【マーケティング#1】PEST分析とはなにか?
今回は PEST分析とはなにか? についてわかりやすくまとめました!
後半のビジネス英語コンテンツもぜひご覧ください!
■PEST分析とは
PEST分析は、戦略的マーケティング における、外部環境(市場環境)分析のフレームワークで、自社に影響を与える 外部環境要因 を「政治・経済・社会・技術」の4要素に分けて分析する手法です。
■戦略的マーケティングの枠組み
戦略的マーケティング枠組み は以下の通りです。今回のPEST分析は 環境分析 に含まれます。
■外部環境(市場環境)分析の定義
環境分析は、外部環境分析 と 内部環境分析 に分かれます。
PEST分析は外部環境分析 です!
■PEST分析のやり方とコツ・事例
PEST分析のやり方については、とても参考になった記事を紹介します!
記事の英訳でビジネス英語学習コンテンツをつくりましたのでぜひご覧ください!
■PEST analysis: How to do it, tips, and examples
PEST analysis is a method of analyzing the external environmental factors that affect your company by dividing them into four elements: politics, economy, society, and technology. It is a framework that forms the basis of all business strategies such as marketing and sales activities. Here we will introduce what you can learn from PEST analysis, its purpose, how to proceed, and examples.
PEST analysis is a framework for analyzing the external environment in which your company is placed and using it in your business strategy. External environmental factors that affect your company and its products are analyzed from four perspectives: politics, economy, society, and technology.
External environmental analysis is broadly divided into macro-environmental analysis, which captures the trends of the world from a broad perspective, and micro-environmental analysis, which focuses on customer trends and competitive trends related to your company's products, and PEST analysis is classified as macro-environmental analysis. It can be said that the macro-environment is an external environment that cannot be changed by the efforts of a single company, while the micro-environment is something that can be changed by your company's strategies and measures.
PEST analysis can clarify how the external environment surrounding your company will affect your current or near future.
The following are some typical examples of its use:
・Explore the possibility of entering a new market
・Use it to develop a business strategy to respond to changes in social conditions
・Identify businesses that should be withdrawn
・Identify businesses that need a major change in direction
For example, online communication and purchasing activities have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, with the evolution of technology, SaaS companies have emerged, and some companies may need to withdraw or pivot (change direction) from their own products.
By capturing the impact of changes in the external environment from multiple angles, you can take the initiative in both offense and defense.
The purpose of conducting a PEST analysis is to grasp the trends and changes in the world and use them in your business growth strategy. No matter what kind of business you are, it is greatly affected by the external environment. In today's world, where change is rapid and the future is uncertain, it can be said that developing a business without conducting market research carries the risk of leading to incorrect decision-making.
On the other hand, if you can identify the trends in the market, you may be able to discover new business opportunities. For this reason, PEST analysis is often used as a foundation for deciding on any strategy or measure.
Let's take a closer look at the four elements of PEST analysis.
Politics
Political environmental factors refer to trends in politics, laws, tax systems, etc. that affect your company. The main examples are listed below.
-National policies
-Legal reforms
-Strengthening or relaxing of regulations
-Changes in tax systems
-Changes in subsidy and grant systems
Political factors are very important because they bring about rule changes in business. For example, some SaaS companies have accelerated their growth due to legal reforms such as the Electronic Bookkeeping Act and the Personal Information Protection Act, while others have had to change their business. Companies that have expanded overseas may be affected by policies such as tariff increases, as well as changes in government in the country they are expanding into.
Depending on the content, it may be an opportunity or a threat for your company, so it is necessary to always collect the latest information and be able to respond quickly.
Economy
Economic factors refer to economic trends that have a significant impact on sales, costs, etc. The main items are as follows.
・Economy
・Prices
・Stock prices
・Exchange rates
・Interest rates
・Wages
・Economic growth rate
・Consumption trends
・Unemployment rate
・Inflation and deflation trends
For example, if exchange rate fluctuations cause purchase costs to rise, profits will be squeezed and measures will be necessary. Since economic trends change over a long period of time, it is important to respond while making medium- to long-term predictions.
Society
Social factors refer to changes in consumer awareness, lifestyle, trends, etc. Examples of main items are as follows.
・Changes in demographics and household composition
・Changes in social infrastructure
・Changes in consumer awareness and lifestyle
・Fashion
・Changes in education and culture
Social factors are elements that are familiar to marketing personnel. For example, the increase in dual-income households has led to an increase in products and services that support housework and childcare. In addition, purchasing behavior has changed significantly due to the spread of SNS. By understanding social factors, you will be able to respond quickly to changes in values and needs.
Technology
Technological factors refer to innovative technologies, technological trends, infrastructure, research and development trends, etc. that affect business. The main items are listed below.
