Category: Blog

Perfect CV

The Perfect CV by the Excel experts

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Here at Excel, we see a lot of CVs. A lot. And our team of experienced recruiters are sharing their insider knowledge on what the look for, and what they avoid, when screening CVs. In most cases, your CV is the first impression an employer has of you so make it count. The aim is to get across you have the skills and experience to get the job, and then go get the job. Presentation is key. The CV and accompanying cover letter should be tailored to the particular job you are applying for. Focus on the skills and experience relevant to that job to avoid your CV being overlong and make it stand out from the crowd.

Keeping the layout of the CV neat, clear and consistent along with correct grammar and spelling are CRUCIAL. Sarah Hurley, Buyer and Head Office recruiter, has a clear idea about what makes a good CV “Keep it simple. My ideal CV has a personal profile that sums the candidate up and describes the main objective for their career, followed by career summary, education, IT skills and the relevant interests.” Sarah also adds a small important point for jobseekers, “put CVs in Word format, not PDF as they can be difficult to format if we need to”.

However, there is no point having a great-looking CV if the content isn’t solid. Head of Fashion and Non-Food, Aislinn Lea explains her number one turn-off when it comes to CVs. “ Not too many jumps on their CV is the main thing I would be conscious of.” If you do have gaps or jumps on your CV, be prepared to explain them, both positively and honestly.

Sean Thomas, from our grocery desk and Nikki Murran, head of our Grocery department look for similar things when screening CVs. Sean says “good longevity and career progression with good company brands names, that are leaders in their markets . Nikki also stresses the importance of longevity, “ I look for strong brand progression and longevity in each role.”

Quote concrete examples of your successes in previous roles such as to support your claims. For example, “This increased profit by 2%” or “This led to a reduction in overheads from €23,000 to €17,000 per year”.

Remember, you never get a second chance at a first impression so make your C.V the best it can be and give your job search the best possible start.

National Hospitality Awards 2016

National Hospitality Awards 2016 – Winners

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

The 11th annual National Hospitality Awards took place on November 7th in The Intercontinental Hotel in Ballsbridge Dublin. A winner in the Best Business Hotel category, The Intercontinental was host to the best hospitality businesses across the country. The National Hospitality Awards, held in association with Hospitality Ireland magazine also featured speakers David O’Hare (Bru Brewery) Daragh Anglim (Head of Marketing for Fáilte Ireland) and Declan Maxwell (Luna).

Overall Winners

  • Best Boutique Hotel – Tankardstown
  • Best Business Hotel – InterContinental Dublin
  • Best Casual Dining – The Washerwoman
  • Best Catering Job – Aramark – PWC
  • Best Catering Suppliers – General – Pallas Foods
  • Best Catering Suppliers – Specialists – Keelings
  • Best City Hotel – Hayfield Manor
  • Best Cocktail Bar – Vintage Cocktail Club
  • Best Customer Service – The Dylan
  • Best Destination Hotel – Sheen Falls Lodge
  • Best Dining Experience – Mulberry Gardens
  • Best Drinks Supplier – Diageo
  • Best Hotel Bar – Ashford Castle – The Prince of Wales Bar
  • Best Hotel Restaurant – Inis Meáin Restaurant & Suites
  • Best Local Restaurant – The Twelve MacNean House
  • Best New Establishment – Farrier & Draper
  • Best Nightclub – The Wright Venue
  • Best Overall Hotel – The Europe Hotel & Resort
  • Best Overall Restaurant – Loam
  • Best Pub – Stags Head
  • Best Pub with Food – The Oarsman
  • Best Resort Hotel – Ashford Castle
  • Best Seafood Restaurant – O’Grady on the Pier
  • Best Sporting Pub – The Back Page
  • Best Traditional Pub – Toner’s
  • Best Value Hotel – Garryvoe Hotel
  • Best Wine List – The Twelve Hotel
  • Best Hotel Group – Dalata Hotel Group

 

REI Awards 2016

Retail Excellence Awards 2016 – Winners

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

The Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2016 took place in The Radisson Blu, Co Galway on November 5th. The largest awards programme of its type, boasting over 600 total entries annually, the REI awards recognise the best in Irish retail. The awards programme is the largest event of the retail calendar and recognises the professionalism and innovation of companies, stores, websites and individuals in the retail industry. Excel Recruitment were delighted to see so many of our Grocery, Fashion and Non-Food clients recognised as finalists, as well as many winners across the category range, with our full retail team in attendance. Established in 1995, REI has over 1,620 leading retail companies who operate more than 13,000 stores in Ireland and is the largest retail industry body in Ireland.

Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2016 – Winners

Rising of The Year – Emma Cooke – Springmount Garden Centre.

Best Website of The Year – Carroll’s Irish Gift Store.

Consumer Choice Awards – Scally SuperValu, Clonakilty.

Best Supermarket Award 2017 – Smiths SuperValu Kinsale.

National Store of The Year – Greenacres Co. Wexford.

Best Forecourt of The Year 2017 – Applegreen.

Garden/DIY Centre of The Year – Arboretum Garden Centre.

Specialist Food Store of The Year 2017 – Greenacres Co. Wexford.

Best New Website – Compu B.

Best Digital Campaign of the Year – Inglot Ireland.

Rising Star of the Year – Agata from IKEA Ireland.

Top 5 Store Status.

  • Arboretum Garden Centre.
  • Greenacres Co Wexford.
  • Kilkenny Shop.
  • Tile Style.
  • Matthew Stevens.

Supplier of The Year – StudioForty9.

Manager of The Year – Colin Curtis – Harvey Norman.

Friendliest Place – Navan, Co Meath.

Hotel Salary Survey 2016

Posted on | by admin

Shane McLave, General Manager of Excel Recruitment, shares the findings of our company’s recent survey of salary scales in the four star hotel sector.

Overseas visitors to Ireland, as reported by Fáilte Ireland, grew to 7.9 million for 2015, which represents 11% growth on 2014. Record breaking occupancy levels for Dublin and Galway were reported in 2015 and more than 60 hotel properties, with a total value of more than €700m, changed hands in Ireland during 2015. These are just some of the statistics that reflect the positive outlook for the Irish hospitality industry. It also means that demand for a pool of quality potential employees has never been higher. This is good news for recruitment agency Excel Recruitment but the findings of their recent survey of salary scales in the four star hotel sector reveals some worrying trends about the way in which staff shortages are being addressed and the relationship between salary scales and chef shortages in particular.

If you would like to discuss any of the finding you can contact us here. You can view all Hospitality jobs with Excel Recruitment here.

2016 Hotel Salary Survey

Underrated Work Skills That Progress Your Career

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Have a CV that shines on paper but somehow feel you are still not reaching your career goals? It could be worth taking a look at some of the following less obvious and often underrated work skills to see how you measure up. A team worker with a strong work ethic and good communication skills. These top the list on every job specification we see when it comes to core skills. These core skills required by employers, whilst topping the list, are really only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the range of work skills that are invaluable in today’s workplace.Research by the Mayo Clinic in the US identified lower-rated work skills that resulted in more promotions and career success.

Here are some examples:

  1. Be positive

Positivity is a real plus. Displaying positivity when working in a pressurised environment or on a difficult assignment is going to be appreciated. Someone who has a positive attitude and engages with other team members and customers in a positive way. This will lead to work success.

If you’re not always as positive as you think you should be, there are ways to improve this. The Mayo Clinic listed habits that can help build this key skill. They include:

  • Check yourself for negativity often
  • Be open to humour
  • Live a healthy lifestyle
  • Keep the company of positive people
  • Practise positive self-talk
  1. Influence

The ability to influence is the ability to motivate people to do whatever you need them to do without forcing them to do it. This is an invaluable skill that will lead to promotion. The best team leaders will be able to motivate their teams organically. True influencers are looked up to, not feared. To develop this skill, you need to lead by example and inspire the team by being the first into action no matter what the challenge is.

  1. Concise communication

We all know that many employers highly regard great communication skills, but your ability to communicate concisely and effectively is the real differentiator here. People who can make a point in as few words as possible or as little paper are time-efficient, and they can explain anything quickly. To develop this skill, practise trimming the ‘fat’ off your communication. This includes unnecessary details, adverbs and adjectives that dress up a sentence but don’t add any real value. The remaining message should include all of the important details to be conveyed in as few words as possible. This is particularly invaluable when communicating with senior management, who simply don’t have the time to wade through information.

  1. Inward networking

When we talk about networking we think in terms of growing a base of contacts within an industry. For instance, if you need to move job, you’ll have contacts in other companies. But getting to know the people within your current organisation, professionally and socially, can really pay off. Go out of your way to make friends and build a network within your organisation. Having a network of co-workers routing for you will not go unnoticed.

