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Lesson 38 C2a

PESTEL model

You'll learn how to use the PESTEL model to analyse the external environment and identify strategic opportunities and threats for your organisation.

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In this lesson

  1. 0:00 Introduction to PESTEL framework
  2. 0:32 Six external factors explained
  3. 1:33 Political factors and government impact
  4. 2:46 Economic factors affecting business
  5. 3:41 Social and cultural trends
  6. 4:40 Technological disruption and innovation
  7. 5:42 Environmental and legal considerations
  8. 7:14 Using PESTEL for strategic planning

About this lesson

This framework examines six key factors—political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal—to help you understand what external changes could impact your business and inform your strategic planning. We'll work through each factor with practical examples, showing you how to apply PESTEL in real-world scenarios and anticipate future trends that matter to your organisation. The PESTEL model is essential for Strategic Business Leader (SBL) case study questions, where external environment analysis regularly features in exam scenarios. By mastering this framework, you'll be able to structure your thinking systematically, spot significant external risks and opportunities that examiners expect you to identify, and demonstrate strategic awareness in your answers. Whether you're analysing government regulation changes, shifts in consumer behaviour, technological disruption, or environmental pressures, PESTEL gives you a disciplined approach to ensure you don't miss critical factors that could shape your organisation's future direction.

Duration: 8m

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