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Short Answer Questions

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Short Answer Questions

Question 19

According to statistics, there were roughly 1.58 million registered nonprofit organizations in the United States in the year 2017. These organizations employed a significant part of the country’s population, numbering to about 12.3 million people (McKeever). This accounts for approximately ten percent of the workforce in the US.

Question 20

1. SHRM refers to strategic human resource management. It describes the process of aligning the goals of a particular organization with its human resources to realize employee efficiency, improve motivation and satisfaction, which translates into enhanced productivity and performance.

2. SHRM in nonprofits is essential because employees must believe in the organization mission as well as its purpose for them to be fully committed and productive in their work.

3. –Engage managers. Managers understand the workings of their various units, and hence, they are essential in developing a plan.

-Build a project planning team. Team members should include human resource professionals as well as agency leaders who must be accountable to each other.

-Access challenges and devise solutions. The team should be able to work together to come up with solutions to different problems. (Pynes 59)

Essay Questions

Question 1

Motivation can be defined as the desire that a person has to do something. This desire will help them persist and at the specific task until they achieve a predetermined goal. There are several theories of motivation. The first is the hierarchy of needs theory as proposed by Maslow. The approach consists of five levels of needs; physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs in ascending order. According to Maslow, a person must satisfy a lower level before moving to a higher one (Pynes 305). The second theory of motivation is the ERG theory related to the first theory. However, ERG theory narrows down human needs into three general categories; existence, relatedness, and growth needs. Similar to the hierarchy of needs, people satisfy one need before the other while at the same time reducing frustration as they progress. The third theory of motivation is the theory of needs according to McClelland, who asserted that people have three primary needs; achievement, power, and affiliation. These needs are the driving influences that motivate people.

Some of the reasons that motivate people to volunteer in nonprofit organizations are the desire to help others. For example, a person with a passion for helping the poor can volunteer their time to cook and clean in homes (Stukas et al. 125). Another reason for volunteering is a desire to give back to the community.

Question 2

One of the challenges facing SHRM professionals is the change in the demographic characteristics in the workplace. People are likely to meet more women, different races and ethnicities, LGBTQs among many other diverse groups. One of the ways to deal with these changes is to increase awareness by educating people on how to interact with people of different backgrounds with respect so that they can work well together. The second issue facing SHRM professionals are changing laws; for example, an employer cannot force an employee to retire as long as they can still do their job (Pynes 412). To deal with such laws, SHRM professionals such acquaint themselves with the current laws and how to apply them within their organization. The third challenge facing SHRM professionals is the different skills required in the workplace. Employees need more than one skill to be more useful, hence the need to hire people with knowledge in different areas. To address this challenge, there should be a comprehensive hiring process to ensure that a candidate is qualified enough and can be entrusted with various tasks.

Question 3

In order to become a nonprofit rock star, the first step that a person should take is finding something that they are passionate about. Some of the fields in the nonprofit sector include health, art, and education. The second step is to find people with similar passion who can work with you towards achieving the goals of the nonprofit organization. Third, to become a nonprofit rockstar one should keep up with recent trends and news to make sure that their work is in line with the law and that their work helps to solve problems that people face in the current times.

Some of the things that I have learned about becoming an SHRM rockstar for a nonprofit organization is to apply the fundamental principles of SHRM that includes valuing employees as an asset towards achieving organizational goals. The second step is to understand how to motivate employees in an organization using the motivation theories so that they can do their best and help the organization excel. The third thing is to understand the challenges and issues relevant to SHRM professionals in the current age, such as the laws governing the workplace.

Extra Credit Opportunity

United Nations- virtual volunteers can enter data for UN projects

Catchafire- website design by virtual volunteers

Volunteers of America- online data collection and analysis

Action Without Borders- translation of documents from one language to another

Habitat for Humanity- collect data about home ownership online

Works Cited

McKeever, Brice. “The Nonprofit Sector in Brief 2018” National Center for Charitable Statistics. 13 December 2018. Retrieved from https://nccs.urban.org/publication/nonprofit-sector-brief-2018#the-nonprofit-sector-in-brief-2018-public-charites-giving-and-volunteeringPynes, Joan E. Human resources management for public and nonprofit organizations: A strategic approach. Vol. 30. John Wiley & Sons, 2008.

