“SWOT is an acronym for the internal Strengths and Weaknesses of a firm and the environmental Opportunities and Threats facing that firm. SWOT analysis is a widely used technique through which managers create a quick overview of a company’s strategic situation. The technique is based on the assumption that an effective strategy derives from a sound “fit” between a firm’s internal resources (strengths and weaknesses) and its external situation (opportunities and threats). A good fit maximizes a firm’s strengths and opportunities and minimizes its weaknesses and threats. Accurately applied, this simple assumption has powerful implications for the design of a successful strategy.”

MetLife 

MetLife is a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to individual and institutional customers. MetLife enjoys strong market position and is a leading brand in the US. The company counts more than 70 million customers around the world. MetLife is the second largest provider of individual life insurance and annuities in the US, with $18 billion of statutory individual life and annuity premiums and deposits till September 30, 2007. Based on sales till September 2007, the company was ranked sixth in the individual variable life insurance and ninth in the sale of individual life insurance products in the US. However, natural disasters could increase the company’s claim payments, primarily in the auto and home segment, increasing the expenses and thereby reducing the margins of the company.