. It’s the SWOT analysis.
SWOT analysis stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats and it has been an integral part of the business world since the dawn of time. (Or, at least it seems that way).
To perform a SWOT analysis, simply take a regular sheet of paper and fold it into quarters. Then in each quarter right one of the words – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats – so you have all four on the page.
Now it’s time to analyze. To do this well, it’s best to first clearly define what you are analyzing. If you’re a business coach, you might be helping your client analyze an entire business or a market segment or the competition or a new product or a new joint venture. If you’re a relationship coach, you might be helping your client analyze a recent date they went on or how they view themselves. If you’re a productivity coach, you might be helping your client analyze their schedules or a recent project they started. You need to clearly define what you are analyzing or else the analysis can carry on too long and get out of hand.
Start with strengths. These are the internal strengths of the situation – perhaps of the person or the business, if that’s what you’re analyzing.
Then move on to weaknesses. These are the internal weaknesses of the situation.
Next, move on to opportunities. These are the external elements that can be used to improve the situation.
Last, work on threats. These are the external elements that risk the failure of the situation.
Often, for people new to the SWOT analysis, strengths and opportunities often get repeated, and weaknesses and threats often get repeated. However, they are different: Strengths and weaknesses are internal while opportunities and threats are external.
Take as much time as you need on this part for the more it’s filled in, the more useful it will be in the next step:
Next, start making connections and leverage what’s there. Use the following questions to help you:
1. Are there strengths that can be used to minimize weaknesses?
2. Are there strengths that can be used to leverage opportunities?
3. Are there strengths that can be used to mitigate threats?
4. What weaknesses are real problems and what weaknesses are minor?
5. How can these weaknesses be resolved, strengthened, or eliminated?
6. Which opportunities are worth pursuing?
7. Which opportunities are dependent on something else?
8. Which opportunities should be backburnered?
9. What threats are real problems and what threats are minor?
10. How can those threats be resolved or eliminated?
Lastly, you need to create an action plan from the SWOT analysis, drawing on actionable tasks that need to take place to turn those earlier theoretical connections into reality.
Brought to by you by: Contemporary VA - Run your business instead of running in circles.
@ContemporaryVA on Twitter. Follow the team to stay updated on business resources we deliver that cover strategies and tips, social media and more!
Related Articles:
- What’s Your Coaching Style?
- Executive Coaches – Are they just for the drowning?
- Do I really have to sell?
- Analogies as a Teaching and Learning Tool
- Data Storage and Back-up for Dummies
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment