SWOT Analysis (Strength , Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) Analysis (வலிமை, பலவீனம், வாய்ப்பு, அபாயம்) – பகுப்பாய்வு

The success of any organisation depends upon careful analysis of its strong points, inherent weakness, opportunities available for exploitation and  threat. The brilliant poet had covered all these aspects in the following Couplets. He advises basic requirements before embarking upon a task or a project.

Strength ( வலிமை )

The sage defines strength as the strength or relevance of the task, competency existing with self and strength of the rivals (competitors) in that field, as well as strength of friends (from whom help can be sought in case of need) before embarking on a new task or a project. 

வினைவலியும் தன்வலியும் மாற்றான் வலியும்
துணைவலியும் தூக்கிச் செயல் (471 )

Vinai Valiyum Thanvaiyum Maatraan Valiyum
Thunaivaliyum Thookkich Cheyal.

செயலின்  சக்தி, தன்னுடைய பலம், எதிரியின்  வீரியம், நண்பர்களின்  வலிமை ஆகியவற்றை நன்காறாய்ந்த பிறகே  செயலில்  இறங்க வேண்டும்.

One must assess the power of the task, strength available with self  to achieve the objective, competitor’s  strength in the field and support available from friends ( in case of need) before embarking upon the task or project.  

Weakness ( பலவீனம்)

The strength of any organization cannot be same at all places and in all areas. What is applicable in one country or location may not be suitable for other, owing to the cultural difference, weather, people’s mind set, Rules and regulations of Government in charge, political set up etc. Hence, a concern, when planning to expand in to other territory should study the major differences that confront the company and make suitable adjustments. A company will have enormous strength in one product/ area being it’s core competency and can utterly fail in new venture.  It is a beautiful analogy comparing two objects extremely strong in it’s home turf but utterly weak in another area. This is a strong message to everyone intending to relocate or expand the business beyond their comfort zone. One solid example is the case of the highly successful retail chain stores Wallmart is yet to taste success in china though it is highly successful in USA and all other countries.

கடல் ஒடா கால்வல் நெடுந்தேர்; கடல் ஓடும்
நாவாயும் ஓடா நிலத்து (496)

Kadal Oada Kaalvl Nedunther Kadal Oadum
Naavayum Oada Nilaththu

வலிமையான சக்கரங்கள் பூட்டிய பெரிய தேர் கடலில் செல்ல இயலாது ; அது  போலவே கடலில் விரைந்து செல்லும் கப்பலால் நிலத்தில் ஓட முடியாது

The mighty chariot with strong wheels can not be driven in sea; same way, the sailing ship on the  sea cannot be propelled on the land.

OPPORTUNITY (வாய்ப்பு)

Innovation ( புதுமை)

This couplet exhorts the CEO, is to constantly look for new opportunities and utilize it for betterment of the company despite difficulties. There is a saying “ opportunity is never lost; Someone else takes it”. There is also another saying that “opportunity never knocks the door twice”. Many miss opportunity as they fail to recognize it as opportunity in the first place. Some develop cold feet, if they encounter difficulty during execution of the task and conclude it would be insurmountable. Nature bless only the brave. Google and Apple depend mainly on innovation and introduce unique products or services at regular intervals to keep themselves ahead of competitors. Well analysed problem is in fact is opportunity in disguise. As one in lighter vein commented “opportunities do come; only problem is, they are never punctual!”
Hence, one must always be equipped himself to utilize any opportunity that may come at any time.   

எய்தற்கு அரியது இயந்தக்கால் அந்நிலையே
செய்தற்கு அரிய செயல் (489)
  

Eytharkku Ariyathu Iyanthakkaal Annilaiye
Saitharku Ariya Seyal.

கிடைப்பதற்குதற்கு அரிய வாய்ப்பு வாய்க்குமானால்,உடனேயே, செயல் கடினமாக  இருப்பினும், சிறப்பாக செய்து முடிக்க வேண்டும்.         

         

Opportunity is a rare occurrence. However, when it comes along,one should grab the same and carry out the task in an unique manner, even if it appears  near to impossibility.      

