SOAR Model Generator

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🖨️ How to Conduct a SOAR Model Analysis

Small business owners constantly has to look for ways to increase their sales and reputation. A SOAR model analysis can help them take their strategic management to a new level.

SOAR framework is a strategic planning tool that allows you to focus on the strengths and goals of a given company. It enables an analyst to see the whole picture by dividing the organization’s qualities and objectives into a comprehensive chart.

Below, we have explained the steps to creating a SWOT model:

  1. Preparation. Before starting the analysis, collect as much information as possible. Look into the market news from clients and competitors and gain feedback from the central employers and managers. If the last is not available, you can ask your coworkers to provide thoughts and ideas.
  2. Choosing the team. The next step is to gather people that can assist you. Make sure to combine a diverse group across your business to make a brainstorm session. This way, you’ll have different expertise, creative voices, and thoughts all around you.
  3. Identifying the objectives. What is the purpose of your SOAR model? Determine the SMART goals that can help you achieve the desired outcomes. Consider everything from market shares to offering new products.
  4. Mapping out. Once you have enough information, you should start filling out the SOAR table. Pick the visualization tool that makes it easy to create, share and access the content. Or simply use the template above!
  5. Making it actionable. All the insights you’ve got from the analysis should turn into actions. Reflect on what the company can do next: launch the new product, invest in a development section, etc. These insights should provide a plan to take advantage of your existing resources and opportunities.

While working on your SOAR model analysis, think of the following questions for each area you will explore.

☝️ Strengths

Here are the questions to identify the strengths of your company, product, or service:

  • What makes your business or product unique?
  • What is the company most proud of?
  • What are its biggest assets? How does it take advantage of them?
  • How does the organization use its strengths to achieve the results?

☝️ Opportunities

These questions will help you identify opportunities:

  • What are the top three trends on which you can focus your efforts?
  • Are there any gaps in the industry that your services could fill?
  • Can you enter any new markets?
  • How can you meet the needs of the stakeholders and customers?

☝️ Aspirations

Answering these questions may reveal the company’s aspirations:

  • How do you see this company in five years?
  • What does the company care about in terms of development?
  • What does the organization strive to achieve?
  • How can you formulate the company’s goals?
  • What strategic initiatives would support aspirations?

You can check how students analyze a company’s aims by clicking this free essay example.

☝️ Results

Lastly, these questions will allow you to determine the possible results:

  • How do you know that the business has achieved its goals?
  • Can you measure the possible outcomes?
  • What resources will the company require to implement its future projects?
  • How can the organization track its progress?

⚔️ SOAR vs. SWOT: What’s the Difference?

The SWOT matrix has been used in business analysis for a long time. It is an efficient instrument, yet today, many are searching for new ways to analyze the data and plan strategically. Thus, SOAR has become an alternative to SWOT analysis.

Yet, what is the difference between them?

✅ SWOT analysis ✅ SOAR analysis
SWOT matrix looks at where the company is at the given moment. SOAR model addresses opportunities in the business, aiming at goal setting.
SWOT looks at both positive and negative forces affecting the business. SOAR doesn’t include weaknesses and threats, concentrating on positive elements only.
SWOT is driven by competition. It can be seen as a framework for competitor analysis. SOAR focuses on the possibilities and aspirations of the business without comparing it to other companies.

Thank you for reading the article! We hope our explanations will let you decide whether to use the SOAR framework as an alternative to SWOT analysis for your organization. If you know economic students or small business owners that have immediate sales and growth needs, share this article with them. If you have any difficulties while writing a paper, consider trying other study apps we’ve made.

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📍 References

  1. SOAR Analysis | Library Guides at University of Missouri Libraries
  2. SWOT and SOAR | Second Wave Dive
  3. SOAR Analysis — A Tool For Strategic Planning | Think Insights