SWOT and PEST(EL) analyses are frameworks for examining internal/external factors that impact projects/businesses. SWOT looks at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, both internal and external. PEST(EL) analyzes political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal external factors. These tools help organizations identify threats/weaknesses and develop strategies. For the UK creative industries, Brexit may mean additional legal/regulatory barriers like work permits when traveling to the EU, and loss of EU funding. Currently the UK government is investing in rural internet access, youth projects, and combating loneliness.

1. SWOT and PEST(EL)
SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It is
an analysis, a ‘framework for identifying and analysing the internal and
external factors that can have an impact on the viability of a project,
product, place or person.’ It allows companies to look at their position and
develop strategy. It helps you look at your business in an objective sense and
try to improve the way you look at your business. Strengths and weakness are
internal and can be improve don such as team members, patents, locations
and your own intellectual property. External
factors are (opportunities and threats) things
that happen outside of your company,
competitors, prices and trends are things you
can’t change, although you can protect
yourself from the threats and use the
opportunities given. SWOT organises all
theses things into a simple presentation. 1
2PEST(EL) is another acronym for political,
economic, social, legal, environmental
and technology. It helps to analyse and
monitor external marketing
environmental factors faced by an
organisation. They use PEST (EL) to identify
the threats and weaknesses in SWOT and
help develop it further. Depending on the
organisation, the acronym can be
reduced to PEST.
In the UK some factors effecting (Positively and Negatively) business and
ventures are:
Political – Proactive Government, politically stable, split into national and
local administrations. Well-hidden corruption, uncertainty whether or not to
stay in the EU, or leave (Brexit).
1
https://www.liveplan.com/blog/what-is-a-swot-analysis-and-how-to-do-it-right-with-examples/
2
https://www.google.com/search?q=pestel)+analysis&rlz=1C1GCEB_en&oq=pest(el)&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.
6143j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on

2. Economic – 5th highest GDP in the world, second in Europe only to Germany.
Big population means it gives room for small markets or areas to be
profitable. Increasing Foreign Direct Investment. Still recovering from 2008
economic recession. The NDHS and free public services are draining
resources and money.
Social – Free public services, very densely populated, open to immigration
which allows 1 in 8 inhabitants to be born abroad (helps create a large,
cheap workforce), social issues involve uneasiness with immigration and other
ethnic minorities.
Technological – the UK is a MEDC (more economically developed) which
means it has innovation skills, experts in science and IT, lots of creative growth
in the creative technology economy, however it is slower in comparison to
the US.
What does / might Brexit mean for the creative industries?
Europe – Companies or freelancers in the creative sector need to consider, if
you are travelling to the EU either for filming or work etc how Brexit may effect
your travel situation, customs may be longer and harder to get through. You
will need social security, have appropriate health insurance, there may be
extra conditions if you re engaging in business activities. Sometimes taking
items across country, depending on what the item is, may need you to have
permission. 3
Employees will need visas or work permits.
Your organisation or you will need to check contacts to make sure you
continue to receive data legally.
Organisations – ‘UK organisations may face additional legal, regulatory and
administrative barriers, including appointing local representatives and
meeting trade regulations.’ You will need an EORI number if you are
purchasing goods or selling.
3
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/touring-europe-if-theres-no-brexit-deal

3. EU Funding – the government is providing funding to help programmes.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/delivery-of-the-hmg-guarantee-for-creative-
europe-europe-for-citizens-and-connecting-europe-facility-in-telecoms
Cultural policy - what is currently happening in the UK?
Currently in the UK mobile coverage will £1 Billion pounds better as
the government has set out to ‘banish rural not-spots’. £12 million
boost to youth projects in the area as part of the governments
commitment to help young people thrive. Loneliness is being tackled
as £2 million pounds is being funded to organisations. A new Culture
Investment Fund is being launched to help local growth, a lot of
support for young people and help culture within our communities
grow. The department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport help to
drive growth, enrich lives and promote Britain abroad.
Creating Music Videos for Musician - SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Some musicians can’t afford/or don’t have a label to create their
music videos
- I can give them as much control or as little control of the video;
however, a company can sometimes not give them choose on
how much control they have over their videos.
- It’s a fun and personal collaboration
- I am able to create and edit their music videos (unless they would
otherwise want to)
- I am young and full of ideas and no idea is too outlandish.
- I have my own website set up

4. Weaknesses
- I am still new at making music videos and starting out will be hard
- I will have to start making videos for free
- I can occasionally be disorganised
Opportunities
- I am at BBC Voices and I can relate to people my age and
through that way, the musicians there will be my friends in
general. It would just be friends helping each other out.
- I tell them than it would be more collaborative and play to my
strengths
- Gain more experience, make more.
Threats
- People with more experience in media
- Lots of competition in the media industry