Who are considered external customers?

External customers are individuals or entities who purchase or use products or services from a business but are not part of the organization itself. In this context, clients who purchase products or services represent the primary type of external customers because they engage with the company through transactions that directly benefit them. They are the end-users showcasing consumer behavior and preferences, which can drive a company’s market strategies and service offerings.

The other options refer to members or partners within the organization or those involved in fulfilling operational needs, which are not classified as external customers. Coworkers in the same organization and staff members involved in internal operations are considered internal customers, as they work within the company's framework. Vendor suppliers, while they provide essential materials, are also not customers in the traditional sense; they serve a role in the supply chain but do not purchase finished products or services from the business for their own consumption. Thus, focusing on the transactional relationship, clients who purchase products or services are indeed recognized as the external customers.