Stukas, Arthur A., et al. “Motivations to volunteer and their associations with volunteers’ well-being.” Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly 45.1 (2016): 112-132.

Slavery in Libya

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Slavery in Libya

The mention of Libya is reminiscent of Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi was a well-known leader in Africa and beyond, until his ousting in 2011. Under Gaddafi, Libya was a thriving and peaceful economy. The county has the largest oil reserves in Africa, and this is what bankrolled its enviable economy for many years, Libya was once home to many African immigrants as Gaddafi had an open door policy with African countries. Matters took a turn for the worse in the proverbial Promised Land when Gaddafi was overthrown by the United States in 2012, plunging it into chaos (Hove 273). Today, the slave trade thrives in Libya fuelled by lawlessness, poverty, illiteracy, and desperation of people from all over Africa seeking to travel to Europe in search of a better life.

The first reason as to why the slave trade is flourishing in Libya is political reasons. The political situation in Libya can be blamed on the interference of the United States in the affairs of the country. Gaddafi was labeled a terrorist sympathizer who had to be eliminated at all costs, leaving no regards for the land he had led for a long time. For many years, Libya enjoyed peace and prosperity under Gaddafi (Hove 277). When his reign came to a sudden end, there was no comprehensive plan on who would take over from him. The country was plunged into lawlessness, and everyone could do as they pleased. There is no one to defend the human rights of the poor and the powerless people in Libya. The slave traders have taken advantage of the state of anarchy in the country to prey upon the defenseless people. There is no government in place that would be entrusted with protecting human rights and the rights of its citizens. Slaves have no one to turn to; they are left to suffer and die in the hands of slave traders.

People are fleeing from conflict in war-torn regions of Africa. Many African counties face unique challenges such as war, famine, and political instability. In the example of Sudan, civil war has been going on for many years with no end in sight (Randall & Donald). Other countries have also faced famine and drought which has resulted in a severe lack of food. People flee their homes to search for food and other necessities. In other counties, ousting of political leaders has thrown the country into war and disorder, and the only hope is to run away. In such a state, people would like to flee to any other part of the world to save their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Libya is usually an attractive destination because it is the gateway to Europe where these people believe they will find a better life (Toaldo). Such people would rather leave the hell they have faced at home with hope o a better land. These people running from various challenges and calamities end up as vulnerable targets for the slave trade.

Economic reasons are mainly to blame for the slave trade in Libya. The country was rich in oil, but production of crude oil reduced significantly. Many of the basic needs such as education and healthcare used to be provided for free under Gaddafi’s regime (Hove 281). After he was dethroned, the country had no economic order and poverty became the order of the day. Everyone has to struggle to find a way to support themselves and their families. Slave trade earns money for the traders. The slave traders capture slaves desperate to get to Europe and then sell them in exchange for cash (Clark & Poucki). Many of these slaves are sold and resold by many people and the traders at every stage get a lot of money. Slavery causes a lot of pain and suffering to many people including the slaves themselves and their families (Kela). It is doubtless that the slave traders take advantage of the vulnerability of the slaves to make money for themselves. Perhaps the traders cannot find any other gainful employment or business given the economic state of the country and the, therefore, resort to slave trade.

People are desperate to go to Europe in search of a better future. Unemployment and poverty are rife in many African countries which motivates Africans to seek escape into Europe. Libya is the gateway to Europe for many people in Africa (Toaldo). People leave their countries after being promised safe passage to Europe. Desperate people come from far away after paying vast sums of money so that they can be transported to Europe. What these people do not know is that they are being taken for a ride. Most of the time, their transporters end up extorting more money from them even before they reach Libya. They are threatened that they will be killed or sold into slavery if they do not pay up. Having exhausted their savings, the travelers are forced to contact their families at home to gather more funds. All this money will be taken by slave traders who will end up letting the slaves die from torture and starvation (Kela).

