Burt's Bees Swot Analysis

Favorite Brand
Favorite Brand Creating a brand is important for a business. This helps customers recognize the products and associate with that brand name, as well as builds trust between the consumer and the company. Taking steps to show that the company is honest, cares about product quality, considers the environment, and values customers’ opinions is beneficial and helps a business gain loyal customers. Being a brand that people know and trust is what will push customers into choosing that brand over competitors.
Burt’s Bees Inc. Burt’s Bees began in Maine in 1984 and was created by a woman named Roxanne Quimbly and a beekeeper named Burt Shavitz. Burt’s Bees is a personal care line that carries products from lip balm to lotions
with sunscreen. This company prides themselves on their ingredients, which range from beeswax to willow bark. Burt’s Bees uses natural oils as main ingredients for a healthier choice for consumers. These ingredients are found in nature and doesn’t cause harm to the skin like other products containing harsh chemicals might do.
This company is also a big supporter and participant in sustainability. According to the official website, Burt’s Bees considers what is best for the environment when it comes to its operations, including packaging and sourcing.
Burt’s Bees achieved certification from The CarbonNeutral Company, returned millions of gallons of water by purchasing water restoration certificates from the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and is also a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. Burt’s Bees is an active member of numerous global responsible sourcing groups, such as Global Shea Alliance and Natural Resource Stewardship Circle. There is also the Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation. This non-profit organization focuses on sustaining grassroots initiative that support human and honeybee health (Burt’s Bees,
2015). Burt’s Bees takes steps to ensure their products are fresh and their customers are satisfied. I know from experience that this company cares about their customers’ experience with their products or company. The employees I have encountered respond to inquiries and concerns in a timely manner, as well as with a professional attitude. My satisfaction with their product was important to them, and I have had only pleasant experiences with the staff. Valuing the environment, people, and their company has shown to gain customer relationships across different groups. Customers of different dynamics have shown loyalty to this organization; including those who enjoy the products, and those who are more interested in the bigger picture and what the company is trying to achieve.
Personal Care Competition Most businesses are going to have competition, and personal care items are in abundance in the United States.
Companies must make a strong brand name prove certain things to customers in order for them to choose them over the competition and to continue to do so in the future. Two known competitors of Burt’s Bees include Tom’s of Maine and The Proctor & Gamble Company. Proctor & Gamble own dozens of billion dollar brands for home and health, such as Olay and Pantene. This popular organization has been under fire for allegations concerning operations harmful to the environment. “Greenpeace today reveals the result of a yearlong investigation showing P&G is sourcing palm oil from companies connected to widespread forest devastation. Its sourcing policies also expose its supply chain to forest fires and habitat destruction that is further pushing the Sumatran tiger to the edge of extinction” (Maitar,
2014). I prefer Burt’s Bees over the competition because I enjoy the quality of the product, as well as how it was made and the impact that product has had on living things. Not only does Burt’s Bees practice good business, they encourage others to do so as well. When Burt’s Bees was bought by Clorox in 2007, the company didn’t adapt the chemical company’s ways, but rather influenced them to follow in their steps. Westaway states that Burt’s Bees has brought expertise to Clorox and over a five year span made improvements in sustainability to 35% of its product portfolio (2013).
Conclusion
Building a brand that consumers recognize in a positive way is always good for business. A large company showing that they not only care about consumers as a whole, but the planet they live on is one way to gain loyal customers, as Burt’s Bees has proved. Dedication and consideration in all aspects of business creates a trustworthy brand for people to return to time and time again.

References
Burt’s Bees. (2015). Official Website-Sustainability. Retrieved on May 16, 2015 from http://www.burtsbees.com/Sustainability/sustain-landing,default,pg.html
Maitar, B. (February 26, 2014). Pulling back the shower curtain: Find out about P&G 's dirty secret! Green Peace. Retrieved from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/dirty-palm-oil/blog/48308/
Westaway, K. (July 4, 2013). How Burt’s Bees made Clorox more sustainable. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/burts-bees-clorox-sustainable-change