1. Using SWOT analysis
to identify strategic direction
for library sustainable development
Case:
Thai Nguyen University Learning Resource Center
Da Lat, June 2013
Hieu Thieu, MBA
Department for International Cooperation, Training
and Project Management
Thai Nguyen University Learning Resource Center

2. • Briefly explain S.W.O.T analysis
• Case: TNU Learning Resource Center
• Group discussion: Using SWOT analysis to
identify strategic direction for YOUR library
sustainable development
CONTENTS

3. WHAT THE HELL IS SWOT Analysis?
S W O T
http://www.managementstudyguide.com/

4. SWOT
AnalysisOppurtunity
Threats
Strengths
Weakness
Acronym for
Strengths,
Weaknesses,
Opportunities, and
Threats.
Technique is credited to Albert Humphrey who
led a research project at Stanford University in the
1960s and 1970s.
Planning tool used to
understand Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, &
Threats involved in a project /
business.
Using data and information gained from
situation analysis of internal and external
environment to uncover new opportunities
that you are well placed to exploit
WHAT THE HELL IS SWOT Analysis?
http://www.managementstudyguide.com/
Being applicable
for Non-profit
organizations
including Libraries

5. Strengths: What do we do well?
• What are your advantages?
• What do you do better than anyone
else?
• What relevant resources do you have?
• What is your organization's Unique
Selling Proposition(USP)?
Opportunities: What possibilities
exists
•Strategic alliances, partnerships
•Innovation an technology development
• Changes in government policy related to
yourfield.
•Changes in social patterns, population
profiles, lifestyle changes, and so on
Threats: What can go wrong?
•Loss af alliances and partners
•Price infaltion/deflation
•Is changing technology threatening your
position?
•Competitors’ new products and innovation
Weaknesses: What is wrong now?
•Gap in experience, knowledge
•Financial aspects
•Reliability and trust
•Loss of key staff
•Geographical factors
S W
TO
INTERNAL
FOCUS
EXTERNAL
FOCUS
WHAT THE HELL IS SWOT Analysis?

6. S W
TO
http://www.managementstudyguide.com/
Where
we are
now? (A)
Where do
we want to
be? (B)
Why do a SWOT Analysis?
To help identify
the best (maybe
not the short)
way from A to B

7. Forecasting
Decision Making
Tool
Knowing
the Competion
Benefits of
SWOT
Analysis
http://www.managementstudyguide.com/

8. • Briefly explain S.W.O.T analysis
• Case: TNU Learning Resource Center
• Group discussion: Using SWOT analysis to
identify strategic direction for YOUR library
sustainable development
CONTENTS

9. Thai
Nguyen
Learning Resource Center -Thai Nguyen University
Your partner for sustainable development!
LRC TNU’s mission is to support educational institutes located in the north
mountainous area of Vietnam for better developing human resources,
improving scientific research and promote technology transferring.
www.lrc-tnu.edu.vn
Tan Thinh Ward, Thai Nguyen City, Vietnam
2020
Our vision: To be a modern lifelong learning
center with global recognition
Connecting global knowledge

10. TNU = The central hub for
training, scientific research and
technology transferring in the
NMA of Vietnam
 Total students: ~ 86 000 coming
from 15 northern provinces
(30% are ethnic minority)
 3700 lecturers & researchers
First direct beneficiaries
from TNU LRC

11. All beneficiaries
from TNU LRC
86 000
students 3700 lecturers
& researchers
Local people
inThai Nguyen City
People in
15 northern provinces
(about 14 million)

12. TNU LRC organizational chart
Number of Staff: 54 including
1 PhD, 13 masters Board of
Directors AD & Finance
IT
Project team
+ Library Services
+ Info Resources
• 8 graduated from USA, 1 from India

13. TNU LRC’s facilities
• 4-story building, 8000 m2 located
right next to TNU “white house”
• 450 PCs with high speed internet
connection, wireless access
• Modern Auditorium 300 seats,
with up-to-date IT equipment to
organize video conference
• Multimedia classroom with
international standards

14. Opportunities: What
possibilities exists
Strengths: What do we do
well?
• Strategic alliances, partnerships
• Innovation an technology development:
may offer:
• New innovative services…
• New free working tools
• High operating cost
• Lack of staff for middle managerial
positions
• Lack of connection with falcuty members
• Increased expectations from students for
resources and services
• Budget cut due to economic uncertainties
& decrease in student population
• Challengs of staying updated with rapidly
changing technology…
Threats: What can go
wrong?
Weaknesses: What is
wrong now?
S W
TO
INTERNAL FOCUS
EXTERNAL FOCUS
Case: TNU LRC
• Good leadership & effective management
• Young, danamics, well-educated staff
• Good infrastructure, modern equipments
• Good business network
• Famous brand name

