5/10/18 – SWOT Analysis – The Applied Workshop, Part I

In SWOT Analysis, you will learn how to conduct an analysis for your business using a refined and tested model. This workshop will be facilitated by Jeff Lewis who has helped many companies throughout the region define their path. This is a hands-on, get-your-pencils-out, workshop which will require you to think deeply, honestly, and intentionally about your businesses’ strengths, opportunities and weaknesses.

We’ll start with a discussion about why a general manager/owner would undertake this kind of work and try to answer the question: What is strategy and why is it important? Why these particular tools are so useful and widespread and how to translate this information to inform the decision you make to direct the business.

Businesses, regardless of size, need to think of growth as a constant, strategic, activity. Why? Because if your business is not growing, it will become stagnant – and stagnation will lead to declines. Even if you have no intention to add employees or significantly increasing revenues, your business needs to constantly evolve, adapt and analyze what are your factors of differentiation and opportunities.

5/17/18 – SWOT Outcomes – – The Applied Workshop, Part II

In this workshop, Part II of a two-part series, you will apply the work from the previous week to create a brief implementation plan. You should be prepared to discuss strategy and plans in a confidential setting with other business leaders. This is a knowledge and information sharing session—we will learn from each other about what works and what doesn’t when thinking ahead. As a group, we will explore common barriers to implementing change and some strategies to overcome those barriers.

Jeff Lewis retired in 2013 after 8 years as executive director of BDCC, the regional development corporation in Windham County, Vermont. During his tenure BDCC became the largest, best funded and most creative in the state. Following retirement, he began consulting with regional businesses on strategic issues, then for two years following that he, with his partner Jennifer Stromsten, designed and created the Vermont Futures Project for the Vermont Chamber Foundation with a goal of invigorating the Vermont economy through research and policy innovation.

Most recently he has been interim executive for the New England Center for Circus Arts as they weathered internal disruption setting them on a firm strategy with orderly financial supports.

Prior to retiring to Vermont 15 years ago he was, in reverse order, Chief Customer Officer of Monster.com, senior consultant with Patricia Seybold Group in Boston, technology manager and strategist at Phoenix Life Insurance, and a practicing parish minister.

From all those emerged a passionate interest in economic development as a community undertaking requiring a wide variety of skills from research to diplomacy, including real estate management, finance, politics, and survival.