{"id":182661,"date":"2018-02-20T23:50:30","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T23:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writemyessayfree.com\/issues-that-irish-underwater-council-are-facing"},"modified":"2018-10-24T09:20:37","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T09:20:37","slug":"issues-that-irish-underwater-council-are-facing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.benedictsol.com\/blogs\/issues-that-irish-underwater-council-are-facing\/","title":{"rendered":"ISSUES THAT IRISH UNDERWATER COUNCIL ARE FACING"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>7.0 SWOT ANALYSIS<\/h1>\n

SWOT analysis is the platform that assesses a company\u2019s status at any given time. Particularly, it comprises the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing a specific company. A firm is assessed in accordance with the surrounding environment and what the company has been able to produce for the market.Strengths and weaknesses are the result of internal factors and opportunities and threats derive from external factors.  The following sections present a detailed SWOT analysis of the Irish Underwater Council<\/p>\n

<\/a>7.1 STRENGTHS<\/h2>\n

7.1.1 CFT skill workforce.Permanent staff, club staff and volunteers are essential in the structure of the business. At different levels of involvement all help in training and club management, and are able to transmit their enthusiasm to learners and potential customers (Bannon, 2002). The permanent staff have the high skills and the expertise required to administer and guide the club, to enable it to progress and to continue providing service to its members. Volunteers give up their free time and address matters of training, promotion and guidance within the organization (Birnie & Hitches, 2000). Certainly, this is crucial for any firm which needs to grow.<\/p>\n

7.1.2 Assets.<\/strong>Capacity to innovate and adaptability to change are a significant asset in CFT. CFT has showed a clever market attitude by using product diversification. It offers a diversified range of activities including underwater photography, archeological groups, trails around the country, scuba diving, and snorkel and underwater team sports. Additionally, the presence of sponsors in its activities is also an example of its capacity to use any option available to gain visibility and therefore to create brand awareness (Council, 2001).<\/p>\n

7.1.3 <\/strong>Recognition of other diving bodies\u2019 qualifications, free of charge. This recognition is included in the CFT website and in the promotional campaigns of clubs. Because of the social aspect presented by CFT, new members with qualifications from other bodies may be attracted. CFT recognizes most international diving grades and offers equivalence to its own grades which opens opportunities not only for recreational goals but also for possible job opportunities in clubs.<\/p>\n

7.1.4 Quality of courses. The courses include: trainee diver, national instructor, leading diver, rescue diver, and many others (Dyson, 2004). These courses are offered by highly skilled trainers within the club.<\/p>\n

7.1.5 Less expensive fees than its commercial competitors. CFT offers courses at affordable fees, with a variety of alternatives to choose from that easily accommodate different people and interests. Furthermore, skilled trainers are in charge of the development of courses.  In the long run, this mentoring helps the divers to explore the underwater world at their leisure (Gavigan & Scapolo, 1999).<\/p>\n

7.1.6 Insurance. All sport carries the risk of incidents, therefore insurance cover is a must, and this is a unique distinction offered by CFT. The equipment gives the divers comfort and security, but also their use in a safe way. CFT offers reliable insurance coverage, which is another factor to consider when analyzing the strength of the business. The feeling that everything has been foreseen and accounted for may increase significantly the numbers applying to become members.<\/p>\n

7.1.7<\/strong>Strategic alliances.with other bodies, such as the Nautical Archeology Society, is enhancing the activity and the opportunities to participate in organized trails or educational trips, using a snorkel as the first step for beginners and new members<\/p>\n

<\/a>7.2 WEAKNESSES<\/h2>\n

Weaknesses are inevitable in a firm; therefore, it is necessary to invest in order to turn them into strengths. CFT experiences diverse challenges in executing its activities.<\/p>\n

7.2.1 Loss of under 18 memberships. This is one of the most significant limitations of sports clubs (Milliken & Gallagher, 1998). To reverse this tendency CFT is revising its range of products, to include team underwater sports and snorkel. In this context, swimming is a popular sport and Irish swimmers such as Shane Ryan, Brendan Hyland, Nicholas Quinn, Curtis Coulter, Sycerika McMahon, Jordan Sloan and Alex Murphy have recently competed in the European Swimming Championships, therefore the capability of CFT to offer quality qualified trainers might be used to promote snorkeling as a parallel activity to swimming; snorkeling helps to improve the technique of swimmers (Triathlete, 2015 & Speedo). CFT is also facing up to this weakness through the collaboration of its loyal and older members who are passing on their skills and enthusiasm to younger members.<\/p>\n

7.2.2 Branding. Lack of clear visibility. Underwater activities are well considered in Irish society, nevertheless CFT and the clubs suffer from a lack of presence in the market, which affects the number of options available to entice new members. The social aspect of CFT, which is a strength, might help to create a chain of well-known clubs. The use of word of mouth publicity with the help of volunteers and current members could enhance the issue of branding CFT.<\/p>\n

7.2.3 Customer trends.Customers have a tendency to ask for underwater activities mainly during warm periods, such as summer or spring, therefore the season of CFT activities is reduced. Nevertheless, in off season periods the skills of staff and members may be focused on indoor activities, such as preparation for snorkeling and working with providers who can reach out to young members.<\/p>\n

