A Case Study
The History of Weight Watchers International, Inc. Weight Watchers International, Inc. was founded in 1961 by Jean Nidetch, who had found herself constantly on a diet but never losing any weight. Knowing she needed more she attended a diet seminar. Ms. Nidetch lost 20 pounds after the seminar, but soon found her motivation dwindling. She invited some friends over who sympathized with her battle of the bulge and they began to share with the group their struggles with food. The group of women began to lose weight and within a short time Nidetch was hosting more than 40 people in her apartment for these support group meetings. Weight Watchers International, Inc. is an industry leader of weight loss and management services, serving 30 countries. Presently, over a million people attend over 40,000 meetings weekly throughout the world. Research shows that people who have support through weekly weight groups are more likely to lose and keep it over others who try to lose weight on their own. Weight Watchers International, Inc. provides weight management services; it operates internationally through a system of company owned companies. Adapting to the customer base, Weight Watchers now offers Internet subscription to their weight management products, this allows a convenient option for those who miss a meeting or for those who do not or cannot attend weekly group sessions.
Weight Watchers International, Inc. – S.W.O.T. Analysis
SWOT Analysis - Overview
Weight Watchers International, Inc. is in the customer service industry, providing weight management services internationally. Strengths include loyal customers. Their increasing liabilities are a weakness. The growing popularity of other programs, such as yoga, are a threat as well as intellectual property violations that could impede the company’s growth. The growing market dealing with childhood obesity is an area that Weight Watchers
References: Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderland, L., & Brizee, A. (2011, April 19). General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Center for Disease Control and Prevention Sherman, A. (2010, July 27). Weight Watchers Adapts Point System for China Growth. Weight Watcher. (2010). Weight Watchers 2010 Annual Report. New York, NY: Sardini http://www.weightwatchersinternational.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=130178&p=irol-reportsAnnual