CHAPTER VIII

STRENGTH, WEAKNESS, OPPORTUNITIES, & THREATS

ANALYSIS

Every business entity needs to determine the strength and weaknesses of their

company/ business and the possible opportunities and threats the business has to face.

In determining it, this would help them to find a solution on how to turn those weaknesses

into a strength and to minimize risks and maximize potentiality of the business to become

viable.

SWOT Analysis stands for Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats. It is a

strategic planning tool for an organization to help them identify the internal and external

factors that could affect the company’s operation and performance. Strengths and

weaknesses are the internal factors, while opportunities and threats are the external

factors. Strengths are the company’s edge over their competitors and its unique

characteristics. Weaknesses are the part of the business entity that needs improvement

and an action plan within the company to resolve it. Opportunities are the external factor

of the company. Like possible customers, for the profitable organization and

respondents/participants for the non-profit organization or the companies that offer

service for free. Threats are the competitors and unforeseen events like storms that could

affect the operation of the company.

This chapter shows the SWOT Analysis of the proposed mobile school for the

underprivileged youth of Brgy. Alumnos, Basak San Nicholas, Cebu City as shown below.

Followed by its interpretation, conversion of unfavorable factors to more favorable ones

and matching of opportunities with strengths in order to construct an effective operational

and financial strategies which best suit the proposed study.

Figure 15

SWOT Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses
• Supported by an • Bus is available upon
organization request
• Mobile (Bus) is • Cannot accommodate
provided by the school large number of
• Program schedule is Convert participants in one
based on the session.
respondents choice • Limited reach
• Lack Source of
Funding
MATCH

Opportunities Threats
• Supportive local • Highly dependent on
communities donors
• Attracts potential Convert • Lack of marketing skils
donors while
conducting the study
 STRENGTHS

Supported by an organization

USJ-R Mobile School is supported by one of the organizations in USJ-R which is the

Junior Jaycees (JJC) USJ-R Chapter. The volunteers that will act as teachers for the

proposed program are the members of the organization. They also adopt the proposed

study as one of their outreach programs.

Mobile(Bus) is provided by the school

The bus used in the proposed study is from USJ-R INFECOP. The primary

purpose of the bus is for their Win On Waste (WOW) Program. Since the bus is still on

standby, the property custodian of USJ-R decided to lend the bus to the proponents since

they have the same objective, and that is to help others by educating them.

Program schedule is based on the respondents’ choice

The proponents want to make sure that all the respondents can attend to their

program. That’s why they conducted a survey on what is the respondents preferred time

in attending the program. They aim to make their respondents comfortable while attending

to their program since the time is their choice. They want to make the respondents feel

that they are their priority.

WEAKNESSES

Bus is available upon request

The bus is borrowed by the proponents from the school. They use the bus in

conducting outreach program like educating people in some barangays on how to

conserve our environment, and they have feeding programs. They also use the bus as
an Eco-library and Rescue reliefs. Since the proponents don’t own the bus, they have to

always make a request to use the bus for their program.

Cannot accommodate large number of participants in one session

The bus contains all the tools and materials used in conducting the program. Thus,

it occupies space in the bus. Also, they will conduct the teaching program inside the bus.

Only four volunteers are assigned to each session. Thus, they can only accommodate

limited participants per session due to the lack of space and facilitators.

Limited Reach

The location where the program will be held is quite hard to reach especially during

rainy days. Because it is reclamation area and it floods easily even just a light rainfall.

Some areas are surrounded by water and the bus and volunteers cannot reach them. The

researcher limits their respondents to those who they can reach. This may affect the

possible increase of participants.

Lack Source of Funding

The program is in its introductory stage and not widely known to the community.

Due to this, it is difficult to find a donor who will fund the program for it to progress and

operate. The program should be endorsed at all times.

OPPORTUNITIES

Supportive local communities

The chosen community that will benefit the program is in Brgy. Alumnos, Basak

San Nicholas, Cebu City. The barangay officials and residents are really open to the idea

of having a program like the researchers offer in their community. In fact, some of the
community leaders help the researchers to locate those families that could really benefit

the program. With the help of the community, the proponents easily attract respondents.

Attracts potential donors while conducting the study

Nowadays, it is easy to gain attention if it is documented and posted online, because

people are now making the online world as a “main source” of news. They tend to

communicate using the internet. Doing documentations very session of the program could

attract potential donors who are willing to help sustain the program.

THREATS

Highly dependent on the donors

The proposed study is an outreach program and it is non-profit. This kind of study

is highly dependent on the donations. Without the donations, the program cannot

progress, and it may stop from operating if the researchers cannot sustain the

expense of the project.

Lack of Marketing Skills

Almost all the outreach program nowadays is connected to big companies. They advertise

their program through word of mouth, internet, and also during their gatherings. This

makes competing with the other programs more difficult because having advertisement

is costly.
 CONVERTING WEAKNESS INTO STRENGTH

Starting an outreach program is not easy. It really needs attention so that it won’t

fall or become unsustainable. It may also have several weaknesses that could affect the

operation of the project. These weaknesses may not be totally eliminated, but at least

reduced in some parts that could make the project feasible.

One of its weakness is that they cannot accommodate a large number of

participants in one session. The proponents should then find an alternative way to

accommodate a large number of participants. They may be find a place that can

accommodate them. They can also assign more volunteers to take charge in guiding the

participants.

On the other hand, they lack the source of funding to provide money for the

expenses of the program. The proponents should spend the money from contributions

wisely. They should allocate the budget well, so that they won’t be short and still have

money to spend in all their expenses. They should also continue to find possible donors

to sustain the program.

CONVERTING OF THREATS TO OPPORTUNITIES

The existence of competitors in a market is inevitable. Especially nowadays,

companies have to own outreach programs However, this provides an opportunity for the

proposed project to develop marketing strategies that will distinguish it from pre-existing

programs.
 The project is highly dependent on donors outside the program. They should

communicate and attract more donors that are willing to sustain and help them with their

study. Sending letters to them could possible help the researchers attract and encouraged

donors to give contributions. Also, the proponents need not to pay expensive advertising

fees if they will show up personally to the possible donors and make a deal.

MATCHING OPPORTUNITIES WITH STRENGTH

In order to maximize a business’ potential, it is important to match its strengths

with existing market opportunities in order to strengthen the hold on the market and further

improve its performance.

The project received some support from some organization and people that could

help to make the project viable for the long run. The proposed study could help the less

fortunate children and also those who are struggling with their studies for free.

In this generation youth gives importance to education. They are willing to

participate in every opportunity given to learn new things. Youth today wants to be

successful, which the proposed mobile school can help them. The program may not be

credited if the participants will proceed to a regular school, but this could help them with

their lessons. They can apply what they learn from the program to their school works.

The success of the program greatly relies on the donor’s contributions to continuously

improve and adapt according to the constantly changing market prices. Advantages must

always be used up to its full potential.