Assessment in the Mental Health Setting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Assessment in the Mental Health Setting - Essay Example Assessment is the first stage of the nursing process and begins with the collection of information about a patient (Hinchliff et al, 2003). In a broad sense, assessment is the foundation of nursing care and is a continuous process that nurses apply in their delivery of care (Ryrie and Norman 2010). Barker (2004) also identifies assessment as an estimation of a person’s character, and as a â€Å"decision making process based upon the collection of relevant information, using a formal set of ethical criteria, that contributes to an overall estimation of a person and his circumstances†. However it has been suggested that mental health nursing profession should integrate the broad principles of recovery approach into every aspect of nursing practice including that of assessment (DH 2006). Furthermore, a number of standardised assessment tools has been developed to support nurses further in fulfilling their professional task in clinical measurement and also in providing â₠¬Å"a general outline or the presentation of the person at a particular point in time† (Barker 2004). This essay will now identify, using evidence-based practice, a formal assessment tool used in the assessment of a patient in an acute inpatient assessment ward during a recent clinical placement. Relevant references will be cited to support statements and conclusions; appendices will also be provided to give a sample of the assessment tool used during the placement. In accordance with the Nursing & Midwifery Council’s Code of Professional Conduct (2002) guidelines, certain parts of this original essay such as the patient history will be omitted to maintain confidentiality and protect anonymity. The setting is an acute inpatient ward and a mixed gender unit. It provides a safe environment for assessment, treatment and therapeutic work helping to secure the full spectrum of mental health conditions designed to promote recovery as stated by the Department Of Health (2006). In this essay, I will pay attention to the use of the assessment instrument: Becks Depression Inventory (BDI). This inventory is basically composed of a series of queries conceptualized to measure the intensity and severity of patients with a diagnosis of mental health disorders (Polgar, 2003). The long form covers 21 questions which are meant to evaluate a specific symptom manifest among people with depression. The shorter form is composed of seven questions and is meant to be carried out by primary care givers (Polgar, 2003). This assessment tool was originally meant to evaluate and monitor depression among patients in the mental health setting and is now widely used as a measure and evaluation tool for patients with potentially depressed symptoms. I am fully aware of ethical issues on consent and so I gained a valid and informed consent of the patient in accordance with the NMC provisions (2002, section 3). The patient was made aware that this work would be confidential (NMC, 200 2, section 5). To protect her identity, she will be referred to as Helen in this paper. Helen is 65 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She is currently in the acute mixed gender ward for assessment and treatment. For the past several years she has been admitted on and off into the ward similarly for depressed symptoms, and sometimes for manic symptoms. Rationale in selecting one type of assessment tool Using one type of assessment tool is crucial to the delivery of nursing care. The single assessment process applied to the patient helps to ensure that â€Å"older people’s needs are accurately assessed without needless duplication across different agencies†

Psychology, Theology and the Spiritual Life in Christian Counseling Essay Example for Free

Psychology, Theology and the Spiritual Life in Christian Counseling Essay 1. This paper is a book review that will deal with the above work by McMinn and the nature of Christian counseling in general. The work is a whole is designed to be easily read, and reads very quickly at the price of sophistication. Its ultimate purpose is one of integration on wto levels: first, the integration of the â€Å"broken† person back into loving relationships, chiefly with God, who is a God of healing, and second, the immensely important integration of theology with the aims of counseling. Counseling without God is a far less complex affair than Christian counseling. The secular counselor can be safely utilitarian, whatever helps heal the person might be tried or advocated. However, with Christian counseling, the idea of integration is all important. Christians have a specific view of the personality that cannot be ignored in counseling. These ideas on the human personality is based around our inherent sinfulness and â€Å"brokenness. † (McMinn, 1996, 32). This is central, all of humanity is in need of counseling