15. TNU LRC’s stategic development plan
1. Build and maintain a healthy working
environment -> excellent
organizational culture
2. Apply ICT tools to advance work
performance and build a culture of
working smarter not harder
3. Build and maintain a good business
network
4. Diversify activities & income resouces
5. Cut down operating costs
2020

16. Diversify activities
Training
Cooperation
+ For degree
+ Short training
Space for
lease:
3D-cinema
Canteen
Training/
workshop
Projects
+ International
+ National:
Tech
transferring
Library/
Information
services
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

17. Main Services & Activities

18. Địa chỉ: Phường Tân Thịnh – TP Thái Nguyên
Tel: +84 280 246 0456 Fax: +84 280 3656 601
Web: www.lrc-tnu.edu.vn
Đào tạo và liên kết đào tạo
• Liên kết đào tạo cử nhân hệ từ xa, hệ liên thông và
văn bằng 2 các chuyên ngành: Kế toán, Quản trị Kinh
doanh, Luật Kinh tế, Tài chính Ngân hàng …
• c Singapore
• Đào tạo ngắn hạn, cấp chứng chỉ: Thư viện – Thiết
bị dạy học
Là đơn vị đầu mối quản lý, điều hành hệ thống thông
tin-thư viện ĐHTN, giảng đường thứ 2 của sinh viên
Dịch vụ thư viện
• Tư vấn, thiết kế, xây dựng thư viện điện tử, trực tiếp
chuyển giao phần mềm quản lý thư viện tích hợp và phần
mềm quản lý tài nguyên số…
• Dịch vụ số hoá tài liệu đóng tập và biên tập siêu dữ liệu
• Cung cấp thông tin theo nhu cầu giảng dạy, nghiên cứu
khoa học, làm luận văn/luận án…của bạn đọc
• Tài nguyên số: http://trungtamhoclieuthainguyen.com/
•Tư vấn, thiết kế và tổ chức các hoạt động đào tạo, tập
huấn ngắn hạn, hội thảo….

19. Training
Cooperation
Space for
lease:
3D-cinema
Canteen
Training/
workshop
Projects:
+ International
+ National:
Tech
transferring
Library
services:
LRC users
fee
Government
fund
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
TNU LRC’ REVENUE MODEL

20. Opportunities: Thinking out of the box
• Library - A small cinema
• Education, culture events
• Training on basic IT
• HCMC: Business libra
• Hai Phong Libra:
Children Library
• Open: cafeteria,
bookshop…

21. Khai trương phòng chiếu phim 3D

22. • Briefly explain S.W.O.T analysis
• Case: TNU Learning Resource Center
• Group discussion: Using SWOT analysis
to identify strategic direction for
YOUR library sustainable
development
CONTENTS

23. Group discussion
• 1 PIC = 1 group
• Work in group to discuss and prepare a SWOT
analysis for your library: 15 minutes
• Group presentation: 5 minutes + 5 minutes for
discussion, Q & A

24. Strengths: What do we do well?
• What are your advantages?
• What do you do better than anyone
else?
• What relevant resources do you have?
• What is your organization's Unique
Selling Proposition(USP)?
Opportunities: What possibilities
exists
•Strategic alliances, partnerships
•Innovation an technology development
• Changes in government policy related to
yourfield.
•Changes in social patterns, population
profiles, lifestyle changes, and so on
Threats: What can go wrong?
•Loss af alliances and partners
•Price infaltion/deflation
•Is changing technology threatening your
position?
•Competitors new products and innovation
Weaknesses: What is wrong now?
•Gap in experience, knowledge
•Financial aspects
•Reliability and trust
•Loss of key staff
•Geographical factors
S W
TO
INTERNAL
FOCUS
EXTERNAL
FOCUS
Questions to answer/Suggestions

25. References
• http://www.managementstudyguide.com/
• http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130315125605-
32175171-5-ways-to-encourage-creative-thinking
• http://www.slideshare.net/HieuThiu/introduction-of-thai-
nguyen-university-learning-resource-center
• http://www.olc.org/orientation/instruction.htm