Substance Abuse Crisis Intervention - 1352 Words

Substance abuse: Crisis intervention To the outsider, the lives of substance abusers often look like a series of crises waiting to happen. Often, the extent to which substance abuse is causing devastation in the life of the sufferer is more manifest to outsiders such as friends or relatives than the abuser him or herself. Crises relating to substance abuse may be biologically-related (such as a medical crisis brought about by abuse); legally related (a conviction for abusing an illegal drug, drug-dealing, or DWI); or psychologically-related (the abuser seeks treatment for another psychological condition, such as depression, which is caused by the abuse or for which the abuser is using the substance as a form of self-medication) (Kanel 2011: 221). Regardless, a crisis can actually be a fruitful opportunity to precipitate change in an abusers life. Because drug abusers are often very ambivalent about giving up abusing drugs, it may take a crisis for the user to hit rock bottom. Biologically-related crises due to substance abuse may encompass dramatic events such as seizures, heart attacks and strokes due to overdoses (Kanel 2011: 221). Each drug has its own particular dangers related to use. Drugs can also cause people to act in ways that are dangerous, doing things which they might not under other circumstances, such as driving recklessly. Users may also combine drugs. The more someone uses, the more likely he or she will have to increase the level of the dose, toShow MoreRelatedComparison of Two Crisis Intervention Models1452 Words   |  6 PagesModels of Crisis Intervention Introduction In psychology, crisis intervention models are designed to help mental health professionals in dealing with a variety of situations. This is because the conditions surrounding patients, their friends or family have become severe enough that some kind of intercession is necessary. In the case of drug abuse, these tools are utilized to address the underlying problems and introduce possible solutions. To fully understand the best approach requires comparingRead MoreCore Functions Of A Counselor1685 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction This paper will discuss the following 4 Core Functions of a Counselor: Case Management, Client Education, Crisis Intervention, Referral and their primary purposes. Discussion Case Management According to IC RC, Case Management is defined as, â€Å"activities intended to bring services, agencies, resources, or people together within a planned framework of action toward the achievement of established goals. It may involve liaison activities and collateral contacts† (Herdman, John W., 6thRead MoreThe Ethics Of The Counseling Profession1371 Words   |  6 Pagesto become self-sufficient by implementing interventions and strategies that involves goal-setting skills that is meaningful to an individual. Individuals who may seek counseling are individuals who encountered marriage and family issues, stressful or traumatic events and drug and substance abuse. In this research assignment, I will discuss events the effects of traumatic events, addictions, family therapy theories, and optimal health and wellness. Crisis and Traumatic Events in life At some pointRead MoreSocial Services For At Risk Clients1732 Words   |  7 PagesSocial Services for At-Risk Clients: The Case of Alice Doe and her Bipolar Disorder / Substance Abuse Dual Diagnosis The purpose of this report is to create a social services delivery plan for an at-risk client named Alice Doe. Alice has a history of drug abuse yet has been clean and sober for several years. Alice also suffers from bipolar disorder. In recent times, she has experienced setbacks due to the stress created when her daughter and grandchild moved in with her. To make matters evenRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol On Children s Relationship With Alcohol Abuse964 Words   |  4 PagesWoman: Part Three In the textbook, Families and Change: Coping With Stressful Events and Transitions, chapter seven goes in depth to reflect on families coping with alcohol abuse. The textbook is straightforward about children with one or both alcoholic parents in treatment and recovery from alcohol abuse. As much as the substance abusing parent needs help, so do the children in the family (Price, Price and McKenry, 2010, p. 152). Relative to the Green family, the authors discuss alcohol-specific effectsRead MoreAddiction : The Problem Of Addiction1705 Words   |  7 PagesAddiction A crisis that many communities in Georgia are experiencing is addiction. A large substance that is currently being abuse is methamphetamine. Methamphetamine can be smoked, snorted, injected, taken orally and dissolved in liquids. The most common use is smoking and injecting the drug because of the immediate reaction it has on the body. It is highly addictive and has repeated patterns of binges and crashes with the individual constantly trying to reproduce their euphoric high. A recentRead MoreSubstance Abuse Is The Excessive Use Of A Substance Without Medical Justification1463 Words   |  6 PagesCoworker, or Instructor According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary; â€Å"Substance abuse is the excessive use of a substance without medical justification†. Addiction is not a lack of will power or moral weakness, but is a progressive, chronic, and fatal brain disease that not only destroys a person mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but also disrupts families, businesses, and society at large. Substance abuse is reported to be the most severe occupational safety issue associatedRead MoreThe American Psychiatric Association s Dsm V ( 2013 )1702 Words   |  7 Pagesrural counties, public health departments are struggling to mitigate the health threats presented by substance abuse and addiction. While detailed longitudinal data is unavailable, many areas that report increased rates