7.2.4 Communication with Clubs.The lack of a specific public relations plan may affect communication and therefore the results of promotional activities<\/p>\n

<\/a>7.3 OPPORTUNITIES<\/h2>\n

7.3.1 Environmental factors.<\/strong>CFT\u2019s capability to organize snorkeling activities might be combined with the fact that more than 80 beaches and 5 marinas in Ireland have been awarded the blue flag, which is an international award that involves the recognition of the cleanness, water quality and environmental interest of a particular location. The publicity generated by this situation is an opportunity to link snorkeling activities to the specific areas that have won this recognition. Moreover, Ireland\u2019s coastline offers the best diving environment in Northern Europe. It is apparent in the situation of the country, which is an island on the edge of the Western European continental shelf (Lillis & Lynch, 2014).  This provides and opening not only to attract people but also to include new activities such as open water fin swimming and organized championships around the country or internationally.<\/p>\n

7.3.2 New stakeholders.such as expatriates or immigrants that as consequence of the recession in their own countries or as members of multinational companies have established themselves in Ireland. These change in the profile of the population may bring opportunities as they may look for clubs or activities that made them feel part of Irish society.  The international aspect of CFT could help to attract new foreign members. Talks and informational sessions will provide a platform for these stakeholders to get information about underwater clubs and become new members (Lillis, 2006).<\/p>\n

7.3.3 Innovation and adaptation to changes.<\/strong> which is a CFT strength, may be linked with the popularity of sport in Irish culture to encourage people to consider new underwater team sports such as underwater rugby. This sport is in line with the social tendency to practice traditional sports such as rugby and allow for the interaction of girls and boys in a safe environment.<\/p>\n

7.3.4 Technology. The use of the Internet and Social networks is quite extensive in Ireland. The most popular activities are watching videos and playing games. The next two most popular activities are school work and visiting social networks (58% in each case)(O\u2019Neill, Grehan, & \u00d3lafsson, 2011). These trends represent an opportunity for CFT, in the extent to which social networks can help in the promotion of snorkeling among young members.<\/p>\n

7.3.5 External financing for clubs. The increasing interest in small and medium sized enterprises due to their relevance in the general economy is boosting policies addressed to help these companies financially; in the extent to which clubs could be considered as micro or medium enterprises they could opt into European programs for such enterprises. CFT has provided support to clubs to access information about funding and the package of European programs for small and medium enterprises represents a new opportunity<\/p>\n

7.3.6 Social aspect of the sport activity.<\/strong>The eagerness of people to acquire diving skills as a means of recreation is an opportunity due to the possibility of attracting more people to join clubs. And, no doubt, this opportunity will increase clubs\u2019 profits.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>7.4 THREATS<\/h2>\n

7.4.1Power of competitors. Competitors don\u2019t have the official aspect that CFT has, nevertheless they can offer packages of activities and greater flexibility in the range of activities, as they, for instance, can join with professional divers and organizations abroad and create networks. CFT can deal with this as it is an international member CMAS, the international umbrella organization for recreational diver training organizations, and with this recognition can compete confidently with competitors\u2019 certifications.<\/p>\n

7.4.2 Fauna. Environmental protection of fauna and the arrival of more species in Irish waters such as whales may pose restrictions to the activity of diving (O\u2019Regan, 2008). No incidents related to attack by wildlife are mentioned in the CFT annual reports, nevertheless, swimming in open waters could generate a feeling of fear in users and therefore discourage families from taking up underwater activities. In this regard, the profits of the council might decrease (Yuksel &Dagdeviren, 2007). If this factor became a practical issue, the expertise of the staff could be used to organize planned trips that include environmental and photographic topics.<\/p>\n

7.4.3 Dumping. The dumping of dredged material into Dublin Bay is a major threat for CFT activities, as it can not only damage the environment but also reduce underwater visibility. CFT has sent proposals and suggestions to the competent authorities in order to help in the protection of Dublin Bay.<\/p>\n

7.4.4 Social networks. These are a virtual competitor that allow people to gather without having a club as a physical space. The reputation of CFT provides a weapon to fight against this and to create a profile in virtual networks that are extensively used by young Irish people, such as Instagram.<\/p>\n

7.4.5 Incidents related to equipment issues. The 2015 CFT annual report contended that there are still incidents caused by poor maintenance of equipment and buoyancy control. CFT is providing information to Clubs to reduce the number of these as each failure or loss of control may cause a fatality. The loss of membership and therefore of financial resources does not help to improve this situation. So information about external founding is being giving to the clubs. European programs to SMEs are in this case an opportunity of financial support for micro enterprises such as sports clubs.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the idea of the sea as a friendly environment when utilized in the right way and under a CFT trainer is being taking seriously by CFT. CFT expertise will help to reduce the number of incidents, thus giving information and recognition to those clubs that keep high standards in relation to the control of their equipment.<\/p>\n

7.4.6 Fees.Having more reasonable fees than its competitors is a strength but at the same time a weakness as clubs need to repair and maintain their equipment in order to guarantee security, therefore, the fees are attractive but the club\u00b4s costs may as a consequence rise.<\/p>\n

ISSUES THAT IRISH UNDERWATER COUNCIL ARE FACING <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n