of some sort, but the final end of counseling, that of union with God in and by healthy relationships with other persons, provides far more difficult challenges than the more utilitarian secularist. Furthermore, the idea of the integration of the ego out of its sinful (yet natural) drive to self-sufficiency (cf. 35-40ff) is another specifically Christian idea when coupled with the important idea of Grace, the Grace that is, by its very function, a healing balm. Hence, the counselor must also know how to â€Å"give way† to grace, grace that is not in the control of the counselor. The notion of the â€Å"abuse of power† so important to the chapter on â€Å"Sin†is precisely not realizing the fact that the Christian counselor must act as a conduit of grace and not its â€Å"dispenser. † Thus, the counselor that does not realize this gap, the gap between the counselor and the will of God for the broken victim has failed in his duty. The grace for the believer is always present, and Christian counseling must have a sense that his duty is to help the victim find it. The basic thesis of the book is sound from a theological and a psychological point of view: the modern secular mentality stresses ego satisfaction and ones â€Å"control† over ones life. But this is little more than the institutionalization of original sin: this is the problem, not the solution. This desire, natural to fallen man, to be self-sufficient is the root of all psychological problems. Hence, the work takes this fundamental insight through the various ideas that develop in the process of counseling: prayer, scripture, forgiveness, etc. Each concerns itself with bringing the patient to a fuller understanding of the nature of his alienation, both from others an from God. 2. In the section on prayer, I was struck by several things, things that I recall myself going through. I was always taken aback by the attacks on prayer by both mainline psychology and society at large: why would one pray if God is all knowing? Of course this is not an easy question, and the church fathers dealt with it in some detail. I began to see prayer as being of 2 kinds: the intercessory prayer, or the literal meaning of prayer in the sense as â€Å"to ask. † This is not a part of Christian counseling to any great degree. But the second form of prayer, that of communion and oneness, is. The prayerful meditation of the ancient monks has healing properties even apart of belief. Prayer, as McMinn points out, reduces stress, creates a bond with the counselor, and places the problems of man in a theological context (66ff). The same might be said for his section on Scripture: is not Job an excellent case study for the Christian counselor? Is not David and his sins even better? (Cf. 100) It seems to me that the development of my own prayer life since being involved with counseling has more to do with dealing rather than asking. , In other words, it seems to me that pure prayer is not about asking for things: God knows what we need. Pure prayer is about dealing with that which God has given us in our own development. Suffering is no a bad thing with a prayerful attitude: it permits us to reject the world and its comforts, and to seek our rest in God alone. Christians involved in counseling should avoid, as my experience has shown, treating prayer as a means of â€Å"getting† things. This can lead to disappointment and a belief that God is merely a great cosmic vending machine that exists to grant wishes. I recall my older view that prayer was about â€Å"getting,† instead of â€Å"dealing. † Prayer as a means of communing with God in the midst of suffering is both a very Christian idea as well as a powerful tool in counseling Christians. 3. A major issue that arises from reading this book is the difficulty of the task. The author is writing for a popular audience, and hence, can not get into the deep psychology and theology necessary to make his this work. Theology is the highest of the sciences, and this is because the understanding of Christ as Logos gives both the efficient and final cause of creation, including our minds. The Logos is the being of all things so far as they exemplify a cosmic reason, an interconnectedness that makes nature understandable and law-abiding. But our problem arises, both as Christians and as counselors, when we are forced to deal with the affects of the fall: a nature that bears God’s energy (though not her person), but is only poorly reflected in our minds that have been darkened by sin. Christianity has been worried about this healing since St Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine, who have dealt with the church and the Christian life as primarily a psychological affair, an affair of the consciousness, but a consciousness whose own drives seek to obliterate God and his presence in the interests of self centeredness. The very nature of the book in question cannot get into these issues except in trite examples. The book needs to build upon Christ as Logos before any serious psychology can be done. Putting this differently, the point is that Christ is to be found in the human mind in that it bears traces, fingerprints of the creator, but the creator as the Son, the image of the Father. The cosmic reason found in all things. This is an ontological problem, one that needs to inform all Christian psychology. Th reality is that this book is far too simple, far to â€Å"easy† and cannot gt to th heart of the matter. 