of drug abuse also report increased hospital admissions and accidental deaths. While the relationship between these outcomes is not explicit, it is important to implement interventions that address he alth issues related to drug related injuries. The first, ACHESS, an employee assistanceRead MoreNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis787 Words   |  4 PagesPurpose: The purpose of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up program is to promote systematic follow-up of suicidal persons who call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) network and those that are discharged from a partnering emergency department. However, for those at imminent risk for suicide, emergency intervention is frequently initiated. The grant will be awarded to eligible applicants that demonstrate the knowledge and ethical capability to manage theRead MoreMental Health And Behavioral Issues Essay765 Words   |  4 Pagesin psychiatric treatment. Psychiatric Nurse practitioners have received additional medical training beyond their Master’s degree, and Psychiatrists are specialized medical doctors (Psychology and Counseling Group, n.d.). Profile of Consumers Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2014) reports state mental health measures, including the gender, age, race/ethnicity, living situation, and employment status of individuals who utilize mental health services. According to

Miscommunication Or Poor Communication - 886 Words

Miscommunication or poor communication can happen anywhere or any time. Boaz Keysar, a professor in psychology at the University of Chicago writes, â€Å"People commonly believe that they communicate better with close friends than with strangers. That closeness can lead people to overestimate how well they communicate, a phenomenon we term the ‘closeness-communication bias’† (2011). In the article Close Relationships Sometimes Mask Poor Communication, a study was conducted where twenty-four married couples where seated back to back and had to figure out the meanings of vague phases. The study showed that these couples thought they communicated better than they actually did. It showed that husbands interpreted certain terms different than how the wife interpreted it. The research also shown that the accuracy rates to communications were statistically identical between spouses and strangers. Which was surprising because they were confident that their spouses would u nderstand them better. Co-author of this article wrote, â€Å"Our problem in communicating with friends and spouses is that we have an illusion of insight. Getting close to someone appears to create the illusion of understanding more than actual understanding† (2011). Communication can suffer in a relationship because the two parties get comfortable, preoccupied and life gets in the way. Because of this two people might be on the same wavelength but the communication suffers because they are to close and stop listeningShow MoreRelatedMasking Poor Communication Essay682 Words   |  3 PagesLanita N. Clark Masking Poor Communication COM 200 Mrs. Mary A. Witt August 22, 2011 The article â€Å"Masking Poor Communication† discussed how miscommunication is misunderstood and perceived as something. What someone is saying can easily be taken for something else. Everyone has their own perception. This can have a negative impact on the people who are close to you. In the article it stated that â€Å"people commonly believe that they communicate better with close friends than strangersRead MoreThe Problem Of Medical Errors934 Words   |  4 Pageserrors. Studies show that poor communication in medical fields has cost up to 1.7 billion dollars. Miscommunication is the core for this error, failure to clear communication can guide to serious complication, such as serious problems for patients and deaths. This Mistakes usually happen when there is a miscommunication between the nurses and the doctors or between patients and experts. The three common errors, which take place in the medical system are, miscommunication about patient condition betweenRead More Communication Essay619 Words   |  3 PagesMay 01, 2011 ENG105 English Composition I Professor Willoughby Communication Essay Communication can be defined as the interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information (Communication, n.d.). When done properly this exchange of ideas supports and enhances the flow of new concepts, visions, and emotions. However, when there is a breakdown of communication it gives rise to confusion, judgment, and hurt feelings. Miscommunication is capable of causing unnecessary obstacles in many types of relationshipsRead MoreSocial, Cultural And Historical Factors That Contributes Poor Communication1657 Words   |  7 PagesCommunication is the process of passing information from the sender to the receiver, it involves the use of words in verbal and written forms as well as signs of body language such as facial expressions. It is vital in the healthcare sector as it aids in building intrapersonal, interpersonal and group relationships. It is very important that doctors and nurses have a clear understanding of how to communicate within the healthcare sector. Poor communication eme rges when the information is relayedRead MoreJane Austen s Lessons On Dating And Marriage1528 Words   |  7 Pagesdifferences in time periods and cultures. Jane Austen’s lessons on dating and marriage can best be understood in the context of the foundational principles for all good relationships. These three principles include: human worth, respect and good communication. The English background of the novel is no different than our culture today when it comes to the importance of these foundational principles. As the reader gets to know Elizabeth and identifies with her struggles, she develops into a real heroineRead MoreCommunication Is The Single Most Effective Method Of Sharing Information1506 