Intermediate (CEFR B1)

Meeting Participation

Student name: ____________________ Student number: _____________________

Writing Task
Think about the company you work for, or a company you know well. Write a SWOT
analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) by using the table format
below with in no less than 200 words the details of the company’s strengths and
weaknesses, the threats to the company and the opportunities available to it.

Consider all aspects affecting the company, including assets, financial, skills, market-
share, competition, legal and Corporate Social Responsibility issues, for example,
environmental, social and community aid.

Write about how your company could reduce risks to the business and turn opportunities
into strengths. Use a heading and bulleted points for each sentence. For example:

Strengths
Market share: We have the highest share of the
soft drinks market.
Sales: Sales teams are highly effective and
motivated.
Brand: We have a well-established and
respected brand

For Strengths and Weaknesses it is advisable to use the present simple as these are ongoing.

For Opportunities and Threats it is advisable to use future tenses and language for
speculating.

Format your writing as follows:

Strengths
As a company, what do you do well?
What resources are available?
What assets does the company have?
What are the company’s main markets?
Weaknesses
As a company what do you not do well?
How could you improve?
What assets does the company lack?
Which markets does the company weak in?

Opportunities Threats
What new opportunities are available? What threats could harm the company?
What market trends could you take advantage of? What are your competitors’ activities?
Which companies are potential customers? Is there any new legislation?
 Speaking Task
Part 1

What company do you work for?

What are your company’s main markets?
Does your company consider their impacts on the environment?
Can you think of any major companies that help the local community?
How important do you think it is for companies to help charities?

Part 2

Now present the SWOT analysis of your company. Remember to talk about the
strengths and weaknesses and also how opportunities can be turned into strengths
and weaknesses minimised.

Part 3 (Assessor can use their own follow-up questions based on the
presentation. Below are some suggested questions)

Can you think of some ways that a company could benefit from helping the
environment?
As well as making money, should companies consider social issues?
Do you think that there are the same opportunities for both men and women in
business today?
Would you consider Corporate Social Responsibility in deciding to work for a
company?
Do you think social, environmental and community issues will become more or
less important in the future?

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