AND WEAKNESSES
A strengths and weaknesses analysis is incomplete, unless it also considers opportunities and threats present in a company's external environment. Strengths and weaknesses are related to a company's internal environment. The company's strengths and weaknesses are first assessed in the form of a company capability profile. This profile is presented in Chart 1, which may be found on the following page.
As the information presented in Chart 1 indicates, Hewlett Packard is a strong company, regardless of the focus of the assessment. Its management is top notch; it is one of the more competitive firms in the computer and peripherals industry
(Niemond, 1989); the company is strong financially (Niemond, 1989a); and it is a technological leader.
Company Capability Profile: Hewlett Packard
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Profile
Function Weak Normal Strong
Management x
Competitive x
Financial x
Technical x
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The company's strengths and weaknesses are assessed against the opportunities and threats present in its external environment through a WOTS UP analysis. The WOTS UP analysis is presented in Chart 2, which may be found on the following page.
Hewlett Packard is in a strong position to take advantage of the opportunities available in its external environment. The company is also in a good position to weather the predicted minicomputer recession, as it has de...