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Communication is the single most effective method of sharing information. Communication is the transfer of information from one individual to another or from leadership to subordinates to convey a message that requires a response or following from the other. Effective communication provides guidance to the workforce. In an organization, communication may be employed to give direction about how a task should be done, or it may be to convey the organizations mission and value to affectRead MoreMiss the Communication Essay629 Words   |  3 PagesCommunication: the words we speak, see, and create to inform others of our ideas and intentions. The written word is but one facet of this action, and one, that if improperly used, can lead to various problems of miscommunication. What we speak can be forgotten, what we see or read can be misunderstood, but what we write and show the world may never be fully erased. What and how we write is especially important in today’s world as m ore and more communication takes place on the internet. WhileRead MoreCommunicating With Teachers For Students With Adhd1482 Words   |  6 PagesTeachers for Students with ADHD Communication is extremely important every single day in one’s life. Dunne defines communication as â€Å"the process by which information, meanings and feelings are shared by persons through the exchange of verbal and non-verbal messages (p. 57).† It is particularly important to be clear and accurate in our communications in order to be effective in everything we do. For teachers it is important to have precise and effective communication skills when interacting with colleaguesRead More Case Analysis: Calling 911 Essay examples1078 Words   |  5 Pagesoccurred in setting up the security system of the house. Moreover, the one and only set of panic hardware in the house was required to be stomp harder for activation. This reflected poor human factor design of the panic hardware. Another human factors problem that I identify in the case study is the miscommunication between the 911 operator and the Fire Department dispatcher and also between the Fire Department dispatcher with the nearby fire station unit. Although the operator clarified theRead MoreMiscommunication Between Miscommunication And Communication Essay1265 Words   |  6 PagesMiscommunication can be said as a failure to fully or clearly communicate a message across to another person. In simple words, miscommunication occurs when a message is not communicated as per the sender’s desire to the receiver i.e. the message sent and received are not same. Some of the reasons for miscommunication are: - A. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: - Most of the large organizations have too many vertical communication links which distorts the message as it moves from one organizational level

Warm Bodies Chapter 14 Free Essays

I am Perry Kelvin, and this is my last day alive. What a strange feeling, waking up to that awareness. All my life I have battled the alarm clock, pummelling the snooze button over and over with mounting self-loathing until the shame is finally strong enough to lever me upright. We will write a custom essay sample on Warm Bodies Chapter 14 or any similar topic only for you Order Now It was only on the brightest of mornings, those rare days of verve and purpose and clear reasons to live that I ever sprang awake easily. How strange, then, that I do today. Julie whimpers as I extract myself from her goosebumped arms and slip out of bed. She gathers my half of the blankets around her and curls up against the wall. She will sleep for hours more, dreaming endless landscapes and novas of colour both gorgeous and frightening. If I stayed she would wake up and describe them to me. All the mad plot twists and surrealist imagery, so vivid to her while so meaningless to me. There was a time when I treasured listening to her, when I found the commotion in her soul bitter-sweet and lovely, but I can no longer bear it. I lean over to kiss her goodbye, but my lips stiffen and I cringe away from her. I can’t. I can’t. I’ll collapse. I pull back and leave without touching her. Two years ago today my father was crushed under the wall he was building, and I became an orphan. I have missed him for seven hundred and thirty days, my mother for even longer, but tomorrow I will not miss anyone. I think about this as I descend the winding stairs of my foster home, this wretched house of discards, and emerge into the city. Dad, Mom, Grandma, my friends . . . tomorrow I won’t miss anyone. It’s early and the sun is barely over the mountains, but the city is already wide awake. The streets are crawling with labourers, repair crews, moms pushing knobby-tyred strollers and foster-moms herding lines of kids like cattle. Somewhere in the distance someone is playing a clarinet; its quavery notes drift through the morning air like birdsong, and I try to shut it out. I don’t want to hear music, I don’t want the sunrise to be pink. The world is a liar. Its ugliness is overwhelming; the scraps of beauty make it worse. I make my way to the Island Street administrative building and tell the receptionist I’m here for my seven o’clock with General Grigio. She walks me back to his office and shuts the door behind me. The general doesn’t look up from the paperwork on his desk. He raises one finger at me. I stand and wait, letting my eyes roam the contents of his walls. A picture of Julie. A picture of Julie’s mother. A faded picture of himself and a younger Colonel Rosso in proper US Army uniforms, smoking cigarettes in front of a flooded New York skyline. Next to this, another shot of the two men smoking cigarettes, this time overlooking a crumbled London. Then bombed-out Paris. Then smouldering Rome. The general finally sets down his paperwork. He takes off his glasses and looks me over. ‘Mr Kelvin,’ he says. ‘Sir.’ ‘Your very first salvage as team manager.