4. In terms of action, I want to take from McMinn’s section on Scripture. This is likely the most valuable part of the work, and Scripture, to say the least, is only rarely considered a bok of counseling or psychology. Yet, the scriptures are saturated with psychological insight. Hence, my action here is to begin bringing scriptural sources into counseling. Even with secular patients, the Bible, even if the patient does not necessarily believe its divine origin, still contains many positive and negative examples for people to consider. The sins of David, including murder, are helpful is showing the example of repentance and the fact that a spiritual giant like David can be so flawed. I might say the same of Noah, after his drunkenness. God can forgive anything. The prophets such as Jeremiah or Amos were all persecuted for their beliefs and complete refusal to compromise. For people to be treated harshly because of their faith is something Christ explicitly mentions as the lot of the Christian: scripture is about God’s presence amidst a world that does not recognize him, whether it be the establishment of Judah or the Jewish Pharisees. The Christian Will suffer–there is no getting out of that, it is built into the process of both living and counseling. Christ Himself is such an example. Therefore, in dealing with patients, the Scriptures will be the central component in counseling for the examples they contain: examples of righteous suffering, but suffering with a purpose. Suffering with a purpose is bearable, suffering for no reason is not,. There is not a major figure in the Scriptures that is not persecuted for one reason or another by a world that does not understand te godly life. For us as counselors, nothing can be more important, useful or inspiring.

The House of Seven Gables as a Gothic Novel Essay -- House of the Seve

The House of Seven Gables as a Gothic Novel      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To be a paradigm of a Gothic novel, The House of Seven Gables needs to include many elements, all which center on the ideas of gloom, horror, and mystery. The action of a Gothic novel takes place in a "run-down, abandoned or occupied, mansion or castle," which often include secret passages, doors, and compartments (Encarta). The mansion also adds its own flavor and variety to the atmosphere of mystery and suspense in the novel by providing a dark and gloomy setting where the story takes place. The basis of mystery and suspense in the atmosphere of the novel feeds off of "an unexplained or supernatural event" in the present or from past generations (Harris). The unexplained event in the novel is a result of ancient prophecy in connection with the history of the mansion, or the earlier generations, and explains the negative vicissitude in future present generations. The ancient prophecy sometimes only provides the reader with "partial or confusing" informa tion or only provides one side of the story, thus presenting and even stronger feeling of mystery in the novel (Harris). Bad omens and visions of death also occur to foreshadow the misfortune of a character in the novel in the near future. The use of omens as foreshadowing devices also develops and presents additional suspense to the already mysterious plot. Along with omens, supernatural events also appear in a Gothic novel to add mystery and include: "ghosts, giants, or inanimate objects coming to life" (Harris). The supernatural events continue to add the atmosphere of suspense and even horror to the Gothic novel. In a Gothic novel, a "tyrannical male" usually threatens a weak female, adding an elemen... ...n and fulfills the last criteria in presenting the House of Seven Gables as a Gothic novel.    The use of the elements of mystery, suspense, and horror in the House of Seven Gables creates the atmosphere common to a Gothic novel. The use of the supernatural and other mysterious events, in the House of Seven Gables, also compose the elements present in Gothic Literature. By presenting the elements through the setting and plot, The House of Seven Gables contains all requirements of a Gothic novel, claiming its spot in dark halls of the Gothic literature genre.    Works Cited "Gothic Literature." Encarta Encyclopedia: Microsoft. 2nd Ed. 1998. Harris, Robert. Vanguard University of Southern California Gothic Literature Page. 20 November 2000. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The House of Seven Gables. New York: Dover Publications, 1999.   

