A firm's strengths are its resources and capabilities that can be used as a basis for developing a competitive advantage. Examples of such strengths include:

   1. Patents.

   2. Strong brand names.

   3. Good reputation among customers.

   4. Cost advantages from proprietary know-how.

   5. Exclusive access to high grade natural resources.

   6. Favorable access to distribution networks.

   The absence of certain strengths may be viewed as a weakness. For example, each of the following may be considered weaknesses:

   1. Lack of patent protection.

   2. A weak brand name.

   3. Poor reputation among customers.

   4. High cost structure.

   5. Lack of access to the best natural resources.

   6. Lack of access to key distribution channels.

   In some cases, a weakness may be the flip side of a strength. Take the case in which a firm has a large amount of manufacturing capacity. While this capacity may be considered a strength that competitors do not share, it also may be a considered a weakness if the large investment in manufacturing capacity prevents the firm from reacting quickly to changes in the strategic environment.