The marketing environment consists of internal and external factors that affect a firm's ability to develop transactions and relationships. It includes forces inside and outside the company. The internal environment includes internal stakeholders and functional areas. The external environment includes the microenvironment of suppliers, customers, intermediaries, competitors, and public, as well as the macroenvironment of demographic, economic, natural, technological, political-legal, and socio-cultural factors. Political factors include laws and regulations. Economic factors affect consumer spending and income. Social and cultural forces influence consumer behavior. Technological changes create new markets and opportunities. Natural resources are needed as inputs.