SWOT vs. SWAT

Recently on Highways & Byways…

From the BUSINESS section: SWOT vs. SWAT

By Drew Crosby

In yesterday’s Business segment I discussed the SWOT analysis. While pronounced the same way, it has absolutely nothing to do with (nada que ver con) the 70’s TV series SWAT, or as we call it here in Spain, “los hombres de Harrelson.”

Here’s the difference:

- SWAT stands for (significa) Specials Weapons and Tactics.



- SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.



In the TV series SWAT, the unit’s leader, Lieutentant (Teniente) “Hondo” Harrelson, established objectives and gathered information to determine his team’s strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats for overcoming (para vencer) everything from serial killers to petty thieves (ladrones de poca monta).

In short (en definitiva), he performed a SWOT for his SWAT team.

In business, we perform a SWOT analysis to draw up (elaborar) plans, make decisions and plan marketing decisions.

I first learned it in Spanish as DAFO: deficiencias, amenazas, fortalezas y oportunidades.

If Lt. (Tte.) Harrelson’s SWAT team benefitted from a SWOT, your team can surely benefit from one as well!