Who qualifies as external stakeholders in a business?

External stakeholders are individuals or groups that have an interest in the operations and performance of a business but do not directly work within the organization. Customers are a prime example of external stakeholders because they influence a business's success through their purchasing decisions, desires, and feedback. Their satisfaction can lead to repeat business and referrals, which are critical for a company's growth.

Bank managers also qualify as external stakeholders because they are involved in the financial aspect of the business, such as evaluating loan applications and managing bank relationships. Their decisions can directly affect the availability of capital for the business, impacting its ability to operate and expand.

In contrast, employees and managers are considered internal stakeholders as they work for the business and are directly involved in its daily operations. Shareholders and owners also belong to the internal category since they have a vested interest in the company's performance and its bottom line but are not engaged in the operational workings of the business in the same way as external stakeholders. Likewise, while the government and suppliers do have a stake in the business's operations, suppliers are generally not classed as external stakeholders in the same immediate sense as customers and bank managers.