1. General External Environment - Scan the overall environment in which the CVS exists.Conduct a Situational analysis- focus on the trends in the six areas- you are scanning these external areas- to be able to predict the segments that you expect to have the most significant influence on your focal firm- -over the next several years, three to five years- (see chapter two of your text for details)

a. Technological trends

b. Demographic trends

c. Economic trends

d. Political-legal trends

e. Sociocultural trends

f. Global trends