SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
Laura Chan’s knowledge, passion and determination
Unqualified therapists (lines 65-66)
Laura’s informal network created through social networking sites such as
Andrew’s lack of experience (lines 90-92)
Facebook and Twitter (lines 10-11)
Laura’s popular blog (line 14)
Neil’s experience as an educational consultant and advisor (lines 20-22)
Neil’s skills and expertise to set up and run a business (line 28)
No debtsSteady surplus being made (Appendix 1)
Good supply of cheap labour (lines 61-63)
Demand for therapist scheme rising rapidly - doubled every month for the
first 6 months (lines 77-79)Andrew’s empathy and celebrity status (lines
89-90)
Reach Out well-known regionally (line 125)
Reliance on informal communication (line 94)
Customer complaints (lines 98-99)
Communication barriers between Andrew and Neil (lines 101-102)
Conflict between Neil and Laura (lines 109-118)
Problems with communication systems (Appendix 2)
Problems with management systems (Appendix 2)
Problems with staffing (Appendix 2)
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
PECS cards USP - lower prices (line 52)
Economic recession – impact on donations and therapist scheme (line146)
Option 1: Modify the pricing strategy of the therapist scheme (lines 121-124)
Changes in teaching course requirements could negatively impact
Option 2: Develop a family brand for Reach Out (lines 125-132)
labour supply
Option 3: Obtain sponsorship (lines 133-141)
Legal issues, concerning health and safety and child protection (line 66)
Families might withdraw from the scheme because of issues with Andrew
and some therapists (lines 98-99)
Laura’s unsure about her control and the future growth of Reach Out (lines
156-159)