Procter & Gamble Co.

is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio that manufactures a wide range of consumer goods. It is 6th in Fortune's Most Admired Companies 2010 list. P&G is credited with many business innovations including brand management and the soap opera. Procter & Gamble is a leading member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a Washington D.C.-based coalition of over 400 major companies and NGOs that advocates for a larger International Affairs Budget, which funds American diplomatic and development efforts abroad. William Procter, a candlemaker, and James Gamble, a soapmaker, immigrants from England and Ireland, respectively, who had settled earlier in Cincinnati, who met as they married sisters, Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, formed the company initially. Alexander Norris, their father-in law, called a meeting in which he persuaded his new sons-in-law to become business partners. On October 31, 1837, as a result of the suggestion, Procter & Gamble was born. In 1858-1859, sales reached $1 million. By this point, approximately 80 employees worked for Procter & Gamble. During the American Civil War, the company won contracts to supply the Union Army with soap and candles. In addition to the increased profits experienced during the war, the military contracts introduced soldiers from all over the country to Procter & Gamble's products.

Strengths * New Management * Gross Margin 15 Times the Industry Average * One of the best marketers in the world * Diversified brand portfolio: more than 300 brands with more than 79 billion in Revenue * Tightly integrated with the largest retailers in the US and around the world * Product innovation * Talented management * Distribute to 180 Countries * Distribution channels all over the world * New Billion Dollar brands * Offers multiple products in each category along with more than one brand * Retains strong bargaining positions with retailers

Weaknesses * Top Brands Losing Market Share * Health and Beauty Women Only * Lagging behind in online media presence & leadership * Missing opportunity: Refuses to manufacture private label products for its retail customers * Slow Process Heavy Culture * Views Product Performance only * Expansion for brands is limited * Increased promotional spending to keep healthy sales Opportunities * Health and Beauty for Men * Doubling Envirfffffonmental Goals for 2012 * Adding Value for the Conspiracy * Utilizing online social networks * Going Green/Eco Friendly * Capitalizing on online media * Continue to divest brands that don't align with the company's long-term goals (i.e., Folgers) * Emerging markets * New acquisition opportunities * Selling directly to consumers * Design for better product experience * Has room to expand margins by improving productivity Threats

* Increase of regulations Substitute brands that have a cheaper price * Private label growth * Slowdown in consumer spending in the US & globally * Key competitors expanding their product portfolios through acquisitions * Increase in raw material price * Commodity cost and currency exchange rate placed tremendous pressure on the business