Strengths and Weaknesses are internal to your organization (specifically related to your county operation). Opportunities and Threats are external they could come from Extension at the – state or local level, from the county, from things happening in your communities, from other organizations or groups, and more. Examples: Strengths Opportunities Key staff positions filled We Grow N.C. campaign Motivated, educated team Growth in local farm-to-fork movement Outreach initiatives thriving Partnerships with local organizations High awareness of ag services Thriving downtown revitalization initiative Online registration available Increase in cell phone use in county Weaknesses Threats Declining volunteer base Declining county funding/resources Interpersonal challenges with staff Development of former farmland Low event/program attendance Competitor innovation Aging building Information consumption and comm. trends Lack of XYZ expertise Cell phone/internet coverage in county Walk your team through the exercise on the next page to brainstorm all Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Record everything at first; you can always refine later. Your list will be longer than the examples above. EXERCISE Strengths Opportunities
Strengths and Weaknesses are internal to your organization (specifically related to your county operation). Opportunities and Threats are external – they could come from Extension at the state or local level, from the county, from things happening in your communities, from other organizations or groups, and more. Examples: Strengths Key staff positions filled Motivated, educated team Outreach initiatives thriving High awareness of ag services Online registration available Weaknesses Declining volunteer base Interpersonal challenges with staff Low event/program attendance Aging building Lack of XYZ expertise Opportunities We Grow N.C. campaign Growth in local farm-to-fork movement Partnerships with local organizations Thriving downtown revitalization initiative Increase in cell phone use in county Threats Declining county funding/resources Development of former farmland Competitor innovation Information consumption and comm. trends Cell phone/internet coverage in county Walk your team through the exercise on the next page to brainstorm all Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Record everything at first; you can always refine later. Your list will be longer than the examples above. EXERCISE Strengths Opportunities