Key Idea: STEEPLE analysis helps businesses analyse the external environment. It identifies factors that can create opportunities or threats for the business.
[Diagram: steeple-factors]
📈 Opportunities: **Tech growth —** new products. **Economic growth —** more demand. **Social trends —** new markets.
⚠️ Threats: **Regulation —** higher costs. **Economic downturn —** lower demand. **Competition —** pressure on prices.
Always APPLY STEEPLE to the case. Generic answers score low.
Explain HOW the external factor affects the business (costs, demand, profit).
Important: Students list factors without explaining impact — this limits marks.
- Identify relevant STEEPLE factor
- Explain it clearly
- Apply it to the business
- Show impact on performance
- Classify as opportunity or threat