Case

Please make out a SWOT analysis on the basis of the case given below and determine the strategy Mr.Chowdhury would undertake. (20 Marks)

Mr. Delwar Hossain Chowdhury, hailing from Bianibazar of Sylhet district migrated to London 20 years back. He studied up to class eight and went to London being inspired by a cousin of him who had already been there. On arrival to London, he got engaged in the hotel business of his cousin. Delwar Hossain was a talented man although he had poor academic degree. Very soon he realized that hotel business is a profitable one provided it can be run properly. So he himself underwent training on hotel management as well as cooking. After that he borrowed money from bank in addition to the cash money he had with him as savings and opened a small hotel himself. Because of his managerial capability he was earning reasonable profit. Within 8 years he not only consolidated the existing one but also set up another hotel of better quality at a posh area of London despite the fact that there existed quite a good number of well-known Indian hotels in that area. Now, Delwar Hossain is no longer a poor man ; he has employed 100 employees in his two hotels. Moreover, he has also earned name and fame in the community for his success in the business. Last year he came to Sylhet with his family and stayed in the Sylhet city for quite a few days. He had a lot of communications and meetings with his relatives and friends in Sylhet. He has also witnessed the fast growing development scenario of the town in particular and the division in general. He being a man of entrepreneurial capability envisioned the establishment of a 5 Star hotel in Sylhet, although he knows there are existence luxurious resorts like Zakaria Estate, Nazimgar, the Palace Luxurious Hotel & Spa, and many others in close proximity of Sylhet town. As a son of the soil, he possesses quite a good idea and understanding about Sylhet. The following scenario flashed into his mind:

• Sylhet has long been regarded as a holy city because the Mazars of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) , Hazrat Shah Paran ( R ) & many other saints are located here. Hundreds of people (including from abroad) visit the mazars every day to owe their respects.

• Compared to other divisional towns, Sylhet has more hotels most of which are not earning profits due to mismanagement, but it is also true that new hotels are being established.

• A sizable percentage of people of Sylhet Division live abroad, specially in UK who visit their homeland frequently; they prefer to have a short stay in the city hotel before starting for their house in the interior rural area.

• People of Sylhet at large is conservative by nature; they hardly accept the people of other regions cordially ; a natural barrier between natives & non- natives seems to exist all over. However, with the passage of time this cultural barrier is getting thinner day by day.

• Sylhet town does have four private, two public universities and more than two medical colleges, in spite of a number renowned schools and colleges. It has also one international airport facilitating national and international communication. Road communication from the capital and other cities is also good. The investment possibility in Sylhet is not bleak at all. The idea of a Special Economic Zone is in the offing. Government is seriously thinking of Special Economic Zone in Sylhet as well as other parts of the country.

• Sylhet Division is endowed with a number of natural resources like natural gas, lime stone etc. It is also rich in natural beauty having lash green tea gardens in hilly lands, natural waterfall in Madabkundu along with cultural heritage of the tribal people in or around.

• Sylhet is also well- known for its beautiful border area i.e. Tamabil with India across which the seven sisters ( the seven under privileged states of India ) are located. Unhindered (meaning Trade & Non-Tariff barriers) trade relationships with the seven sisters can be an opening of a new vista to mutual benefits of both the sides.

GOOD LUCK