Interpreting the Quote “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” Essay

„Always look on the bright side of life.â€Å" When I read â€Å"Always look on the bright side of life†, the song of the same title immediately got stuck in my head. The song is great and so are its lyrics. Although it was originally featured in Monty Pythons comedy movie â€Å"Life of Brian†, it is also commonly played at funerals. When people are having a hard time, it is very important to never let them forget that there will be better times again soon. The melody and the words often help me to get through a rough day or to forget a bad mood too. In the following essay, I will discuss the benefits of using this quote as a personal motto. For many people, including me, the quotation â€Å"Always look on the bright side of life† is also a personal motto. Everyday, you are surrounded by many pessimistic people and negative environments. It is your own choice whether you are going to be happy or not. People tend to blame other people for their unhappiness, which is ridiculous. It is very important that you are able to be happy on your own and that you do not need others to make you that. As for myself, I try very hard to live my life like an optimist and to not let other people’s moods and negative thoughts influence me in a negative way. Of course, I am not optimistic about every single situation. However, generally, I am making efforts in keeping my chin up and not letting others influence my good mood in a bad way. On the contrary, it is not difficult for me to be cheered up by other people when I am grumpy or disheartened. There are some days of course on which I wish everyone not to cross my way for his or her best because I know for sure that otherwise I would break out in tears or have an outburst of rage. However, I can say that I am a happy and well-balanced person most of the time. Choosing to see things in life positively is a view of life. Mankind strives to achieve happiness and it should always be our first goal but many people fail to reach this goal by seeing things negatively the whole time and being upset about things they cannot change anyway. Always looking on the bright side of life is the key to happiness.

The british invasion: musical movement of 1960s

The focal point of the paper is to analyze and evaluate the British Invasion or the musical movement of the mid-1960s composed of British rock-and-roll (â€Å"beat†) groups whose popularity spread rapidly throughout England and the United States. For the purpose it is important to understand the socio political equilibrium of the time. This is because the main factors in this movement are predominantly three fold. The first one is changing social pattern after the Great War. The second important factor is the aspect of cultural contacts and third aspect is the changing face of market and economy in UK and US.It could be mentioned in the initial stages that it was degeneration time. Imperialism had taken its tolls on the world, which was grilling on the last fires of the Second World War. The losses were too heavy, and the shocks, almost unbearable. People just lived through a test of the extent organized cruelty and purposeful ruthlessness could reach. As far as the future was concerned, the initial tremors of what would lead to a massive cross across the globe were being felt – the crack that broke it up into three distinctly different worlds, the first, the second and the third.In this context it would be relevant to mention that the generation was not finding their existence worth while or in other words they wanted more out of their life. This extra bit was searched everywhere and at every aspects of life and music was no different. The Beat movement came to this need of the hour with quite a few new faces budding with musical talents and a whole new genus of music called the rock ‘n’ roll. (Prawer, 221-5)It was regeneration time. Ideological conflicts and military interests were shaking civilization right up to its foundations. The doubts, dilemmas and confusions were gradually, quite slowly indeed, giving way to a new and unique cultural revolution. It was happening all across the United Kingdom and the United States. People sud denly seemed to realize that there was enough of political warfare to disgrace humanity. The prevailing standards suddenly seemed to be meaningless, and the insurgent youths wanted something different to happen.United Kingdom and its Beat Movement was no exception to this movement. As a matter of fact, it was one of the cores of it. The presence of a large number of African-Americans in the city was pushing it ahead to initiate the Civil Rights Movement. Something that had laid its roots in the human mind over a few millennia, apartheid that is, was gradually being uprooted by the new wave of what started being called the rock ‘n’ roll movement.   