Most of the people held in slavery in Libya left their homes out of ignorance on precisely what was going to happen to them (Clark & Poucki). They believed that they only had to pay someone some money to take them to Libya and from there it would be a boat ride to Spain or Italy. They simply had no information about the intricacies involved in their plans. Many people were seduced by the thought of starting a new life far away from poverty and war that they experienced at home (Randall &Donald). Many sold all of their poverty armed with nothing but hope that they would succeed in their mission. The truth is that they will have to part with all of their money and sometimes their lives as they pursue their quest. Most people immigrate into Europe illegally, and many die on the way there. The European countries have also been accused of inhuman practices of turning away immigrants who will face certain death (Kela). If a person were aware of all this, they might have chosen to remain at home and find a way to make the best of their situation.

In conclusion, it is clear that many of the causes of slavery in Egypt are indigenous to the continent. Africa faces many unique circumstances that drive its people to desperation. Chief among these challenges is poverty and unemployment. People arriving in Libya wish to seek greener pastures in Europe, and their distress lands them into slavery. Civil and political wars are also a common occurrence in African countries that leaves people homeless and desperate and therefore easy targets for slavery. Sudan and Congo are examples of war-torn counties with many years of conflict. To alleviate the problem of slavery, the root causes have to be dealt with. African governments have to find ways to strengthen their economies to create jobs and reduce levels of poverty. A solution should be sought to civil strife going on in many countries, Libya included. Many people are astounded at the thought that slavery still exists in this day and time. Swift and decisive action should be taken to protect the rights and freedoms of innocent people caught up in bondage.

Works Cited

Clark, Jennifer Bryson, and Sasha Poucki, eds. The SAGE Handbook of Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery. SAGE Publications Limited, 2018.

Hove, Mediel. “Post-Gaddafi Libya and the African Union: Challenges and the road to sustainable peace.” Journal of Asian and African Studies 52.3 (2017): 271-286.

Kela, Kiia. Human rights violations in Libya: a critical assessment on the EU’s complicity and migration policies. MS thesis. 2018.

Randall, James Garfield, and David Donald. The civil war and reconstruction. Pickle Partners Publishing, 2016.

Toaldo, Mattia. Migrations through and from Libya: a Mediterranean challenge. Rome: Instituto Affari Internazionali, 2015.

Small Business and the Internet

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Small Business and the Internet

The internet has no doubt revolutionized ways of doing business all over the world. Small businesses have significantly benefitted from this as well. If I were running a small business with products that can be sold globally, I would take advantage of the internet in many ways. First, I would utilize social media platforms. Today, millions of people from all over the world are found on several platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Snapchat, and Reddit, among many others. These platforms provide a cheap and at times free mode of advertising to customers from all parts of the world. I would create pages and profiles on these platforms detailing my products, price, and methods of payment and shipping. Customers and other interested people would be able to look through these pages and express their interest. Communication is made more accessible by chatting on these platforms can be very easy because it is available to all people regardless of where they are.

The second way that I would use the internet in the sale of my product on a global scale is to use sponsored adverts on several websites. Sponsored ads enable products sold by a company to be recommended to people searching for such products, and the products can also be advertised to many people on the websites. The advantage of using sponsored ads is that it creates awareness of my products and will bring in more customers. The ads are not expensive, and the little cost will be offset by the increased profit margins from many customers. The two examples of using social media and sponsored ads show how important the internet can be in opening up trade and business on a global scale. Small businesses such take advantage of the internet to attract customers and make more profits.

Small Business Growth

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Small Business Growth

Small businesses make up a significant part of the economy of any country. Technology is the most significant contributor to the growth of small business firms. These firms are best poised to benefit from the development of new technologies and in the process; they drive older firms with obsolete and inflexible technologies out of the market. The term used to describe this state of affairs is creative destruction (Gaspar et al. 107). With the level of unemployment rising globally, small business growth must be promoted at all costs. Some of the ways to ensure the growth of small businesses is internet access, globalization, government policies, as well as innovation and invention.

Large firms have the advantage of economies of scale in the production of services, and this helps them dominate various sectors of the economy. However, the size of small businesses comes in handy when it comes to taking advantage of new technologies and venturing into new areas of business. The internet plays a significant role in the growth of a small business. Across the globe, billions of people have access to the internet, and this presents small companies with a cheap and useful marketing tool (Burns). Globalization means that people from different parts of the world can come together to share ideas, thus promoting business by allowing them to explore new opportunities. Business people can expand their business to a global level using export and import logistics.

