Peer Review Analysis and Critique - Paper is AttachedPropose detailed feedback and critical analysis team members can incorporate into their future drafts. These include writing style, structural,

Running Head: STRATEGIC PLAN PART II: SWOTT ANALYSIS 8

Strategic Plan Part II: SWOTT Analysis

Nyree M. Stewart BUS/475

June 25, 2018

Victor De Jesus

SWOTT Analysis Cupcakes In A Cup Boutique is known as the “Company with Heart”. CIACB gives back to the community by traveling to local homeless shelters in the Southern, Prince George’s County Area and provides a day of “Cupcake Birthday Fun” for the children. “CIACB” receives a list of birthdays for each month and gives a party to the children’s birthdays that fall within that month. The Quadrant, Strengths and its’ Internal Origin is exampled by the organizations community involvement. As mentioned, being a “Company with Heart”, the organizations’ strategic capability is to reach out to the communities that are in need. The organizations planning, design, practices and trends, all relate to service delivery. CIACB is innovative and a relatively new start-up business but has plans to expand by promoting its marketing via Social Media (Facebook and Twitter), registering with Google Services, promotional videos on YouTube, and by the most important marketing platform, word of mouth, the organization will build a rapport with the community and draw customers both near and far. “CIACB” supplies cupcakes, ice cream, decorations, candles, paper goods, and cutlery. This paper will go into further detail about “Cupcake In A Cup” relating to its mission, vision, and strategic decisions process which in turn will be the blueprint of the company’s goals and purpose. SWOTT Analysis Chart

Peer Review Analysis and Critique - Paper is AttachedPropose detailed feedback and critical analysis team members can incorporate into their future drafts. These include writing style, structural, 1

Strengths The Quadrant, Strengths is exampled by the organizations community involvement. As mentioned, being a “Company with Heart”, the organizations’ strategic capability is to reach out to the communities that are in need. The organizations rapid pace innovative planning, design, practices and trends, all relate to service delivery. In addition, the structure of the business operation such as, (CR) Customer Research; (CS) Customer Service and (CE) Customer Experience is a necessity leading the business towards a competitive advantage. By being on wheels, the food truck travels to many locations and reaches numerous reliable and potential customers. The new food truck will have the capacity to meet the needs of over 500 customers daily. CIACB serves a variety of cupcakes including vegan to gluten free. All goods are made from scratch and touches the consumers reflection of their fond association from childhood. Because we are mobile, during the course of our week, we have the opportunity to serve more people than a traditional brick and mortar store. Thanks to our mobile app, our customers know where we are at all times of the day. Weaknesses New businesses have to review and plan to mitigate the weaknesses of their strategy. CIACB weaknesses are, all though the cup cakes are exceptionally delicious, cupcakes are the only product sold. While many, many people love cupcakes, they may also want something to go with it; maybe a bottle of milk for their child, or a shot of espresso for adults, thereby limiting the sale of other products. In addition, the resources or ingredients are increasing in price making the run to various stores for the better price common place. The economics of the CIACB food truck marketing understands production, consumption and unemployment. While the truck is immaculate, it is still a truck thereby being in that environment for hours may at times be draining. Traveling to meet the needs of the customers’ is a plus, yet, because the business is not in one location, the daily cost of fuel can be daunting and traveling to meet the needs of the customers at times may make you, “travel weary”. Opportunities

Today, there are many T.V. shows specifically about cupcakes, bakery’s, and even famous bakery chefs who specialize in cupcakes; they have fast become a favorite treat of just about everyone. Cupcakes are the innovative social trend of the day. Millennials as well as young business savvy executives all love cupcakes. CIACB promotes its marketing via Social Media (Facebook and Twitter), registering with Google Services, promotional videos on YouTube, and by the most important marketing platform, word of mouth. The organization will build a rapport with the community and draw customers both near and far. The strategy of the business is simply to establish the best way to use capable resources that encourage strategic planning on factors such as the sale of products, services to impart, and geographic areas where in the company will compete. We love our customers, and they share the love of our goods with family, friends and those in their social circle.

Threats The main threat of a cupcake food truck business, or any business will be its competition. The baked goods market, at present serves an extensive number of bakeries both large and small throughout the U.S.A. There are also numerous nearby coffee shops, which sell a variety of pastries, and various beverages, such as sodas, teas, and coffee; something our business does not sell. This will be a major drawback to our walk-up customer base; however, by providing beverages in the very near future, the business should be able retain its loyal customers, as well as attract new ones. 

Climate is another threat which may also affect how the business operates. Extreme heat, cold or rainy weather could cause customers to visit similar indoor cupcake shops who customer would normally not frequent. This may cause an issue for the business in having “off days” during periods of bad weather. The business should anticipate customers each day, regardless of bad weather, though the colder months may not be as occupied as the warmer months.

Price fluctuation of the ingredients and fuel can negatively affect the company’s profit margin unless the cost is handed down to patrons. One way to optimize your buying power is to negotiate an agreement for a fixed price on materials. For a customer to be willing to pay a higher price for a specialty pastry relies heavily on the economy. In a weakened economy, some customers would rather buy a pack of cupcakes from their local grocer rather than pay more for designer cupcakes from a food truck. There are Food Safety and Quality Control provisions that must be put in place when setting up a business which markets food, as well as workplace legislation. The regulations of the operating a food truck are very strict and will need to be followed in a comprehensive manor. The cost of insurance to protect the business and its employees' can protect against undue lawsuits in case of accidents. This will contribute to the upfront cost of the business, but also to the continuing annual costs.

Conclusion There are many strategic ways to start or expand your business. The use of SWOT will allow you to review strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats. Continually reviewing SWOT will assist in avoiding possible threats and weaknesses and moving forward when opportunities arise. Planning and re-evaluating the business is essential to continue to grow and prosper. A proper marketing plan and thorough financial management will give Cupcake In A Cup Boutique an edge on our competitors. A cupcake business is one which demands the proprietor to be an experienced financial manager as well as knowing the ins and outs of the art of baking. A non-existing marketing plan for a business equals uncertainty, but a successful marketing plan equals limitless possibilities.

References

Thompson, Scott. (n.d.). Risks of a Bakery. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/risks-bakery-61962.html