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PESTLE Analysis - Marketing Plan

PESTLE analysis is a useful tool for understanding the industry situation as a whole, and is often used in conjunction with a SWOT analysis to assess the situation of an individual business.
 
PESTLE stands for “Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal and Environmental” factors. The questions to ask yourself are:
 
  • What are the key political factors likely to affect the industry?
  • What are the important economic factors?
  • What cultural aspects are most important?
  • What technological innovations are likely to occur?
  • What current and impending legislation may affect the industry?
  • What are the environmental considerations?
 
Factor
Often Comprised Of
Political
Taxation policy, political support
 
Economic
Overall economic situation, strength of spending, level of interest rates, inflation and unemployment
 
Sociological
Demographics, attitudes towards issues such as education, corporate responsibility and the environment, social mobility, lifestyle patterns and changes
 
Technological
Relevant current and future technology innovations
 
Legal
Existing legislation and likely future changes in the law – examples include employment, competition, health & safety and European law.
 
Environmental
The level of pollution, recycling considerations, and attitudes to the environment – linked in with political and sociological factors