The government has a crucial role to play in promoting small businesses. Some of the ways in which it can do this are to simplify tax rules, improve access to financial services such as credit and reduce burdensome regulations associated with the businesses. Small businesses are a significant part of the economy. In the U.S alone, they account for roughly half of the jobs in the country, and they also create new jobs every year.

Works Cited

Burns, Paul. Entrepreneurship and small business. Palgrave Macmillan Limited, 2016.

Gaspar, et al. Introduction to Business. Academic Media Solutions, 2016.

Social Issues

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Social Issues

There are many social issues prevalent in our society today, and it is up to the citizens of the country to raise their concerns with their leaders so that something can be done about them. Some of the social issues common across the country include abortion rights, racism, gun violence, drug abuse, high levels of unemployment, gay marriages, among many others. The citizens of the United States choose leaders whom they think will most accurately represent their views, and I hope to highlight some of my opinions in this letter. The issue of equality is one that is close to my heart because I believe that all people have the right to fair and equal treatment especially under the law. It is for this reason that I firmly believe in the rights of gay people to get married and enjoy the rights and privileges that come with marriage, as do any other heterosexual couples in this country. In addition to this, I would also like to advocate for gun control laws as gun violence has wrecked many lives, especially those of innocent people over the past few years. It is our collective responsibility to ensure a fair, just and equal society where all people can thrive, and addressing the issues of gun violence, and gay marriages would go a long way to ensure this.

Gun violence is a cause that is close to my heart. The United States has some very lax gun laws, and efforts to tighten regulations around gun laws have borne no fruit so far. Unfortunately, the country’s leadership is unwilling to enforce any change, as compared to countries such as New Zealand that stepped up to immediately institute gun law reforms in the wake of tragedy. On the 15th of March 2019, a gunman attacked a Christchurch mosque in a horrific shooting that left 51 people dead and scores injured. Less than 24 hours later, New Zealand’s prime minister announced a change in the gun laws of the country. The government would henceforth ban several types of assault weapons and ammunition. In addition to this, the government set up a buyback program designed to recover weapons from the public. Such a swift and decisive response seemed almost unbelievable to the United States, a country that has witnessed more mass shootings than any other.

Before the Christchurch shootings, New Zealand and the US shared several characteristics when it came to gun laws and gun control. The government in both countries was strongly influenced by gun lobby groups that seek to protect the citizens’ right to own and carry firearms. The right to own a gun is indeed constitutionally guaranteed, and many who advocate against gun control claim that carrying a firearm helps to keep them safe. This argument is a sound one. The right to carry a firearm should be respected, but the time has come to install common-sense gun laws to govern the senseless violence that comes from the unrestricted access to guns in this country. Some of the laws that should be put in place include background checks as well as mental checks on individuals seeking to buy a gun. The state of Texas has been affected by mass shootings, with the latest being at a Wal-Mart store in El Paso where 22 people were killed and 24 others injured. Less than a month later, a drive-by shooting led to the death of seven and left more than 20 people injured (Fernandez et al.). The increasing frequency of these shootings, most of them in public spaces and schools, show that it is time for the government to step up and ensure that those who own guns can be trusted to act responsibly and rationally.

The second social issue that I would like to discuss is gay marriages and gay rights. The LGBTQ community sadly continues to suffer from discriminatory policies and laws that negatively affect their lives. The US Supreme Court legalized gay marriages in 2015, marking a big win for the gay community in the country (Hagai & Cosby 481). However, gay couples still face hurdles in other areas of their lives. One example of this is in adoption. Gay couples still face discrimination, especially in cases where social workers deem gay couples unfit parents and deny them a chance to adopt children. The second issue is the legal rights of non-biological parents. When a couple has a child, the non-biological parent has to go through a rigorous adoption process to ensure that they are recognized as legal parents. There need to be laws that ensure both parents are legally recognized. In case something happens to the biological parent or the couple breaks up, many challenges can arise with regard to the legal rights of the non-biological parent.