・Big data
・AI
・IoT
・Design technology
・Production technology
・Patents
Technological factors are elements that affect business growth and value chains. For example, advances in big data analysis technology have accelerated the digitalization of marketing. In addition, some companies are creating innovations by anticipating cutting-edge technologies such as AI, 3D technology, network technology, and recycling technology.
By understanding technological factors, it becomes easier to identify factors that will lead to business growth, such as creating new markets and gaining competitive advantages.
Let's look at how to proceed with PEST analysis in five steps.
1. Information collection
First, collect information on the four external environmental factors of "politics, economy, society, and technology." The information used in PEST analysis is wide-ranging, so be careful not to collect it blindly as it will take a huge amount of time. The key to proceed efficiently is to pick out factors while taking into account the degree of impact on your company.
It is also important to collect accurate information. Collect reliable information such as statistical data published by the government, reports by research institutes, and information released by industry associations and media organizations.
2. Classify into the four PEST elements
Classify the collected information into four elements: politics, economy, society, and technology. There may be information that is difficult to classify, but in PEST analysis, it is important to carefully examine the information that will affect your company, rather than whether it is accurately classified.
3. Classify environmental factors into facts and interpretations
Next, organize the external environmental factors classified into four categories into facts and interpretations. In PEST analysis, fact-based analysis is important, but there are cases where elements such as subjective evaluations and personal opinions are mixed in as the information is organized. By adding a step to separate facts and interpretations, you can prevent incorrect analysis results.
For the difference between facts and interpretations, please refer to the following.
・Facts: Actual events and statistical data
・Interpretations: What can be derived from actual events and statistical data
4. Classify into opportunities and threats
Divide the facts organized in step 3 into "opportunities" and "threats." Opportunities are factors that are expected to work to your company's advantage, while threats are factors that pose risks or disadvantages.
Even if a factor seems to be a tailwind for the entire industry at first glance, it may be disadvantageous to your company's business. Conversely, even if a factor seems like a threat, if you change your perspective, it may become a business opportunity, such as differentiating yourself from your competitors. Therefore, it is important to organize from the perspective of "what it means for your company" rather than the general impact.
In addition, opportunities and threats may occur in the short term, and changes may be expected in the long term. Organizing the time axis will also make it easier to proceed with the discussion smoothly.
5. Reflection in strategy
Refine the organized opportunities and threats into your business strategy. The principle in strategy formulation is to seize opportunities and avoid threats. The strategy will be realized while taking into account the importance, urgency, growth potential, etc.
Let's look at some examples to deepen your understanding of PEST analysis.
Example of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic affected many companies regardless of industry. In reality, information is collected and analyzed in consideration of the impact on your company, but the following are examples of typical factors for your reference.
P (Politics)
- Restrictions on going out
- Provision of subsidies and grants to support management
- Lockdowns in various countries around the world
E (Economy):
- Increased use of online shops and takeout
- Increased sales in telework-related businesses
- Sharp decline in sales in travel, leisure, and food and beverage industries
S (Society)
- Increased communication using SNS and the Internet
- Penetration of a new lifestyle that avoids the 3 Cs
T (Technology):
- Acceleration of online customer service tools and virtual apps
- Evolution of contactless technology
For example, the travel and leisure industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is an increasing demand for golf, which allows people to exercise while avoiding the 3 Cs, due to concerns about lack of exercise caused by staying at home. Companies that develop their business in light of these environmental factors have also found new opportunities.
Example of the SaaS industry
Let's look at an example of the SaaS industry, which provides cloud-based services. Although it depends on the type of service provided, the main factors are listed below.
P (Politics)
・Promotion of DX
・Penetration of telework
・Subsidy system for promoting IT in companies
E (Economy)
・Cloud service market is expanding year by year
S (Society)
・Generational gap in digital literacy
・Increasing awareness of personal information
T (Technology)
・Advancement of AI, IoT, and big data technologies
・Increasing costs of introducing the latest technologies
・Increasing number of new entrants
The SaaS industry tends to change rapidly, so it is important to keep up with the latest trends.
PEST analysis is an analytical method for accurately capturing the external environment surrounding your company, and is the foundation for strategy formulation in marketing and sales activities. By grasping the trends and signs of change in the world, it is possible to turn threats into opportunities. Please make effective use of it.
