In order to gain insight into the management strategy related to the structural influences on an organization, you will utilizeLife Is Goodas a focus company, including theAboutsection of their website and this segment:Our Story(Time: 2:52, cc avalailable).You will also view an additional video in the directions for the third requirement. Assume that you are part of the management team at Life Is Good and respond to the following questions:

1. Describe the types of external factors which could influence how a business organization operates by addressing the following:
   1. Economic: define this external factor and provide an example of how it could impact Life Is Good. In your role as a manager, describe how you could address the indicated issue to minimize any negative impact or maximize any positive impact.
   2. Government and Political: define this external factor and provide an example of how it could impact Life Is Good. In your role as a manager, describe how you could address the indicated issue to minimize any negative impact or maximize any positive impact.
   3. Natural Disasters & Human-Induced Problems: define this external factor and provide an example of how it could impact Life Is Good. In your role as a manager, describe how you could address the indicated issue to minimize any negative impact or maximize any positive impact.
   4. Sociocultural: define this external factor and provide an example of how it could impact Life Is Good. In your role as a manager, describe how you could address the indicated issue to minimize any negative impact or maximize any positive impact.
   5. Technological: define this external factor and provide an example of how it could impact Life Is Good. In your role as a manager, describe how you could address the indicated issue to minimize any negative impact or maximize any positive impact.
2. Assume that you were involved in Life Is Good during its initial growth and were asked for input on grouping people, functions, customers, and other aspects of the business. Characterize the types of structures available for organizing a business by addressing the following:
   1. Define the difference between as mechanistic and an organic organizational structure. Based on your understanding of how the company operates from your review of their website and video, indicate which type would be appropriate and how you would classify their environment (e.g. stable, unstable, etc.).
   2. Divisional: define this type of structure and provide an example of how it could be utilized.
   3. Geographic: define this type of structure and provide an example of how it could be utilized.
   4. Matrix: define this type of structure and provide an example of how it could be utilized.
   5. Network: define this type of structure and provide an example of how it could be utilized.
   6. Virtual: define this type of structure and provide an example of how it could be utilized.
3. Review this Inc. Magazine segment regarding the replacement of co-founder Bert Jacobs as President:The Single Decision that Saved Life Is Good(Time: 4:28, cc in Amara)and thepress releaseannouncing the promotion of Lisa Tanzer, Head of Marketing to President. Discuss how organizational change can impact the structure of a business by addressing the following:
   1. Assume that prior to this change, Life Is Good operated under an informal organization approach and changed to a formal approach under the new President. Define each type of approach and provide one advantage and one disadvantage to Life Is Good. Do you believe that this change would benefit the company? Indicate why or why not.
   2. Assume that you were asked to meet with the new President to discuss different approaches for implementing change. Define the difference between "deficit-based change" and "abundance-based" change. In your opinion, which method would be more appropriate?
   3. Culture: define this type of change and provide an example of how the corporate culture could change under the new President.
   4. Structural: define this type of change and provide an example of a formal relationship that could change under the new President.
   5. Technological: define this type of change and provide an example of how the technology could change under the new President.