Timing (தக்க சமயம்)

This couplet reinstates the message conveyed in the earlier ‘Kural’ and stresses the importance of identifying the opportunity and timing as well as the need for preparedness. There is saying that ‘when preparedness meets opportunity success results”. In this couplet, the great sage categorically declares that nothing is impossible to achieve if perfect timing and proper means are put together.

அருவினை என்ப உளவோ கருவியான்
காலம் அறிந்து செயின் (483) 

 Aruvinai Enba Ulavo Karuviyaan
 Kaalam Arinthu Seyin.     

 தகுந்த காலத்தில் வேண்டிய சாதனங்களுடன் செயல்பட்டால்
 செய்ய முடியாத செயலே இல்லை.

 If one selects the most opportune time and needed means, no 

 objective is  impossible  to  achieve.

 Opportune Time (சாதகமான   தருணம்)

Here, the Poet brings out the strategy needed in facing the rivals. If a king selects the best time, (finding the weak spots of the enemy) and launch his campaign he can win over even stronger opponent. In other words, strength can be achieved by proper timing. It holds good in all areas of business ventures to tide over the competition. A classic example is the success storey of vessel cleaning powder ‘Sabena’. By introducing a high quality product sold at reasonable low price and aggressive marketing, it cornered big chunk of the market controlled by powerful Multinational whose products were priced very high. Here the company studied the requirement of the masses and targeted them by suitable pricing to win over more established powerful rivals who were servicing upper middle class. 

 பகல்வெல்லும் கூகையைக் காக்கை இகல்வெல்லும்
 வேந்தர்க்கு வேண்டும் பொழுது ( 481)      

 Pagal Vellum Kookyai Kaakkai Igalvellum
Vendarkku Vendum Pozhuthu

   

பகலில் ஆந்தையை காக்கை வென்று விடும்; சரியான தருணத்தில் அரசனும் தன்னுடன் வலிமையான  எதிரியை வெல்ல முடியும்.

In the daytime a crow can beat an owl (stronger bird); by selecting the  time  advantageous to him, a king can beat much stronger enemy.

Threat ( ஆபத்து / அபாயம்)  

The couplet enumerates the lurking danger looming large over a person who does not forecast the potential danger and take adequate precaution to save against it. He is like a haystack lying idle before an advancing fire. Here, the poet being the master of analogy compares the person as dump as an inanimate haystack, which can not even sense the approaching fire. For any CEO, Threat perception is the most important quality to be possessed in the present ever changing global competitive environment. The threat can be in the form of a competitor launching a better product at cheaper price, or change in Government regulations or a disruptive technology upsetting all profit and loss calculations. It can also come in the form of a crisis due to an unlawful act by company executives. He has not only to forecast the danger all the time, but also take precautionary steps in time to ward off the ill effects on his organization.He can not just wish it away as a mute spectator. In the absence of affirmative action, the concern is doomed to get in to uncontrollable, insurmountable problems threatening the very existence of it

வருமுன்னர்க் காவாதான் வாழ்க்கை எரிமுன்னர்’
வைத்தூறு போலக் கெடும் (435)

 Varumunnark Kaavaathaan Vazhkkai Erimunnar
 Vaiththooru Polak Kedum

 எதிர்காலத்தில் வரக்கூடியெ அபாயத்தை ஆலோசித்து தன்னை காத்துக்  கொள்ளாதவன் வாழ்க்கை நெருப்புக்கருகில் உள்ள வைக்கல் போர்  போல் கெட்டு அழியும்.

The life of One who does not analyse the lurking danger and take adequate precautions to save himself will get destroyed like a haystack in presence of fire. 

அஞ்சுவது அஞ்சாமை பேதமை அஞ்சுவது
அஞ்சல் அறிவார் தொழில் (428)

 Anjuvathu Anjaamai Pethamai Anjuvathu
 Anjal Arivaar Thozheil

 அஞ்ச வேண்டியதற்கு  அஞ்சாமல் இருப்பது முட்டாள்தனமானது : அறிஞ்ஞர்கள்  என்றுமே நியாயமாக  அஞ்சப்படுவதற்கு  அஞ்சியே நடப்பார்கள்

        
 It is the foolish  not to be afraid of things to be afraid of : Wise fear  what should  be feared.