The existing musical trends, blues and country, did not suffice in expressing the protests and grievances of the new generation, which started looking at itself as a victim of political conspiracies. (Powell, 49-53)It could be stated that the focal point of this paper is realizing that what occurred in United Kingdom during the era of 1960s that was instrumental in giving the birth of rock n' roll. This was deeply influenced by the presence of the freshly migrated African American population in United Kingdom and influenced the musical development by a huge margin with musical forms that incorporated jazz meshing with country music.But the basic background of this movement started much earlier and it would be relevant to mention that the black community contributed hugely to this movement. African American history and the context in this case is the great migration during the mid 1900s. While looking into the matter it can primary be mentioned that migration is a subject that is studied on all levels when dealing with humanity and its idiosyncrasies. In order to understand migration we must understand the various components involved in migration, including internal migration, external migration, immigration and both refugees and Internally Displaced Persons. During the twentieth century, especially in the middle decades, it was found that the population of Southern UK with specification of African American origin has doubled within a span of 10 years after the Second World War.The population escalated to a high note and this time the immigrants were there in the region to put their hands on the industrial boom. This was obviously not at par with any single industry like Manchester but the cumulative sum total of the gross output became quite high and the settlements showed the white population of the area that there was more to music than usual traditional themes.These people use to gather around at the evening and presented their compositions to themselves. It was a leisurely approach but people like McCartney or Lennon soon found out that these rural touch of music can be polished and urbanized to develop into a new form of musical genera that was ultimately to be known as Rock ’n’ roll and as these people were from smaller towns and this part was to harvest most of the credit of this new form of music.   (Tyerman, 233-37)The life styles of the early 1960’s through the later 1960’s have emerged as fallout of the booming economy that is represented by the generation of ‘baby boomers’. The hardship during the days of the Second World War gave birth to the newest possible philosophies that state it is obvious to follow the trend of open market economy with all its perception of high yielding materialism. This hard cored materialism and pro life oriented attitude was previously known in the western world but now it came into a maximized form which sociologist refer as a pro active action against the mass destruction and insecurity of the last great war. The latest philosophy was to obtain as much as possible that life has to offer. Every social aspect changed with it and along with it changed the world around them.Plays and writer were no different. Colours became more vibrant and approach became more outrageous to k eep up with the society. Joe Orton's plays were a product of this period. UK and US was ready for this change and it only needed a spark to ignite its whole new musical genus. This was provided by the endowments of talented musicians like Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins, John Lennon and Elvis Presley. These people were to become the pride of the youth and the era soon came to be known as the cradle of Rock ‘n’ roll. (Manning, 279)The funny side of this approach was however different from the basic perception of the life styles of the early 1960’s through the later 1960 were a confluence of conflicting philosophies. As it was mentioned earlier that the idea of materialism was at its had hitting best but alternatively the simplicities of eastern philosophies, specifically Indian philosophies, were highly acclaimed though it was concentrated within a certain group of people. As a result, the poets and the writers, as least a section of them, who took their inspirations from life and society it self, inclined themselves towards the approach of simplistic formations of art forms.It is a well known fact and it has been shown time and again by many literary historians and researchers that the main targeted audience were the baby boomers who had all the opportunities to take all the advantages of almost any and every marketing gimmicks. UK and its music were not far behind in this era. The musicians of this time needed something more vibrant and colorful and Rock ’n’ Roll came out as the product of the time.   (Dollard, 116-7)It should be remembered that this was the era of the beginning of the ‘cold wars’ too and fascination of the authorities towards the space age race and nuclear future was overwhelming. So, it is obvious that the common demography of the country started mimicking the perception of the authorities taking the concept of space age right to their likings. As a result the musical designers coul d not be left far behind. They associated their music with the latest gizmos and presented the feature of Rock ’n’ Roll as new age revolution.The problem was that the new generation was unable to recognize themselves with the usual blues and other traditional forms. They wanted something exclusively that is easily identifiable to them. Rock ‘n’ Roll Music provided that element which included the latest approach to music with more flair and flamboyance. This music possessed more swings and action and this was what the generation of 1960’s wanted. The Beat movement provided this exact genus of music. (Knott, 188-9)The innovative and diversified methodology utilized between these two decades reflects a change in society’s considerations. The choice to change furniture styles reflects a great deal on the emotional status of the era and the need to recover from a series of devastating events. Those devastating events included World War II and a ve ry emotional roller coaster in the depression era which wrought havoc in many ways on the methods of production and