ROBIN HOOD:

Based on the Robin Hood text, we can identify various elements that enable us to do a SWOT analysis of
his situation.

Strenghts:
Among the Merrymen, Robin had a solid group of men that shared his vision, had grievances, and a deep sense of
justice, which guaranteed him good teamwork, and loyalty.
He spent a year creating the group he had, making them disciplined and united.
He had lieutenants to whom he could delegate the important tasks and they made sure the tasks got accomplished.
He had an intelligence team that collected information on the sheriff, their main enemy, and the rich merchants and
tax collectors, their targets, this added to the fact that the men were trained in archery made sure they had a strong
strategy.
Strength in numbers that helped him succeed in his endeavors helped him attract more members and for sure be a
bigger threat to his enemies.

Weaknesses:
The fact that he accepted anybody who wanted to join after some time without asking questions, or having
requirements was a dangerous move, he exposed his group.
Increasing number of Merrymen put in jeopardy the discipline, cohesion, and training that were characteristic of the
group when they first started, so the level of vigilance was declining.
The growing number of men was making the food they could procure without tapping into their financial reserves
scarce, so the group had to use its financial reserves to buy food.
Needed to take care of their allies, the farmers and the townspeople, and this put them at a disadvantage because it
limited the number of strategic options.
Opportunities:
Strategy change to go from confiscation of goods to a fixed transit tax.
Expansion possibilities within the forest.
Plan to kill the sheriff.
The invitation by the Barons to join the conspiracy against John in exchange for future amnesty presented a good
opportunity, but the possibility of it bringing even more problems if the plan failed made it very risky.


Threats:
Revenues started to decline because targets with the most money started avoiding the forest more and more.
The sheriff increased his access to money and men, this added to the fact that he was running an organized operation,
was undermining the Merrymens attacks.
Sheriff had political connections and powerful friends at court, and was well regarded by Prince John, the present
regent.