  1. A high ‘emotional quotient’

Being especially adept at reading and understanding others’ emotions is a highly valued, but vastly underrated, job skill. We all know the millennial workforce loves leaders with a high EQ, which leads those who possess it to be promoted into managerial positions. That’s because managers with a high EQ will know how to get the most out of their staff in any industry. Improve this key skill by learning to objectively identify your own emotions and how they affect your behaviour. You can then apply this knowledge to identify co-workers’ emotions, how to empathise with them and work with them towards agreeable outcomes. This leads to a better working environment and a more productive one.

  1. Mindfulness

You may or may not know what mindfulness is already and wonder how this could relate to the workplace. You may think yoga or mindfulness meditation can be used as a way to deal with workplace stress, but as a work skill? Think again. Mindfulness is simply the practice of engaging fully in the moment. Being in the present fully. Studies show that this is a vital job skill that can improve your productivity and decision-making. You can practice mindfulness simply by engaging fully in the moment or the task at hand.

Keeling Gold Medal Awards 2016

Posted on | by admin

The Keeling Gold Medal Awards took place on September 27th 2016 in Lyrath Estate Co. Kilkenny. Now in their 28th year, The Gold Medal Awards are regarded as the leading independent awards within Irish Hospitality. Presented by Hotel and Catering Review, the night recognises excellence across all catering operations, including Hotels, Restaurants, Guest Houses, Spa’s and Leisure Facilities. A nomination is seen as a benchmark of excellence, with the awards becoming more contested year on year.

Excel Recruitment were delighted to sponsor the Industrial Caterer category, awarded to The Pavilion located at The University of Limericks North Campus. It was a pleasure to see so many of our clients duly rewarded for the hard work and excellence in their respective class. Our Hospitality Team as ever were in strong numbers on the night.

Ireland’s City Hotel – Public Vote

  • Absolute Hotel Limerick
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • Limerick Strand Hotel
  • Morrison A DoubleTree By Hilton
  • The G Hotel
  • The Glasshouse
  • The River Lee
  • The Westbury

Winner: The Westbury Dublin

 

European Restaurant

  • Boqueria
  • Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley
  • La Bucca Dunboyne
  • La Bucca Ratoath
  • Talavera – Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel
  • Ristorante Rinuccini
  • Toscana Restaurant Dame St

Winner: Ristorante Rinuccini

 

Event Caterer of the Year

  • John Coughlan Catering – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
  • John Coughlan Catering – Irish Golf Open
  • Masterchefs Hospitality
  • Seasons at Guinness Storehouse

Winner: John Coughlan Catering – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

 

Ireland’s Business Hotel sponsored by Corporate Catering Services

  • Absolute Hotel Limerick
  • Clarion Hotel Cork
  • Clayton Hotel Leopardstown
  • Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport
  • Crowne Plaza Dublin-Blanchardstown
  • Limerick Strand Hotel
  • The Croke Park
  • The Gibson hotel

Winner: Crowne Plaza Dublin

 

Ireland’s Chef of the Year sponsored by Pallas Foods

  • Boqueria
  • Carrig Country House & Restaurant
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Limerick Strand Hotel
  • MacNean House & Restaurant
  • Pickle Restaurant
  • Wild Honey Inn
  • Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland

Winner: David Hurley at Gregans Castle Hotel

 

Ireland’s Family Friendly Hotel – Public Vote

  • Diamond Coast Hotel
  • Dingle Skellig Hotel
  • Fota Island Resort
  • Galway Bay Hotel
  • Hotel Westport
  • The Dunloe
  • The Garryvoe Hotel
  • The Newpark Hotel with Escape Health Club & Aveda Spa

Winner: The Dunloe

 

Ireland’s Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year

  • Carrig Country House & Restaurant
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • MacNean House & Restaurant
  • Mount Juliet Estate
  • Ristorante Rinuccini
  • Tankardstown House
  • The Mustard Seed

Winner: Mount Juliet Estate

 

Ireland’s Five Star Hotel sponsored by Noel Recruitment

  • Ashford Castle
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa
  • Park Hotel Kenmare
  • The Europe Hotel & Resort
  • The G Hotel
  • The Killarney Park Hotel
  • Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Ireland

Winner: Ashford Castle

 

Ireland’s Healthcare Caterer

  • Milford Care Centre
  • St John of God Hospital
  • St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
  • The Q Cafe Company Limited @ Santry Sports Clinic
  • The Ulster Independent Clinic