the economic infrastructure of the United States and UK. The devastation involved during World War II provided impetus for the designers from various European countries to flee to the United States and UK for sanctuary and freedom of expression. This is where the innovation for the new modern style of music was managed.The 1950’s period was indeed a lively decade for arts and technology where many forces emerged influencing changes in musical design. The push of space travel, the defense industry and consumer booms provided impetus toward increased influences of fashion in lifestyle design. Cheap yet fashionable articles made to be thrown away afterwards became fashionable for household interiors. Youths of the era became a strong influence on this era of design by attacking the principles of tradition in many ways including interior design. Designers were intri gued and influenced by fantasy films, space travel and its mystique and more. Later this attitude was becoming more relevant with pop art culture, the Beatles, Woodstock, Peace, Love, Psycadelia and the Youth Force. (Kumar, 334)In conclusion it can well be stated that it is true that the movement of music in the form of Rock ‘n’ roll developed and reached at a great height but at the same time it is also a fact that it died out soon in its original form. However, the music of this era left a long standing legacy for generations to come in different forms and designs of music along with different issues to protest along with cultural homogeneous forms and changing socio economic and philosophical context, the basic causes of the development of this musical movement.Works Sited:Dollard, John; Zenith and Zero Points of History (New Haven and London: Yale University Press. 2004) pp 116-7Knott, P; Development of Analysis of US & UK Economy (Dhaka: Dasgupta & Chatterjee 2005) pp 188-9Kumar, H; Justice of Winners: Win Some, Lose None (Auckland: HBT & Brooks Ltd. 2005) pp 334Manning, C S; Principals and Practices of Hollywood Industry (Christchurch: National Book Trust. 2004) pp 279Powell, M; Anatomy of Modern Culture: Independence of Economy (Wellington: ABP Ltd 2001) pp 49-53Prawer, H A; The Kingdom of Rock’n’Roll (Dunedin: Allied Publishers 2004) pp 221-5Tyerman, J; Invention of the Musical Crusades (Dunedin: Allied Publications 2001) pp 233-37

Starbucks †Going Global Fast

Starbucks – Going Global Fast Abstract Starbucks, like other companies, has continued to expand its global operations for enhanced business sustainability. As a matter of fact, the company is going global by entering new markets. On the other hand, there are various risks that the company is facing in international markets. Therefore, Starbucks has been forced to deal with various elements in entering global markets to enhance its operations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Starbucks – Going Global Fast specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Introduction Starbucks prides itself as the largest coffeehouse company around the globe. It was started in Seattle as a coffee bean roaster and retailer (Starbucks, 2010, p. 8). From thereon, the company has been expanding as time goes by to reach new markets. Wholesomely, the company has more than 17,800 stores in 49 different countries (Starbucks, 2010, p. 12). Most of these stores are based in the United States of America. In addition, it has a large range of products to suit different market needs and tastes. In a broad perspective, most of its products are seasonal. This means that they are specific to a given locality that the company operates a store. Starbucks has always had good growth plans and in 2009 it had projected to open 900 stores outside the United States to enhance its global operations (Starbucks, 2010, p. 6). Starbucks global expansion: Controllables It should be known that the company has dealt with relevant controllable elements in entering global markets. The company has had a big challenge of maintaining its own growth (Starbucks, 2010, p. 21). As a matter of fact, it does not have any debt and has been financing its expansion programs without any problem. The company has also been forced to maintain a tight grip on its own image. To deal with this issue, it has ensured that most of its stores are company owned. This implies that there will be no franchises to slow down its operations in different perspectives. Price is another controllable element that the company has had to contend with. For instance, Italian bars have prospered by offering customers various quisines. Starbucks has controlled its advertising and therefore saved a bundle on its marketing costs (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 8).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As a matter of fact, it only spends 1% of its revenues on advertising and this is very effective and efficient. Most of this is incurred on new product launches and new flavor drinks. When compared with other companies that spend more than $ 300 million on advertising, the company spends $30 million (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 13). Management expansion tactics have been kept within the reach of the company’s resources in expanding to new markets (Starbucks, 2010, p. 24). This has made it possible for th e company to design and open a new store in less than 16 weeks. In addition, it has also been able to recoup its investments in less than three years. Innovation is another controllable element that the company has continually used to its advantage (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 