Final answer:
External forces like changing tastes, technology, economic shifts, and natural events can impact a firm's internal operations by altering market conditions and competition levels. Technological advancements and globalization have intensified competition, and natural conditions can affect supply and demand.
Step-by-step explanation:
Changing tastes, the development of new technologies, recessions, storms, and war are forces that make up the external marketing environment of a firm and affect its internal operations. This influence can alter a firm's strategic planning, as it must adapt to shifts in the market and external conditions. For example, technological advancements and globalization have drastically reshaped the market landscape, significantly increasing competition for many businesses.
Technological shifts such as improvements in communication technologies and the advent of the Internet allow consumers to purchase products from across the globe, intensifying competition for local retail businesses. Similarly, business-to-business websites enable suppliers and buyers worldwide to connect, altering traditional market dynamics. On a different note, natural conditions like good weather can positively affect supply, often leading to increased production and availability of certain goods.