To address issues around same-sex couples, the government should work towards treating same-sex couples as heterosexual couples. States such as Nevada, Massachusetts, and Vermont have done this by ensuring that both parents are listed in the child’s birth certificate (Hagai & Cosby 485). However, other states in the country, including Texas, still have impediments when it comes to the legal rights of same-sex parents. Same-sex couples should also be able to adopt children freely as they demonstrate that they are fit parents. There should be no double or discriminatory practices applied. Another issue when it comes to gay couples is access to benefits such as healthcare. Some policies do not recognize same-sex partners as beneficiaries of their partner’s benefits, and this can cause suffering to gay couples.

To conclude, there are many social issues that need to be addressed in society. Every person should feel free and safe in their environment and dealing with issues around gun laws, and gay rights will help to ensure that this is a reality. With the lack of comprehensive regulations governing the use and ownership of guns in Texas and the US as a whole, people feel unsafe in public spaces. Even worse is the fact that children in school face a serious threat of mass shootings. Gay couples should enjoy the same rights as any other married couple.

Works Cited

Fernandez, Manny et al. “Texas Shooting Leaves 7 Dead and At Least 21 Injured Near Odessa” The New York Times. 31 August 2019. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/31/us/odessa-shootings.htmlHagai, Ella Ben, and Faye J. Crosby. “Between relative deprivation and entitlement: An historical analysis of the battle for same-sex marriage in the United States.” Handbook of social justice theory and research. Springer, New York, NY, 2016. 477-489.

Sony Corp

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Sony Corp

Years back, Sony Corp was among the most profitable companies, but its stock price plummeted to $18 in 2012, just a fraction of its competitor’s prices. There are several factors attributed to this drastic change in Sony’s fortune. The prominent ones include its slow pace in adapting new technologies concerning the internet and new software in the market, acquisition of unrelated businesses, too many related products and reluctance of engineers and departments to work together. To deal with its financial problems and regain profit margins, Sony has to address these significant areas.

First, the company should hire new employees with experience in the area of internet-based products such as online games. Sony’s employees probably worked there for years and may have gotten comfortable with the old model of doing things. In today’s world, everything revolves around the internet, and Sony should get people familiar with the competitive nature of the business. Second, Sony should narrow down its range of products to avoid confusing customers. Having one company with competing products makes little sense, and the customers will be confused about which product to choose. The company should focus on selected products and ensure customer satisfaction.

In addition to this, Sony should sell off some of its unrelated business acquisitions. Such business such as chemicals takes away from the core business by diverting attention and resources that Sony should focus on its core products for which it is known in the market. The issue of reluctance among workers to cooperate is another major factor to the company’s dwindling fortunes. To deal with this, the company should come up with ways to encourage cooperation such as team building. Top management should also find out why there is reluctance, and if necessary, employees unwilling to work with others should be let go to ensure a spirit of cooperation within Sony.

Spiral Essay Assignment

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Spiral Essay Assignment

Art uses a lot of symbols to represent different messages. The symbols are used so that the message to be conveyed is not too noticeable but requires the person looking at it to think of a deeper meaning behind it. The symbols are also quite aesthetic and capture the attention of people looking at them. Art symbols stimulate the creative senses and inspire a person to think of what the symbol or picture might represent. Art is an integral part of life that allows people to showcase their creative side and present their message in a way that is profound yet simple at the same time. For this assignment, symbol D represents the continuity and different seasons of life.

Spirals have circles that originate from a central point and flow outwards much like the ripples in a body of water. The three spirals in image D flow into each other showing that they are continuous and endless. It is challenging to start where one ends, and the other begins. The symbol is a sign of life. Human life begins at birth which is the central point in the spirals. As the spiral grows outwards, it is a sign of how a human being also grows through their various stages in life. Growth is measured by an increase in age as well as the experiences that a person undergoes in their life. A human being grows not only in the physical sense but also in the emotional and spiritual sense.

The trispiral signifies the different seasons that define human life. A person goes through many different seasons such as grief, happiness, loss, sickness, wealth, poverty and these all flow into each other without any end. The trispiral shows that all the seasons of human life are interconnected and they come together as a whole to define who the human person is. It is also a sign of immortality. The symbol has no discernible beginning or end, and it can be interpreted to represent the invincibility of the human spirit. Despite the many changes that we go through in life, the spiral indicates that we are growing to greater heights. There is no end to the resilience that a person has in the face of adversity.