Winner: The Q Cafe Company Limited

 

Ireland’s Industrial Caterer sponsored by Excel Recruitment

  • Catering Department at TCD
  • Clongowes Wood College
  • KSG Group at University College Dublin
  • Pavillion at UL
  • St Columba’s College

Winner: Pavillion at UL

 

People’s Choice Awards – Ireland’s Favourite Place To Eat

  • Avenue by Nick Munier
  • Boqueria
  • Pickle Restaurant
  • Raw Food Rebellion

Winner: Boqueria

 

Ireland’s Site Contract Caterer sponsored by Keelings Farm Fresh

  • Catering Department at TCD
  • Corporate Catering Services Ltd @ Regeneron
  • EMC Information Systems International
  • ISS Catering at HPE Galway
  • KSG Group at Microsoft
  • Sodexo, PayPal
  • Sodexo @ VHI, Kilkenny
  • The Q Cafe Company @ Eurofound

Winner: Sodexo

 

Ireland’s Three Star Hotel

  • Carrickdale Hotel & Spa
  • Claregalway Hotel
  • Conyngham Arms Hotel
  • Dingle Benners Hotel
  • Killeen House Hotel & Rozzers Restaurant
  • The Ardagh Hotel & Restaurant
  • The Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort
  • The Riverside Hotel Sligo

Winner: Killeen House Hotel

 

Ireland’s Hotel Spa – Five Star sponsored by Sodexo

  • Ashford Castle
  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Lough Eske Castle, a Solis Hotel & Spa
  • Muckross Park Hotel 7 Spa
  • Park Hotel Kenmare
  • The Europe Hotel & Resort
  • The G Hotel

Winner: The Europe Hotel & Resort

 

Ireland’s Hotel Spa – Four Star

  • Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa
  • Galgorm Resort & Spa
  • Hodson Bay Hotel
  • Ice House Hotel
  • Kelly’s Resort Hotel
  • Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa
  • Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel
  • The Brehon

Winner: Galgorm Resort and Spa

 

Ireland’s Wine Experience sponsored by Febvre & Company

  • Ashford Castle
  • Harvey’s Point Hotel
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • Hodson Bay Hotel
  • House wine and taproom
  • Ice House Hotel
  • MacNean House & Restaurant
  • Ristorante Rinuccini

Winner: Hayfield Manor Hotel

 

Ireland’s Four Star Hotel

  • Armada Hotel
  • Harvey’s Point Hotel
  • Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa
  • Mount Falcon Estate
  • Mount Juliet Estate
  • Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel
  • The Lodge at Ashford Castle
  • Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort

Winner: Mount Juliet Estate

 

Ireland’s Front of House Team/Team Member

  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Armada Hotel
  • Ashford Castle
  • Carrickdale Hotel & Spa
  • Castle Leslie Estate
  • Corporate Catering Services Ltd @ IMI
  • Dunraven Arms Hotel
  • Gregans Castle Hotel

Winner: John Burke – Armada Hotel

 

Ireland’s Hotel Breakfast – Public Vote

  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Brook Lane Hotel
  • Castle Leslie Estate
  • Dunraven Arms Hotel
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Moy House
  • Park Hotel Kenmare

Winner: Castle Leslie Estate

 

Ireland’s Wedding Venue – Public Vote

  • Armada Hotel
  • Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Castle Leslie Estate
  • Dromoland Castle Hotel
  • Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens
  • Fota Island Resort
  • Tankardstown House
  • The Brehon
  • The Garryvoe Hotel

Winner: Ballygarry House Hotel and Spa

 

Ireland’s Casual Dining Experience

  • Anocht Restaurant
  • Boqueria
  • Fitzpatricks Bar and Restaurant
  • Hayfield Manor Hotel
  • La Bucca Ashbourne
  • La Bucca Ratoath
  • Randaddy’s Taste of Adventure
  • Saba Restaurant
  • Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel
  • Toscana Restaurant Dame St

Winner: Anocht Restaurant

 

Ireland’s Country House & Guest House Experience

  • Ard na Sidhe Country House
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Carrig Country House & Restaurant
  • Castlewood House
  • Gregans Castle Hotel
  • Moy House
  • Tankardstown House
  • The Mustard Seed

Winner: Castlewood House

 

Ireland’s Guest Experience sponsored by Robert Roberts

  • Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa
  • Ballyseede Castle
  • Ballyvolane House
  • Crowne Plaza Dublin-Blanchardstown
  • Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa
  • Killeen House Hotel & Rozzers Restaurant
  • Mount Falcon Estate
  • Moy House

Winner: Crown Plaza – Blanchardstown

  • Service To The Industry Winner – Lee Kidney – Mespil Hotel
  • Overall Supreme Winner – Mount Juliet Estate

 

 

Grocery Salary Survey 2016

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

Excel Recruitment have been recruiting for the Irish Grocery Market for over 15 years. Our Grocery Team is comprised of former Grocery Managers who know the industry inside out. This guide was is designed to give our clients and candidates a guide as to the current market prices for the various roles within the Irish Grocery market.