■ビジネス英単語
PEST analysis PEST分析
External environmental factors 外部環境要因
Business strategy ビジネス戦略
Sales activities 販売活動
Macro-environmental analysis マクロ環境分析
Micro-environmental analysis ミクロ環境分析
Customer trends 顧客動向
Competitive trends 競争動向
Market research 市場調査
National policies 国家政策
Legal reforms 法改正
Regulations 規制
Tax systems 税制
Subsidies and grants 補助金と助成金
Economic trends 経済動向
Stock prices 株価
Exchange rates 為替レート
Interest rates 金利
Wages 賃金
Economic growth rate 経済成長率
Consumption trends 消費動向
Unemployment rate 失業率
Inflation and deflation trends インフレとデフレの動向
Demographics 人口統計
Household composition 世帯構成
Social infrastructure 社会インフラ
Consumer awareness 消費者意識
Design technology 設計技術
Production technology 生産技術
Patents 特許
Statistical data 統計データ
Research institutes 研究機関
Industry associations 業界団体
Media organizations メディア機関
Opportunities 機会
Threats 脅威
Competitive advantages 競争優位
■ビジネス英語フレーズ
The company conducted a PEST analysis to understand the market.
会社は市場を理解するためにPEST分析を行いました。
External environmental factors can significantly impact business operations.
外部環境要因はビジネス運営に大きな影響を与える可能性があります。
Developing a strong business strategy is crucial for success.
強力なビジネス戦略を立てることは成功のために重要です。
Effective sales activities are essential for increasing revenue.
効果的な販売活動は収益を増やすために不可欠です。
Macro-environmental analysis helps in understanding broader market trends.
マクロ環境分析は広範な市場動向を理解するのに役立ちます。
Micro-environmental analysis focuses on specific industry factors.
ミクロ環境分析は特定の業界要因に焦点を当てます。
Monitoring customer trends is vital for product development.
顧客動向を監視することは製品開発にとって重要です。
Keeping an eye on competitive trends can provide a strategic advantage.
競争動向を注視することは戦略的な優位性をもたらします。
Market research is necessary to identify consumer needs.
市場調査は消費者のニーズを特定するために必要です。
National policies can influence business regulations.
国家政策はビジネス規制に影響を与える可能性があります。
Legal reforms may require companies to adjust their practices.
法改正は企業がその慣行を調整する必要があるかもしれません。
Companies must comply with regulations to avoid penalties.
企業は罰則を避けるために規制を遵守しなければなりません。
Understanding tax systems is important for financial planning.
税制を理解することは財務計画にとって重要です。
Subsidies and grants can provide financial support for projects.
補助金と助成金はプロジェクトに対する財政的支援を提供することができます。
Economic trends can affect consumer spending habits.
経済動向は消費者の支出習慣に影響を与える可能性があります。
Stock prices are influenced by market conditions.
株価は市場の状況に影響されます。
Exchange rates can impact international trade.
為替レートは国際貿易に影響を与える可能性があります。
Interest rates affect borrowing costs for businesses.
金利は企業の借入コストに影響を与えます。
Wages are a key factor in employee satisfaction.
賃金は従業員の満足度における重要な要因です。
The economic growth rate is an indicator of a country's economic health.
経済成長率は国の経済の健全性を示す指標です。
Consumption trends can indicate shifts in market demand.
消費動向は市場の需要の変化を示すことがあります。
The unemployment rate is a measure of job market health.
失業率は雇用市場の健全性を測る指標です。
Inflation and deflation trends can impact purchasing power.
インフレとデフレの動向は購買力に影響を与える可能性があります。
Demographics provide insights into population characteristics.
人口統計は人口の特性に関する洞察を提供します。
Household composition affects consumer behavior.
世帯構成は消費者行動に影響を与えます。
Social infrastructure is crucial for community development.
社会インフラは地域社会の発展にとって重要です。
Consumer awareness influences purchasing decisions.
消費者意識は購買決定に影響を与えます。
Advances in design technology can lead to innovative products.
設計技術の進歩は革新的な製品を生み出す可能性があります。
Production technology improvements can increase efficiency.
生産技術の向上は効率を高めることができます。
Patents protect intellectual property rights.
特許は知的財産権を保護します。
Statistical data is essential for market analysis.
統計データは市場分析に不可欠です。
Research institutes contribute to scientific advancements.
研究機関は科学の進歩に貢献します。
Industry associations provide networking opportunities.
業界団体はネットワーキングの機会を提供します。
Media organizations play a role in shaping public opinion.
メディア機関は世論形成に役割を果たします。
Identifying opportunities can lead to business growth.
機会を特定することはビジネスの成長につながります。
Recognizing threats is important for risk management.
脅威を認識することはリスク管理にとって重要です。
Competitive advantages can differentiate a company from its rivals.
競争優位は企業を競合他社から差別化することができます。
■さいごに
今回は PEST分析とはなにか? についてわかりやすく解説しました!
マーケティングの理解向上と英語学習にお役にたてたでしょうか?
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