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘Do you feel ready?’ My tongue stalls for an instant as images of horses and cellists and red lips on a wine glass flicker through my mind, trying to knock me off course. I burn them like old film. ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘Good. Here is your exit pass. See Colonel Rosso at the community centre for your team assignments.’ ‘Thank you, sir.’ I take the paperwork and turn to leave. But I pause on the doorway threshold. ‘Sir?’ My voice cracks a little even though I swore I wouldn’t let it. ‘Yes, Perry?’ ‘Permission to speak freely, sir?’ ‘Go ahead.’ I moisten my dry lips. ‘Is there a reason for all this?’ ‘Pardon me?’ ‘Is there a reason for us to keep doing all these things? The salvages and . . . everything?’ ‘I’m afraid I don’t understand your question, Perry. The supplies we salvage are keeping us alive.’ ‘Are we trying to stay alive because we think the world will get better someday? Is that what we’re working towards?’ His expression is flat. ‘Perhaps.’ My voice becomes shaky and very undignified, but I can no longer control it. ‘What about right now? Is there anything right now that you love enough to keep living for?’ ‘Perry – ‘ ‘Will you tell me what it is, sir? Please?’ His eyes are marbles. A noise like the beginning of a word forms in his throat, then it stops. His mouth tightens. ‘This conversation is inappropriate.’ He lays his hands flat on his desk. ‘You should be on your way now. You have work to do.’ I swallow hard. ‘Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.’ ‘See Colonel Rosso at the community centre for your team assignments.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ I step through the door and shut it behind me. In Colonel Rosso’s office I conduct myself with utmost professionalism. I request my team assignments and he gives them to me, handing over the envelope with warmth and pride in his squinty, failing eyes. He wishes me luck and I thank him; he invites me to dinner and I politely decline. My voice does not crack. I lose no composure. Marching back through the community centre lobby I glance towards the gym and see Nora staring at me through the tall windows. She’s wearing snug black shorts and a white tank top, as are all the pre-teens on the volleyball court behind her. Nora’s ‘team’, her sad attempt to distract a few kids from reality for two hours a week. I walk past her without so much as a nod, and as I start to push the front doors open I hear her sneakers slapping the tile floor behind me. ‘Perry!’ I stop and let the doors swing shut. I turn around and face her. ‘Hey.’ She stands in front of me with her arms crossed, her eyes stony. ‘So today’s the big day, huh?’ ‘I guess so.’ ‘What area are you hitting? You got it all planned out?’ ‘The old Pfizer building on Eighth Ave.’ She nods rapidly. ‘Good, that sounds like a good plan, Perry. And you’ll be all done and home by six, right? ‘Cause remember we’re taking you to the Orchard tonight. We’re not letting you spend today moping alone like you did last year.’ I watch the kids in the gym, bumping-setting-spiking, laughing and cursing. ‘I don’t know if I’ll make it. This salvage might go a little later than usual.’ She keeps nodding. ‘Oh. Oh, okay. Because that building is crooked and full of cracks and dead ends and you have to be extra careful, right?’ ‘Right.’ ‘Yeah.’ She nods towards the envelope in my hand. ‘You checked that yet?’ ‘Not yet.’ ‘Well, you should probably check it, Perry.’ Her foot taps the floor; her body vibrates with restrained anger. ‘You need to make sure you know everyone’s profiles, strengths and weaknesses and all that. Mine, for instance, because I’m on there.’ My face goes blank. ‘What?’ ‘Sure, I’m going, Rosso put me on yesterday. Do you know my strengths and weaknesses? Is there anything on your agenda you think might be too hard for me? ‘Cause I’d hate to jeopardise your very first salvage as team manager.’ I rip the top off the envelope and start scanning the names. ‘Julie signed up, too, did she mention that?’ My eyes flash up from the page. ‘That’s right, fucker, will that be a problem for you?’ Her voice is strained to breaking. There are tears in her eyes. ‘Is that a conflict at all?’ I shove open the front doors and burst out into the cold morning air. Birds overhead. Those blank-eyed pigeons, those shrieking gulls, all the flies and beetles that eat their shit – the gift of flight dumped on Earth’s most worthless creatures. What if it were mine instead? That perfect, weightless freedom. No fences, no walls, no borders; I would fly everywhere, over oceans and continents, mountains and jungles and endless open plains, and somewhere in the world, somewhere in all that distant untouched beauty, I would find a reason. I am floating in Perry’s darkness. I am deep in the earth. Somewhere far above me are roots and worms and an inverted graveyard where the coffins are the markers and the headstones are what’s buried, piercing down into the airy blue emptiness, hiding all the names and pretty epitaphs and leaving me with the rot. I feel a stirring in the dirt that surrounds me. A hand burrows through and grabs my shoulder. ‘Hello, corpse.’ We are in the 747. My piles of souvenirs are sorted and arranged in neat stacks. The aisle is softened with layers of oriental throw rugs. Dean Martin croons on the record player. ‘Perry?’ He’s in the cockpit, in the pilot’s chair with his hands on the controls. He’s wearing a pilot’s uniform, the white shirt stained with blood. He smiles at me, then gestures at the windows, where streaks of clouds flicker past. ‘We are now approaching cruising altitude. You’re free to move about the cabin.’ With slow, cautious movements, I get up and join him in the cockpit. I look at him uneasily. He grins. I rub a finger through the familiar layers of dust on the controls. ‘This isn’t one of your memories, is it?’ ‘No. This is yours. I wanted you to be comfortable.’ ‘Is it your grave I’m standing on right now?’ He shrugs. ‘I suppose. I think it’s just my empty skull in there, though. You and your friends took most of me home for snacks, remember?’ I open my mouth to apologise again, but he shuts his eyes and waves it away. ‘Don’t, please. We’re past all that. Besides, that wasn’t really me you killed, that was older-wiser Perry. I think this is mostly junior-high Perry you’re talking to, young and optimistic and writing a novel called Ghosts vs. Werewolves. I’d rather not think about being dead right now.’ I eye him uncertainly. ‘You’re a lot more cheerful here than in your memories.’ ‘I have perspective here. It’s hard to take your life so seriously when you can see it all at once.’ I peer at him. His reality is very convincing, pimples and all. ‘Are you . . . really you?’ I ask. ‘What does that mean?’ ‘All this time I’ve been talking to you, are you just . . . leftovers from your brain? Or are you really actually you?’ He chuckles. ‘Does it really actually matter?’ ‘Are you Perry’s soul?’ ‘Maybe. Kind of. Whatever you want to call it.’ ‘Are you . . . in Heaven?’ He laughs and tugs his blood-soaked shirt. ‘Yeah, not exactly. Whatever I am, â€Å"R†, I’m in you.’ He laughs again at the look on my face. ‘Fucked up, isn’t it? But Older-Wiser went out of this life pretty darkly. Maybe this is our chance to catch up with him and work some things out before . . . you know. Whatever’s next.’ I look out the window. No glimpse of land or sea, just the silky mountains of Cloud World spread out below us and piled high above. ‘Where are we headed?’ ‘Towards whatever’s next.’ He lifts his eyes to the heavens with sarcastic solemnity, then grins. ‘You’re going to help me get there, and I’m going to help you.’ I feel my guts twist as the plane surges and drops on erratic air currents. ‘Why would you help me? I’m the reason you’re dead.’ ‘Come on, R, don’t you get this yet?’ He seems upset by my question. He locks eyes on me and there’s a feverish intensity in them. ‘You and I are victims of the same disease. We’re fighting the same war, just different battles in different theatres, and it’s way too late for me to hate you for anything, because we’re the same damn thing. My soul, your conscience, whatever’s left of me woven into whatever’s left of you, all tangled up and conjoined.’ He gives me a hearty clap on the shoulder that almost hurts. ‘We’re in this together, corpse.’ A low tremor rumbles through the plane. The control stick wobbles in front of Perry, but he ignores it. I don’t know what to say, so I just say, ‘Okay.’ He nods. ‘Okay.’ Another faint vibration in the floor, like the concussions of distant bombs. ‘So,’ he says. ‘God has made us study partners. We need to talk about our project.’ He takes a deep breath and looks at me, tapping his chin. ‘I’ve been hearing a lot of inspirational thoughts prancing around in our head lately. But I’m not sure you really understand the storm we’re flying into.’ A few red lights blink on in the cabin. There is a scraping noise somewhere outside the plane. ‘What am I missing?’ I ask. ‘How about a strategy? We’re wandering around this city like a kitten in a dog kennel. You keep talking about changing the world, but you’re sitting here licking your paws while all the pit bulls circle in on us. What’s the plan, pussycat?’ Outside, the cotton clouds darken to steel wool. The lights flicker, and my souvenir stacks rattle. ‘I don’t . . . have one yet.’ ‘So when? You know things are moving. You’re changing, your fellow Dead are changing, the world is ready for something miraculous. What are we waiting for?’ The plane shudders and begins to dive. I stumble into the co-pilot chair, feeling my stomach rise into my throat. ‘I’m not waiting. I’m doing it right now.’ ‘Doing what? What are you doing?’ ‘I’m trying.’ I hold Perry’s gaze and grip the sides of my seat as the plane shakes and groans. ‘I’m wanting it. I’m making myself care.’ Perry’s eyes narrow and his lips tighten, but he doesn’t say anything. ‘That’s step one, isn’t it?’ I yell over the noise of wind and roaring engines. ‘That’s where it has to start.’ The plane lurches and my souvenir stacks collapse, scattering paintings, movies, dishes, dolls and love notes all over the cabin. More lights flare in the cockpit, and a voice crackles on the radio. R? Helloooo? Are you okay? Perry’s face has gone cold, all playfulness gone. ‘Bad stuff is coming, R. Some of it’s waiting for you right outside this graveyard. You’re right, wanting change is step one, but step two is taking it. When the flood comes, I don’t want to see you dreaming your way through it. You’ve got my little girl with you now.’ Okay, you’re creeping me out. Wake up! ‘I know I didn’t deserve her,’ Perry says, his quiet murmur somehow rising above the noise. ‘She offered me everything and I pissed on it. So now it’s your turn, R. Go keep her safe. She’s a lot softer than she seems.’ God damn it, you asshole! Wake up or I’ll fucking shoot you! I nod. Perry nods. Then he turns to face the window and folds his arms across his chest while the controls shake wildly. The storm clouds peel apart and we are diving to Earth, hurtling directly towards the Stadium, and there they are, the infamous R and J, sitting on a blanket on the rain-soaked roof. R looks up and sees us, his eyes open wide just as we – My eyes open wide and I blink reality into focus. I am standing in front of a small grave in an amateur cemetery. Julie’s hand is on my shoulder. ‘Are you back?’ she asks. ‘What the hell was that about?’ I clear my throat and look around. ‘Sorry. Daydreaming.’ ‘God, you’re weird. Come on, I don’t want to be here any more.’ She strides briskly towards the exit. Nora and I follow her. Nora keeps pace with me, eyeing me sideways. ‘Daydreaming?’ she asks. I nod. ‘You were talking to yourself a little.’ I look at her. ‘Some pretty big words, too. I think I heard â€Å"miraculous†.’ I shrug. The waterfall noise of the city rushes into our ears as the guards open the doors and we step back into the Stadium proper. The doors have barely slammed shut behind us when I feel that baby kick in my stomach again. A voice whispers, Here it comes, R. Are you ready? ‘Oh, this is lovely,’ Julie says under her breath. There he is, marching around the street corner in front of us: Julie’s dad, General Grigio. He strides directly towards us, flanked on each side by an officer of some kind, although none of them wear traditional military attire. Their uniforms are light grey shirts and work pants, no decorations or rank insignias, just pockets and tool loops and laminated ID badges. High-calibre side arms gleam softly in their belt holsters. ‘Be cool, R,’ Julie whispers. ‘Don’t say anything, just, um . . . pretend you’re shy.’ ‘Julie!’ the general calls out from an awkward distance. ‘Hi, Dad,’ Julie says. He and his retinue stop in front of us. He gives Julie’s shoulder a quick squeeze. ‘How are you?’ ‘Fine. Just went to see Mom.’ His jaw muscle twitches, but he doesn’t respond. He looks at Nora, gives her a nod, then looks at me. He looks at me very hard. He pulls out a walkie-talkie. ‘Ted. The individual who slipped past you yesterday. You said it was a young man in a red tie? Tall, thin, poorly complected?’ ‘Dad,’ Julie says. The walkie squawks. The general puts it away and pulls a pair of thumb cuffs from his belt. ‘You are detained for unauthorised entry,’ he recites. ‘You will be held in – ‘ ‘Jesus Christ, Dad.’ Julie steps forward to push his hands away. ‘What is wrong with you? He’s not an intruder, he’s visiting from Goldman Dome. And he almost died on the way here so cut him some slack on the legalities, will you?’ ‘Who is he?’ the general demands. Julie edges in front of me as if to block me from responding. ‘His name is . . . Archie – it was Archie, right?’ She glances at me and I nod. ‘He’s Nora’s new boyfriend. I just met him today.’ Nora grins and squeezes my arm. ‘Can you believe what a nice dresser he is? I didn’t think guys knew how to wear a tie any more.’ The general hesitates, then puts the cuffs away and forces a thin smile. ‘Pleased to meet you, Archie. You’re aware of course that if you want to stay any longer than three days you’ll need to register with our immigration officer.’ I nod and try to avoid eye contact, but I can’t seem to look away from his face. Although that tense dinner I witnessed in my visions couldn’t have been more than a few years ago, he looks a decade older. His skin is thin and papery. His cheek-bones protrude. His veins are green in his forehead. One of the officers with him clears his throat. ‘So sorry to hear about Perry, Miss Cabernet. We’ll miss him very much.’ Colonel Rosso is older than Grigio but has aged more gracefully. He is short and thick, with strong arms and a muscular chest above the inevitable old-man paunch. His thin hair is wispy and white, blue eyes big and watery behind thick glasses. Julie gives him a smile that seems genuine. ‘Thanks, Rosy. So will I.’ Their exchange sounds proper but rings false, as if paddling above deep undercurrents. I suspect they have already shared a less professional moment of grief somewhere away from Grigio’s officious gaze. ‘We appreciate your condolences, Colonel Rosso,’ he says. ‘However, I’ll thank you not replace our surname when addressing my daughter, whatever such â€Å"revisions† she may have embraced.’ The older man straightens. ‘Apologies, sir. I meant nothing by it.’ ‘It’s just a nickname,’ Nora says. ‘Me and Perry thought she was more of a Cab than a . . .’ She trails off under Grigio’s stare. He pans slowly over to me. I avoid eye contact until he dismisses me. ‘We have to be going,’ he says to no one in particular. ‘Good to meet you, Archie. Julie, I’ll be in meetings all night tonight and then heading over to Goldman in the morning to discuss the merger. I expect to be back at the house in a few days.’ Julie nods. Without another word, the general and his men depart. Julie examines the ground, seeming far away. After a moment, Nora breaks the silence. ‘Well, that was scary.’ ‘Let’s go to the Orchard,’ Julie mutters. ‘I need a drink.’ I’m still looking down the street, watching her father shrink into the distance. Just before rounding a corner he glances back at me, and my skin prickles. Will Perry’s flood be of water, gentle and cleansing, or will it be a flood of a different kind? I feel movement under my feet. A faint vibration, as if the bones of every man and woman ever buried are rattling deep in the earth. Cracking the bedrock. Stirring the magma. How to cite Warm Bodies Chapter 14, Essay examples

International Business Strategy Boston Properties

Question: Discuss about the International Business Strategy for Boston Properties. Answer: Introduction: About Boston Properties Boston Properties Inc. operates as a self managed and administered real estate investment trust or REIT in United States. Boston Properties owns, manages and also contributes in developing high quality office properties and suits in America based along significant regions like Boston, Los Angeles, New York and also in other areas like San Francisco and Washington DC. The company was formed during 1970 in Boston owing to the joint efforts of Mortimer B. Zuckerman and Edward H. Linde. Its current headquarters is based in Boston. Boston Properties is traded in the New York Stock Exchange (NWSE) as BXP. Along with office properties, Boston Properties also focuses on the development of retail, residential and hotel properties in United States(Boston Properties, Inc. , 2016). Market Entry Into Sweden Boston Properties focuses to gain an effective market entry into Sweden. The country is chosen by the management of Boston Properties owing to the existence of an integrated economic system compared to other international regions. Further, the commercial climate in Sweden is observed to be technology driven in nature