The trispiral has a lot of significance to the experiences in my life as well as the lives of other people. First, the tri-spiral indicates the passage of time. Since I was born, many years have passed and the bigger the circle, the more time has passed for a person. The spiral also emphasizes the evolution and growth that I have undergone in my life. At the time of birth, I was a tiny person, but with time I grew into a toddler, a young child, a teenager and eventually a grown person. Sometimes I wonder about the future but life happens in stages, and I have accepted that I will gain more experience as each scene unfolds.

Aside from physical growth, the spirals indicate emotional and spiritual growth. In my life, I have gone through many challenges that I believe have made me more mature emotionally and spiritually. I have lost some people that were very close to me, and the process of grief was excruciating. In hindsight, I realize that the process made me stronger and I can now deal with even the most painful situations and accept that I will come out on the other side. This can encourage any other person who is going through a season of pain and suffering in their life. In the same way that the spiral gives way to a bigger one, the experiences we go through will eventually pave the way for better days. Being a spiritual person, I have faced several challenges that have made me a better and stronger person.

Human life has different seasons that flow into each other without a definite beginning or end. The trispirals are all interconnected to show that life is a set of experiences that flow into each other. This form of art symbols has helped me to reflect on my own life and interpret the things I have been through positively. I realize now that everything we go through, whether good or bad, will pass so that we can move onto other things. The spiral art has given me an interesting perspective on mundane happenings in my life. Art is a simple way to make sense of life, and this has definitely been one such exercise for me.

SWOT Analysis Toyota Prius

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SWOT Analysis: Toyota Prius

Many companies use the SWOT matrix to allow them to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that they face. This strategic planning tool is essential for a business looking to become successful because it increases awareness of the things they should and should not do. If a company or business fails to analyze any plans using the SWOT analysis, there is potential for failure. Companies can identity their competitors and their points of advantage and use these for their benefit. Strengths and weaknesses usually refer to internal factors, while opportunities and strengths apply to factors outside the business. Toyota is one of the leading car manufacturers in the world, with several models under its name. One of these models is the Toyota Prius that has been in production since 1997. A SWOT analysis is essential in weighing the successes of the Prius as well as identifying shortcomings and areas of improvement.

With carbon emissions from motor vehicles reaching worrying levels, the Toyota Prius is one of several environmentally friendly cars. It was first produced in the year 1997 and has since gained popularity around the world, mainly because of its low levels of emissions. The first Prius model was a four-door sedan, but from 2003 Toyota switched production to a four-door liftback. The Prius was the first hybrid electric vehicle to be sold in worldwide markets, with the United States and Japan being the main markets (Halbright & Dunn 12). The main point of attraction for the Toyota Prius is its hybrid characteristic that comes in handy as the world seeks to reduce carbon emissions from automobiles. The Prius remains the top-selling hybrid vehicle in the world, with more than 6 million units sold around the world as of January 2017.

Strengths and weaknesses in the SWOT matrix relate to internal factors within a company or business. The Toyota Prius has several strengths. The first of these is the environmentally-conscious features of the vehicle, which reduce carbon emission compared to other vehicles in the market (Doll 31). The other strength of the Toyota Prius is the elegant interiors of the model, as well as the revolutionary exterior. People like to have a nice-looking vehicle, and the Prius meets the aesthetical expectations of customers. The Toyota Prius is also extremely fuel-efficient, a feature that helps it consume lower amounts of fuel with distance compared to other automobiles in the market. Fuel efficiency contributes to lower levels of emission. Another strength for the Prius is its popularity, having sold over six million units worldwide. The Toyota Prius also boasts of three driving modes that the driver can choose from based on their needs. These modes are for fuel efficiency, smooth performance, and low emissions (Prokhorov 461). Finally, Toyota has invested in branding and advertising for the Prius, increasing its awareness and popularity in the market. There are two main points of weakness for the Toyota Prius. The first one is its higher price relative to other car models that use petrol. Being a hybrid model, the Prius is also costlier to maintain compared to other models, and this proves to be a disadvantage.

