The internal or direct marketing environment involves a company, its competitors, and its customers. In contrast, the external marketing environment is influenced by the economic, technological, legal/political, and cultural/social environments (Perrault, Cannon, & McCarthy, 2015, p. 62). Perrault, Cannon, and McCarthy (2015), define gross domestic product (GDP) as a way of obtaining the total market value of an asset each year by residents or non-residents of the country (p. 79). Furthermore, they explain that gross national income (GNI) is very similar to GDP, however GNI does not include foreign income (p. 79).3. In an article written by Shane Jones, the consumer purchasing process is discussed. Before the consumer buys a product, they must have a problem that makes them want or need your product. Next, the consumer will start researching the brand they are looking for. Customers will evaluate all their alternatives even if they know which particular product they want. The purchase decision is where profit is made or lost. The customer will ultimately decide to buy something, so marketers need to make sure that this process is simple and easy so as not to lose the customer. Finally, after customers purchase a product, they will evaluate the decision they made to decide whether or not they want to keep or return the product.