that contributes in conducting transactions in an easy and faster fashion. The government of Sweden largely encourages the growth of foreign investment and international trade in the region that potentially contributes in enhancing the level of completion in the trade and economic sector in Sweden(Swedish Institute., 2016). Further, Sweden tends to possess an effective pool of trained and qualified human resources that would contribute in conducting the business and trade functions in an effective fashion. Increased investments are generated by the Swedish government in the ambit of Research and Development and also in the development of Information Technology infrastruc tures. The existence of an innovative working climate, increased productive and skilled workforce and also an open economic system potentially help in attracting foreign investors to invade the region. The region also reflects a competitive tax climate in the form of existence of tax exemptions and reliefs on capital gains and interests respectively. The operation of private enterprises in Sweden contributes to around 90 percent of the total industrial production in the region where the service sector contributed to 68.8 percent of the GDP of the country during 2013(Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the USA, Inc., 2015). Foreign Market Entry Mode The American companies like Boston Properties Inc. can effectively focus on the formation of strategic alliances like generation of joint ventures with other companies while also focusing on generation of licenses and contracts with existing institutions based along in Sweden. Formation of joint ventures and also the generation of licenses and contracts are observed to be effective market entry modes for Boston Properties in that it contributes in reduction of risk and also in faster expansion and penetration of the real estate company in the Swedish market(Holm et al., 2015). The use of the above market entry modes like joint venture, licensing and generation of contracts would help Boston Properties Inc. in gaining effective market entry in the Swedish real estate market. Formation of joint ventures and other such licensing and contractual agreements with existing companies in Sweden would help Boston Properties in gaining potential access to markets, business resources and existin g channels and networks possessed by such companies. The same would effectively help Boston Properties in developing an effective presence in Sweden(Swedish Institute., 2016). Corporate Strategy of Boston Properties The corporate strategy of Boston Properties is effectively reflected in the following statements. The management of Boston Properties essentially focuses on developing business bases in such areas that reflect increased consumer demand regarding premium and high quality office spaces. Further, Boston Properties aim in carrying out its business activities in such regions and also aim to expand to such economies that reflect increased barriers to entry for foreign ventures. The same helps in reducing the level of competitiveness based on reducing the access of companies to existing resources and infrastructures. The management of the real estate company also focuses on undertaking challenging tasks in that the same helps in optimal utilisation of the skill and resources base of the institution. Taking on challenging tasks contributes in creating a niche market. Boston Properties aims in incorporating effective technology and other resources for enhancing the quality of the office, resi dential and hotel properties developed. Incorporation of effective communication and transportation facilities potentially help in addressing the needs of potential consumers. The company management also focuses on acquiring of potential assets and real estate properties while also aims in expanding across the business territory based on the development of joint venture agreements with regional companies. Boston Properties Inc. also focuses on enhancing and creating needed value and demand for its real estate properties(Boston Properties, Inc., 2016). Potential Implications of Formal and Informal Institutions Sweden Formal Institutions Formation of Joint Ventures in Sweden is identified as an effective agreement generated between two or more firms for performing through an institution. The joint venture is carried out through an institution that is limited by shares, or a firm generated out of a trading partnership, or based on limited partnership or that identified to be formed as a non-trading partnership(IBP, Inc., 2015). Sweden being a competitive and free economic system and also driven by an innovative and skill based work culture largely attracts the flow of foreign direct investment. Way back in 1993, the Swedish government had generated regulations that had contributed in generation of a transparent and liberal economic system attracting potential FDI in the region(Invest in EU, 2016). Semi-Formal Institutions The Swedish organisations reflect organisational members interacting with each other in a casual fashion. The people also tend to wear casual clothing in the workplaces. The Swedish firms reflect reduced chain of command that helps in conducting of effective interactions and also in taking of decisions in a collaborative fashion. The Swedish people though punctual in nature focus on taking sacred breaks. The organisational members are required to communicate in Swedish and know the tax laws of the region(Swedish Institute., 2016). South Korea Formal Institutions Joint Ventures are not specifically defined under the Korean Law. Joint Ventures of the type corporate and contractual are conducted in South Korea where the corporate JVs are corporations that are governed and run by members that have formed joint ventures or by directors appointed by the joint venture members. The contractual joint ventures are observed to be formed based on the generation of joint venture