      .. .on the relationship of corporate growth to overall supply anddemand. When there is competition for goods and services, supply and demandpressures apply. However, in the case of products and services that aremonopolized by one company (or by a select few companies), supply anddemand as forecasting tools are less useful. (This is not to say that theyare not useful at all, but to a lesser degree.) Also, when a companyprovides a product or service that is absolutely essential, regardless ofthe price, supply and demand as forecasting tools become far less useful.When the price for a good or service has no correlation to supply anddemand, it is known as "inelastic" to demand. A perfect example of this isinsulin. Because diabetics must have insulin to live, they are willing topay any amount for it. Fortunately for diabetics, there are many suppliersof the drug. Consequently, competition keeps prices in check.