On the external front, the Toyota Prius has several opportunities as well as threats. The first opportunity is the first-mover advantage. The Prius was the first hybrid vehicle to be introduced; thus, the model stands to benefit from its market share, resources, and popularity. The second opportunity for the Toyota Prius is the augmentation of distribution and servicing (Halbright & Dunn 35). Toyota should increase the number of distributors across the world to make sure that the Prius is available and that customers are aware of it. Toyota should also take advantage of collaborations with other automobile businesses in the distribution of the model as well as associated services. Such collaborations will increase the presence of the Prius brand in the market. The high maintenance costs of the Prius proves to be a threat to the model because customers prefer lower maintenance costs. Another possible threat for the Toyota Prius is that several other companies have begun to produce hybrid models with better features and also lower prices. Such a situation threatens the market presence of the Prius as customers look for the cheapest hybrid model with similar or even better features.

To make the Prius even more successful with the increasing competition, Toyota should work on converting weaknesses to strengths and threats into opportunities. One of the points of weakness is the higher prices compared to vehicles that use petrol. This can be converted into a strength by aggressive advertising. People are becoming more aware of global warming and how individuals can contribute to its reduction. The Prius should be advertised as a personal contribution to the fight against carbon emissions, and customers will be willing to pay more for a hybrid vehicle if it means saving the planet (Doll 52). One significant threat to the Toyota Prius is the entry of new hybrid vehicles into the market with more innovative features and lower price points. To convert this into an opportunity, Toyota should invest in newer technologies that are more efficient and add new features into their model. The company should also take advantage of economies of scale in production and try to make the Toyota Prius as cheap as possible. These conversions will help Toyota gain a competitive advantage in the market over its competitors.

Works Cited

Doll, Claus. “Innovation in vehicle technology–The case of hybrid electric vehicles.” DIME International Conference’Innovation, sustainability and policy. 2008.

Halbright, Rudi, and Max Dunn. “Case Study: The Toyota Prius.” Managerial Marketing (2010).

Prokhorov, Danil V. “Toyota Prius HEV neurocontrol and diagnostics.” Neural Networks 21.2-3 (2008): 458-465.

Sympathy, Empathy, and Compassion

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Sympathy, Empathy, and Compassion

All human beings go through periods of challenges such as grief and stress and require the support of those around them to navigate such tough times. When we are around people that we know are struggling, we tend to be empathetic, sympathetic, and or compassionate. Although these three times are used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Empathy, sympathy, and compassion are natural emotions elicited by the suffering and grief of those around us. The level of emotions that people show depends on various factors such as previous experiences, relationships, and emotional intelligence. To understand these differences, it is crucial to understand the meaning of each of these words and how they are applied. This paper focuses on the definition of the terms from various perspectives and how to apply them in different situations.

Tchiki Davis gives a comprehensive definition of empathy, sympathy, and compassion in an article published in Psychology Today. She defines empathy as the feeling that one can deeply understand another’s pain due to shared experience. On the other hand, sympathy refers to feelings of pity or sadness for others going through a tough time (Davis 1). Sympathy does not involve any shared experience. Compassion has a much broader definition as it is more of an attitude that a person possesses or cultivates. Compassion involves caring for others who may be far from us; for example, donating to a charitable cause in a different country shows compassion. Nurses and other healthcare workers practice compassion in caring for the sick, both physically and emotionally.

Sickness is a natural and painful part of life, and the concepts of empathy, sympathy, and compassion are especially useful from this perspective. Sinclair et al. conducted a study to examine the attitudes of cancer patients in palliative care regarding empathy, sympathy, and compassion. Cancer is a serious illness that takes a significant toll on a patient’s life. They go through difficult treatments that wear down their bodies and their spirit and need a lot of care through all this. The patients involved in the study gave their understanding of these concepts and which they felt were most useful to them. The patients described sympathy as a response of pity to a difficult situation, intended for the benefit of the observer rather than the patient. The participants reported that sympathy was largely unwanted. Empathy was reported as a more positive response characterized by the desire to understand the patient’s suffering through an emotional connection (Sinclair et al. 438). Compassion was quite similar to empathy, with additional qualities such as altruism, love, and acts of kindness.