If you would like to discuss any of our findings , need advice on your manpower, planning, or assistance with your recruitment needs please feel free to contact our Grocery team here.

Our past Retail Salary Survey covering aspects of Grocery, as well as Non-Food, Fashion and FMCG is available here. All Grocery Jobs with Excel Recruitment are available here.

2016 Grocery Salary Survey

Tips for Interview Presentations

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

SWOT Analysis and Powerpoint presentations are increasingly demanded by employers during the interview stage. Nikki Murran, Head of Grocery Retail at Excel Recruitment wrote this blog as a source to help her candidates prepare for a variety of different job interviews. At Excel Recruitment, we prepare candidates daily for interviews across all areas of Retail. For more useful tips you can visit our blog here.

Prepare

The age-old classic and the most important piece of advice. Don’t leave it to the last minute, as this only heightens the pressure you will already feel during the interview process. Give yourself amply time to prepare a solid presentation that allows for re-writes and changes.

Who are you presenting too?

Don’t assume and always ask. It isn’t always the case that the audience or person you are addressing is disclosed. Your presentation needs to engage, and address the right points.

How should I research?

There is so much readily available information at the click of a button. At the very minimum you should browse the company website and social media pages to establish company culture and company news.

Structure of presentation

The most common and advisable structure that we at Excel would recommend is thinking about this in 3 steps.

The Rule of Three

  1. Introduction or aims of presentation.
  2. Presentation content, broken down across three main points.
  3. Surmise your presentation and finish with a memorable statement.

Alternatively, a ‘Four Point’ structure can be used.

Four Point Presentations

While very much favoured in a sales environment, this structure can be made applicable for any interview.

  1. The why (Needs, resources, Relevance)
  2. What about? (Provides more information)
  3. How? (How it will work)
  4. What if? Looking into the future.

Whatever structure you decide on, understand that your opening statement needs to be memorable, and you need to engage your audience with impact, from your introduction.

What content?

This is the big question. Content is king.

  • Avoid filler and waffle. Just don’t include it.
  • What exactly are the asking you to present on? Grasp the keywords of the presentation title, build and elaborate on these. Stay focused on what they want you to address. This will help you demonstrate that you understand the position and company.
  • What innovation, knowledge and new ideas can you bring?
  • What can you as a potential new employee bring that will make a measurable difference, in terms of market position, sales and growth and competitive advantage.
  • What is your USP (Unique selling point)? What wow factor sets you apart?

Powerpoint

Like marmite. Some love, some hate it. While your content and USP is crucial, presentation is also very important.

If you do have an understanding towards Powerpoint, we recommend utilising it. Do choose what feels right however and what you believe will work with the audience.

If you do choose to use Powepoint:

  • We would suggest a max on 6/8 slides.
  • However much you put on a slide, make sure it is easily readable by your audience.
  • Keep it simple, you’re marked for knowledge rather than graphic presentation.
  • Utilise the notes section and concentrate on putting the main point on the slides. (see below)
  • Practice, then practice more. You want to ensure you are comfortable with content, your delivery and doing both of these in the stated time.
  • Reading the slides word for word can frustrate your audience and isolate them. Avoid focusing your eyes solely on the presentation.

Powerpoint Example

Practicalities

Presentation copies – ”I prefer to email my presentation a couple of days before so the company can load it up and print copies for the audience. If you have decided to use pictures with just the odd word, then obviously it’s not necessary. If you decide to do this you can mail it back directly to us and we will forward it on for you. I would recommend printing a few copies of the presentation and handing them out on the day – sometimes technology just adds to nerves! ”

——- Nikki Murran

Back-up – Technology being what it is- take a backup copy of your presentation on another USB stick.

Clothes and delivery

Suitable clothing is a given. Most of us have an interview outfit we favour. Try it on and make sure it fits and avoid anything you are hesitant towards.