contracts between two or more people without the need for incorporating an organisation. In the founding documents regarding formation of joint ventures, foreign languages can be effectively used by the members. For registration purposes of JVs however documents are translated in Korean languages. Statutory limits are not established regarding number of members required for forming of joint ventures (Practical Law, 2015). The Korean government reflects positive attitude pertaining to the gaining of increased FDI from different international regions. The government potentially und erstands the value of FDI and thus encourages its flow in the region. The FDI flow in South Korea however is affected by lack of transparency and also changes in the regulatory mechanisms(U.S. Department of State , 2013). Semi-Formal Institutions The South Koreans tend to first bow and then focus on shaking hands with the expatriate people. The subordinates tend to bow to their seniors while the seniors in the organisation are the first to shake hands. The actual meeting is preceded by the generation of information regarding the parties to be involved in the meeting. Effective greetings are required to be made through the presentation of fruits, chocolates and flowers wrapped in an effective fashion. The gifts are required to be wrapped in red and yellow colours. Effective relationships are required to be made with the South Korean people while also appointments are required to be made in advance of around 3 to 4 weeks. Conservative dresses are required to be worn during meetings(Commisceo Global Consultancy Ltd, 2016). Saudi Arabia Formal Institutions Foreign investors focusing on entering into Saudi Arabia are needed to effectively partner with local investors commonly known as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) investors. The partners entered into a JV agreement are required to gain legal recognition for conducting its business in KSA. Legal entities in KSA administer and govern the conducting of JVs in the region(Clyde Co LLP, 2013). The Saudi Arabian region reflects a positive and an attractive environment for FDI flow. The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) focuses on generation of effective information and potential assistance to investors that focus on the generation of increased investments in diverse sectors relating to Saudi Arabia. The government of Saudi Arabia focuses on creating an open and liberal economy that potentially encourages the flow of FDI in the region. The Investor Service Centre of SAGIA not only focuses on the generation of effective information but also licenses to the investors (U.S. Depar tment of State , 2015). Semi-Formal Institutions The Saudis generate increased importance to the aspect of connections and networks gained on an individual level. They tend to focus on gaining personal information related to the qualifications possessed by the individuals along with their family and social networks. Gaining information on such basis helps the Saudis in generating ranks to the individuals in the firm. Further, the Saudis also lay increased importance on the parameter of effective greetings and mannerism and are also required to abide by the Islamic traditions and laws for conducting social and business interactions. The Saudi people increasingly focus on the development of effective relationship with the expatriate staffs that tend to effectively respond to their hospitality gestures(HR Zone, 2013). References Boston Properties, Inc. , 2016. Overview. [Online] Available at: https://www.bostonproperties.com/pages/about [Accessed 23 August 2016]. Boston Properties, Inc., 2016. Our Strategy. [Online] Available at: https://www.bostonproperties.com/pages/about/our-strategy [Accessed 23 August 2016]. Clyde Co LLP, 2013. Joint Ventures in KSA. [Online] Available at: https://www.saudiarabia.doingbusinessguide.co.uk/media/383628/ME-Fact-sheet-B006-KSA-Joint-Ventures-Eng-May2013pdf.PDF [Accessed 24 August 2016]. Commisceo Global Consultancy Ltd, 2016. South Korea Guide. [Online] Available at: https://www.commisceo-global.com/country-guides/south-korea-guide [Accessed 23 August 2016]. Holm, U., Forsgren, M. Johanson, J., 2015. Knowledge, Networks and Power: The Uppsala School of International Business. United Kingdom : Springer. HR Zone, 2013. Doing business in Saudi Arabia - cultural considerations for HR. [Online] Available at: https://www.hrzone.com/perform/business/doing-business-in-saudi-arabia-cultural-considerations-for-hr [Accessed 23 August 2016]. IBP, Inc., 2015. Sweden Insolvency (Bankruptcy) Laws and Regulations Handbook - Strategic Information and Basic Laws. United States: Lulu.com. Available at: https://www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-markets/Countries/Sweden/Doing-business/Tariffs-and-regulations [accessed 23 August 2016]. Invest in EU, 2016. Invest in Sweden. [Online] Available at: https://www.investineu.com/content/invest-sweden [Accessed 24 August 2016]. Practical Law, 2015. Joint ventures in South Korea: overview. [Online] Available at: https://ca.practicallaw.com/7-617-3185 [Accessed 24 August 2016]. Swedish Institute., 2016. Taking Care of Business in Sweden. [Online] Available at: https://sweden.se/business/taking-care-of-business-in-sweden/ [Accessed 23 August 2016]. Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the USA, Inc., 2015. Why Sweden? [Online] Available at: https://www.sacc-usa.org/export-guides/doing-business-in-sweden/why-sweden/ [Accessed 23 August 2016]. U.S. Department of State , 2013. 2013 Investment Climate Statement - Republic of Korea. [Online] Available at: https://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2013/204670.htm [Accessed 24 August 2016]. U.S. Department of State , 2015. 2015 Investment Climate Statement - Saudi Arabia. [Online] Available at: https://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2015/241728.htm [Accessed 24 August 2016].