STEEPLE STEEPLE analysis considers the possible impact of broader factors on your industry and your business.

It is a simple framework used to identify factors in the business environment that mightimpact on the organisation or a business area. Factors are identified in 7 areas.STEEPLE is concerned with the key political (and regulatory), economic, social (and demographic),environmental, legal, ethical and technological factors shaping industry change.Identifying STEEPLE influences is a good way of summarising the external environment in which abusiness operates -but it does not stop there - it must be followed up by considering how the businessshould respond to those influences.STEEPLE factors should be looked at in terms of the patterns emerging (do not analyse themseparately). A good tip is to ask the 'so what?' question So what will this mean and what is your response? These factors will identify threats and opportunities, which can then be addressed as part of thestrategic plan. Some of the factors that could indicate how the business environment is being influencedinclude

Social: Income distribution, Demographics, Labour/Social mobility, Lifestyle changes,Work/life balance, Portfolio careers, Education, Fashion/fads, Health/welfare, Livingconditions, Poverty levels, Job security.

Technological: Government spending on research, Governments and industry focus ontechnological effort, New discoveries and developments, Speed of technology transfer, Rateof technological obsolescence, Energy use and costs, Impact of

changes on IT, Internet,Mobile communications, IT spend, New communication channels.

Economical: Global economy, Information/knowledge economy, Monetary policy,Government spending, Unemployment policy, Taxation, Exchange rates, inflation, Stages of the business cycle, Economic 'mood'.

Environmental: 'Green A genda', Global warming, Climate change, Carbon emissions,Recycling, Environmental regulation/protection.

Political: General election result, Lisbon strategy, White papers e.g. A ctions onCompetitiveness.

Legal: Statutory and regulatory conditions, Corporate governance, Compliance, Internationaltrade regulations, Compliance, International trade regulations, Competition regulation.

Ethical: Business ethics, Consent, Client confidentiality, Official Secrets A ct, Security access,terms of business/trade, Trust, Reputation. Advantages Focuses attention on some of the wider changes in the environment - even outside your ownparticular market. Draws attention to some of the 'softer' issues, like the political (and regulatory), and the social. Helps to gain a better understanding for external conditions for growth in a market. Comprehensive and can cover any eventuality. D isadvantages

Sometimes merely highlights the obvious Doesn't tell you 'where you are now' (doesn't establish a stake in the ground) Too comprehensive - requires too much detail, therefore needs a lot of operational resourceto carry it out with accuracy