32). In this case, the company has been highly innovative as far as its beverages are concerned. This can be explained from the fact that it has installed automatic espresso machines in more than 800 locations in a bid to improve service delivery in new markets (Bryant, 2009, p. 11). Some years back, the company began offering prepaid cards. This has improved its activities in new international markets. Technology has been embraced at an internal level in the company’s global expansion strategy (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 12). In this case, Web technology has been included in its systems to increase service delivery. This means that customers can preorder and pre-pay for various pastries and beverages. Starbucks g lobal expansion: Relevant uncontrollable elements The company has had to cope with the unpredictable challenge of being refereed to as a mature company (Starbucks, 2010, p. 6). This has been witnessed in the US but has spread to other foreign markets. In this case, the company will continually face a hostile reception from different future consumers. The company can not control the number of the youthful population in different markets. This means that it has to continually re-invent itself for enhanced sustainability. It has been extensively involved in market research to know the needs of different market segments (Bryant, 2009, p. 431).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Starbucks – Going Global Fast specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As the company spreads out, it has faced different cultural challenges in distinct markets. It should be known that countries have diverse cultural backgrounds. Culture defines th e tastes and preferences of different consumers. Therefore, the company has been forced to understand different cultural aspects to strengthen its presence (Bryant, 2009, p. 65). It is quite obvious that a given commodity might not do well in new international markets. In this case, Starbucks has continually enhanced its product line to suit new market needs and preferences. There is no company that can control the pace of technological advancements. Technology has continued to spread very fast as time goes by (Pendergrast, 2001, p. 32). For enhanced operations, the company should keep pace with various advancements for an improvement in its operations. To remain relevant, Starbucks has always embraced technology and incorporated it in its operations in relation to the demands of a given new market. Such advancements have been seen in the development of a prepaid card for customers (David, 2007, p. 7). Competition has been increasing in different markets like Japan. This competition has been intensified as customers demand new experiences. Therefore, the company should cope up with competition as it is not in any capacity to control it. For example, it has consistently developed a broad new menu in Japan to remain competitive. This has seen it increase its stores to 700 (David, 2007, p. 13). To keep off competition, it has also developed seasonal products to suit the needs of the market at that particular time (Bryant, 2009, p. 25). Starbucks has also had to contend with various political and legal bindings. An example is France’s arcane regulations and labor benefits. Major sources of risks facing Starbucks in its international markets One of the major risks that the company has faced is a saturated market. Though this has been witnessed in domestic markets like US and Canada, its effects have been felt in new and international markets. As much as it has more than 17,800 stores in 49 different countries, the company considers this as an upper limit of coffee shop saturation (Starbucks, 2010, p. 15).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, saturation has also been witnessed in Japan where the effect of new shops has slowly worn off. To curb this threat, the company has continually renovated its stores and improved its services to remain strategic in the market (Bryant, 2009, p. 35). Another source of risk is loosing customers. This is because the company offers very few options to different consumers. As a mater of fact, it has been importing its flagship products to new markets. As much as markets may be related, the company needs to develop products based on different tastes and preferences. This will protect it from losing customers who want new experiences (Bryant, 2009, p. 63). The Generation X does not feel comfortable with Starbucks stores and this is a very big source of business risk in international markets. In this case, the company might end up facing a very hostile reception from its future customers. As a matter of fact, they will be turned away by the power and image of the company’ s well known brand. To solve this problem, the company should continually redesign its brand to make it more appealing to the youthful market (Michelli, 2006, p. 17). Global expansion poses a big risk to the company’s international markets. This is because it makes less money from its overseas ventures. Such overseas ventures are operated in partnership with local businesses. In this case, the company should focus on a good strategic alliance that will increase its profitability. For instance, it can embrace alliances in the acquisition of properties instead of partnerships (Michelli, 2006, p. 19). Great obstacles will also be seen in SRC and Ethnocentrism with local partners. To solve this, the company can keep away SRC and Ethnocentrism from its decision making. There is another risk of employee disruption. In