Salesforce faces weaknesses as a result of lacking significant processes and resources that limit its ability to achieve its goals. SWOT analysis is a key way to analyze Salesforce weaknesses to assist in the planning processes as it identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (Coman & Ronen, 2009). Based on this analysis, there are some weaknesses which Salesforce face and affect the business.
Financial Weakness
Financial weaknesses are as a result of limited financial assets, the high cost of daily Salesforce operations, and limited cash flow (Coman & Ronen, 2009). Salesforce needs valuable assets, equipment, material, and facilities for its operation. Finance can also be a problem when Salesforce fails to generate significant monthly cash income to cover the costs of production. Thus there will be a challenge in generating profit to sustain the business. Besides, access to loan is a critical factor in the business. The lack of equal investments or lack of accessing loans would be a challenge to Salesforce. This is because, identifying funding sources are always a challenge, however much they are important for keeping Salesforce afloat. Still, the major problem is that starting a business requires huge capital which Salesforce will have difficulties in acquiring.
Quality Concerns
Qualities concerns are associated with similar products to competitors. The basis of creating quality product mainly relies on building a unique brand (Coman & Ronen, 2009). Salesforce should not introduce the same products that its competitors have released to the market. The possible reason towards producing low-quality products would be through the use of outdated technology. The old technology prevents designs and innovation, thus inhibiting Salesforce from creating unique products that look better than their competitors. Salesforce should, therefore, invest in new technology to focus on product and quality improvements. The concern is that there are financial constraints in the company which makes it possible to have the desired technology and technological advancements.
Production Incompetence
Salesforce could be facing a challenge due to production inefficiency which is critical to any manufacturer or seller. Efficient products are necessary for optimizing profits since they are sold quickly. The problem that leads to production incompetence is lack of human skills and resources (Boyle et al., 2015). With a shortage of skilled employees, it is practical that the production process will be slowed down. This is because the workforce is not familiar with the production processes. Also, the lack of motivation leads to production problems. Under-motivated employees do not increase productivity since they feel exploited by Salesforce. Motivation is an important aspect of improving productivity through ways such as incentives. Without proper and adequate human skills and resources, Salesforce will face production indifferences.
Poor Brand Image
Poor brand imaging implies that Salesforce lacks the unique processes that set it apart from its competitors (Kumar, Boesso & Michelon, 2016). If Salesforce has a brand name that is considered weak and unrecognized by the targeted markets, then it is difficult to generate sales. A poor brand image is associated with several factors. First, it is a result of poor products which can be linked to production indifferences. Also, it is related to poor service performance. Similarly, it occurs due to poor marketing and promotional strategies. Brand image is one primary factor that Salesforce must focus to strengthen and improve. This is because, with a stronger brand image Salesforce will be able to work effectively on marketing strategies to understand market expectations, which is necessary for promoting services, brand messages, quality, and affordability.
References
Boyle, J. F., Gramling, A. A., Hermanson, D. R., & Hermanson, H. M. (2015). Audit committee material weaknesses in smaller reporting companies: still struggling. Journal of Forensic & Investigative Accounting, 7(1), 110-121.
Coman, A., & Ronen, B. (2009). Focused SWOT: diagnosing critical strengths and weaknesses. International Journal of Production Research, 47(20), 5677-5689.
Kumar, K., Boesso, G., & Michelon, G. (2016). How do strengths and weaknesses in corporate social performance across different stakeholder domains affect company performance? Business Strategy and the Environment, 25(4), 277-292.
