Final answer:
Marketing mix elements consist of Product, Price, Place, and Promotion, which businesses control to influence buying decisions, whereas environmental forces are external factors like social, technological, and political forces that impact a business and require adaptation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To distinguish between marketing mix elements and environmental forces:
a) Definition of Marketing Mix Elements
The marketing mix elements, also known as the 4Ps, include Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. These are the controllable variables that a company can use to influence consumers' buying decisions. For example, a product's design, its price point, the distribution channels it is available through, and the promotional strategies used to advertise it are all marketing mix elements.
b) Concept of Environmental Forces
Environmental forces are external factors that impact a company's marketing strategy but are outside of its direct control. These include economic, social, technological, political, and legal forces, among others. For instance, changes in consumer preferences, new technological advancements, and shifts in regulatory policies all constitute environmental forces that can affect how a company goes to market.
c) Similarities between Marketing Mix and Environmental Forces
While marketing mix elements and environmental forces are distinct, they both play a crucial role in shaping a company's marketing strategy. Together, they determine the competitiveness and potential success of a product in the marketplace.
d) Contrast between Marketing Mix Elements and Environmental Forces
Marketing mix elements are tools that businesses can control and manipulate to meet the needs of their customer base, whereas environmental forces are uncontrollable and must be adapted to. For example, a company can change its promotional strategy (a marketing mix element), but it cannot change the state of the economy (an environmental force).