Although people tend to think of empathy, sympathy, and compassion in terms of pain and suffering, these concepts apply in an array of situations. Forbes magazine published an article that focuses on the application of these ideas in business. The article explains that sympathy is about acknowledging the feelings of others, although it involves a level of detachment from the situation (Kramer 1). Empathy, on the other hand, involves taking on the feelings of others, resulting in an intense emotional reaction. Empathy is about walking in another person’s shoes and seeing things from their perspective. Both of these qualities can be cultivated deliberately, for example, by choosing to see things from different perspectives that may be different from one’s own. The article explains that these emotions are helpful for businesses to understand the needs and wants of their customers.

My understanding of empathy, sympathy, and compassion reflects the authors of the articles described above. I find empathy to be the most effective and supportive emotion for those going through adverse situations. For example, when a person gets diagnosed with cancer, one may offer support through either of the three concepts. A person who has previously been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition would be empathetic as they have gone through the same situation. They can understand the emotions of the patient. Any other person can offer sympathy as it is natural to feel pity for the patient, knowing the rough road ahead after their diagnosis. Compassion, in this case, takes many forms. The cancer patient will need the care of doctors, nurses, other professionals, and volunteers, all of whom show compassion. They may not be directly involved with the patient, but they show their care in different ways.

Understanding sympathy, empathy, and compassion is essential in everyday life. Armed with a deep understanding of these concepts, we can choose the best way to offer support to those going through tough times. Some people will feel better when they know someone has gone through the same situation, while others appreciate expressions of sympathy from those who may not profoundly understand their situation. These concepts allow people to support each other during trying times and offer support and comfort to those suffering in different ways.

In summary, it is natural to feel the desire to comfort people going through a hard time, but one must find the best way to do this. Showing empathy, sympathy, and compassion are some of the best ways to show support, depending on the situation. With a clear understanding of the three, we can judge which best applies to a specific situation. All of these offer great support and comfort to those who need it when properly executed.

Works Cited

Davis, Tchiki. “Sympathy vs. Empathy.” Psychology Today. 14 July 2020. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202007/sympathy-vs-empathyKramer, Bryan. “The Critical Difference Between Sympathy And Empathy.” Forbes. 13 August 2018. www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/08/13/the-critical-difference-between-sympathy-and-empathy/?sh=33464c2c16a3Sinclair, Shane, et al. “Sympathy, empathy, and compassion: A grounded theory study of palliative care patients’ understandings, experiences, and preferences.” Palliative medicine 31.5 (2017): 437-447.

The Clinton Presidency

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The Clinton Presidency

Bill Clinton is remembered for the many accomplishments achieved during his two terms as president between the year 1993 and 2001. However, the terms were also marked by controversies that left their marks on President Clinton’s legacy. He made history as the 42nd president of the United States, with extensive reforms in the economy, healthcare, and education under his belt. Some of the setbacks include incarceration policies in the federal crime bill of 1994, devastating welfare reforms and destroying the manufacturing sector by signing trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement.

On the economic front, Clinton set records with his policies called Clintonomics. During his eight years as president, the United States experienced an economic growth averaging 4 percent a year. At the time he took office in 1993, the country had deficits of 290 billion dollars. President Clinton’s administration achieved the unimaginable under projections of ballooning deficits; in 2003, the country had a surplus of 236 billion dollars (Tomasky). During Clinton’s tenure, the country’s unemployment rates also fell from 7 to 4 percent by the end of his presidency. Poverty rates also dropped by the most significant margins in thirty years. On the educational front, the Clinton administration doubled federal investment in education, improved access to technology, and made higher education more affordable.

Despite all the positives that President Clinton managed to achieve, his leadership was not without setbacks. One of the areas in which the former president failed is in fighting crime. He is famously known for the three strikes law in addition to prison sentences even for non-violent offenders (Tomasky). These policies led to mass incarceration, a fact that he later expressed regret for. Another area of failure for President Clinton is welfare reforms that allowed states to decide how funds would be allocated and eligibility of recipients. It is essential to realize that despite these failures, President Clinton still managed to make history in other areas.

Works Cited

Tomasky, Michael. Bill Clinton: The American Presidents Series: The 42nd President, 1993-2001. Macmillan, 2017.