  • Sip water before to avoid dry mouth.
  • Deliver the presentation standing up- unless there is a good reason you can’t.
  • Avoid jokes, unless you are 100% confident you will pull it off and it is in the tone of the presentation.
  • Smile, relax and engage.
  • Address the whole room rather than focusing on an individual.
  • Don’t speak too quickly and avoid excessive hand movements.
  • Sound enthusiastic, passionate and however nervous, try to enjoy it.

Nikki

 

This blog was written by Nikki Murran, Head of Grocery Retail at Excel Recruitment. View Nikki’s profile here and all her live jobs in Grocery Retail here.

The Chef Crisis : Opinion Piece

Posted on | by admin

It has been widely publicised in the media that the shortage of chefs is approaching crisis point. One thing that we’ve noticed while surveying, is that in many cases this shortage can be traced back to the pay scale for Chef de Parties.

In most cases a Chef de Partie will have completed 2/3 years in College and spent an average of 4/6 years working in kitchens. Yet a large majority of establishments are paying a rate of €12 per hour for CDP. In most cases this is an annual salary, so a Chef working 45 hours a week will take home an hourly rate of pay of just €10.40 per hour.

I last worked as a Chef de Partie 16 years ago. I was on £12 an hour, old money at the time. In the last 16 years the minimum wage has increased several times. There is now, justifiable, a strong movement being led by a large group of chefs. Utilising the power of social media they are pushing for a minimum wage of €15 p/h for Chef de Partie. This in my mind would go a long way towards solving the existing chef shortage.

Shane McLave – June 2016

SWOT analysis and templates

Posted on | by Aisling Rafferty

A SWOT Analysis/Matrix has become a common prerequisite for interviews. A SWOT analysis allows an employer to quickly ascertain the candidates understanding of their business, and the practical changes they could potentially bring.

An acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, a SWOT analysis requires candidates to structure their planning methods, evaluating the business and shedding light on the opportunities and potential threats faced by businesses.

 

Strengths and Weaknesses are internal to the company.

Opportunities and Threats are external.

Strengths

(Internal / Positive Factors / Within Your Control)

Strengths will describe the positive, internal factors of the company that are within your control.

Questions to address

  1. What is done well?
  2. What advantage do you have versus competitors?
  3. What factors add value or pitch the company above the rest?
  4. People power. Are there influencers within the business, setting the pace verse other companies?
  5. Think about location, distribution channels, education, training etc.

Weaknesses

(Internal / Negative Factors / Within Your Control)

These are to address aspects of the business that detract value. They need to be addressed and tackled in order to improve competitiveness, talent retention and to gain competitive advantage.

Questions to address

  1. What areas need improvement?
  2. What does the business lack, relative to competitors?
  3. What factors are within your control to change?
  4. Can you do anything better?
  5. What causes problems or complaints?

Opportunities

(External / Positive Factors)

Here you will identify external, positive factors that will add value to the business and make it prosper.

Questions to address

  1. Local events that can/will add value?
  2. Would you benefit from targeted marketing, social media or promotional techniques?
  3. Factors relating to the market.
  4. Seasonal and trends specific to the business.

Threats

(External / Negative Factors)

Threats will be external factors beyond your control and that could be potential risks to business. While they cannot be controlled, they can be contained in advance and SWOT analysis will identify contingency plans that can be put to action.

  1. What are your competitors doing?
  2. What obstacles face your business?
  3. Are there shifts in consumer behaviour, economy, local/national government etc?
  4. Are there any changes in products, services or technology that may threaten you?

Internal Factors include

Financial resources

Human resources

Physical resources

Any access to natural resources

External Factors include

Market trends, technology and new products

Economic trends, local and national

Demographics

Strengths and Weaknesses tend to be analysis of present factors, while opportunities and threats are in the future

After your SWOT

Once you have completed a SWOT analysis, develop short and long term strategies from it. Use your effort and the results to develop strategies which will envelop and maximise positivity within the business and minimise the negative ones.

  • Split into short and long term.
  • Concentrate on what should be addresses immediately and action this.
  • What needs to be further researched?
  • What needs to be planned further?

The below are templates which you are free to download and edit. We highly recommend concentrating on the quality of the content above all else. From feedback, clients appreciate the personalised touch. Photos of individual stores and the specific brand are encouraged to get you SWOT analysis across.

Download SWOT Analysis templates

Word format

PDF format

Powerpoint format