this case, there is a perception that most of the company’s employees are dissatisfied with their pay. Starbucks should therefore focus on new ways of reducing employee disruption to enhance service delivery in its stores (Michelli, 2006, p. 39). Critique Starbucks overall corporate strategy The company has been making various loses because of an apparent mismatch between its customer expectations and corporate strategy. Although the company dominates the USA market, there are other states that don’t have a single Starbuck store (Starbucks, 2010, p. 25). This means that it has not paid attention to the whole market. The company believes that it can make many sales by increasing its stores every now and then. By increasing its stores in domestic and international markets day by day, the company has forgotten to focus on its key mission of satisfying customer needs (Warner, 2004, p. 11). It should be known that the company can design and develop a new store in less than 16 weeks. Starbucks has continually focused on the older generation thereby forgetting the Generation X (Bryant, 2009, p. 75). In this case, it does not have a differ ential pricing for the youthful market. For instance, some of them find it absurd to pay $3 for a cup of coffee. The company has relied on franchising to expand its business outside United States and this undermines its strength in key domestic markets (USA and Canada). It is undeniable that the company is going global but its spending has not been matching its market status (Warner, 2004, p. 14). Starbucks only spends 1% of its revenues on advertising unlike other major companies that spend 10% of their revenues. This poor spending ultimately negates its brand building initiatives outside USA (Bryant, 2009, p. 67). Starbucks has in one way or the other created barriers to entry for other competitors through its somehow predatory real estate strategy (David, 2007, p. 18). This is not good in a free and competitive market and may attract a lot of dissents from customers and the community. The company’ does not pay its workers well in relation to their workload. This has create d a lot of dissatisfaction among employees. Apart from this, Schultz, the company’s chairman, has been making scathing comments that might affect its business in Muslim dominated regions (Michelli, 2006, p. 41). How Starbucks can improve profitability in Japan The company can still improve its profits in Japan by repositioning its products and services. As a matter of fact, Japanese customers are less conscious about prices. More attention should be focused on the youthful generation as they have good growth prospects. Because there are many competitors in Japan, the company can either increase benefits or reduce prices to keep off intensified competition. Japanese people are very busy and might not find enough time to visit Starbuck stores. In this case, it can introduce the US online system where customers will give their orders through the internet (Starbucks, 2010, p. 32). In addition, it can also come up with an effective entertainment or cultural campaign to entice vari ous Japanese youths. This will likely attract youths to the company’s stores. Extra activities can also be added to its existing product line to suit different market tastes. In this case, the company will be able to increase its profitability in Japan (Bryant, 2009, p. 31). Conclusion Starbucks has been increasing its global activities to expand its market beyond USA and Canada. This has seen the company establish its presence in more than 49 countries. Therefore, it has had to cope with the unpredictable and predictable elements in entering these markets. As much as it has more than 17,800 stores in 49 different countries, the company considers this as an upper limit of coffee shop saturation. The company has faced various criticisms because of its overall corporate strategy. This should be effectively taken care of for enhanced sustainability. For instance, the company believes that it can make more sales by increasing its stores every now and then. Despite all these probl ems, the company can still remain profitable in its key markets like Japan by embracing good growth strategies. Reference List Bryant, S. (2009). Everything but the Coffee: Learning about America from Starbucks. California: University of California Press. David, R. (2007). Struck By Starbucks. New York: Forbes. Michelli, J. A. (2006). The Starbucks experience: 5 principles for turning ordinary into extraordinary. New York: McGraw-Hill. Pendergrast, M. (2001). Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World. London: Texere. Starbucks. (2010). For business. Web. Starbucks. (2010). Starbucks coffee Japan. Web. Warner, M. (2004). Cup of Coffee, Grain of Salt. New York: New York Times.

The Geography of Cocaine

The Geography of Cocaine Free Online Research Papers Cocaine is a crystalline alkaloid produced from the leaves of the coca plant. It stimulates the central nervous system and suppresses appetite, creating an euphoric sense of happiness. It can also be used to increase energy, and post production. We need not confuse the coca leaf with the actual chemically altered substance that is cocaine, for they are two separate entities. This essay will focus on the history of the coca leaf, throughout South America, as well as the transformation from the leave to the actual drug. We will also be looking at the production and markets of the drug, focusing on the target consumers and the effects the drug has. Historians believe the first consumption of coca leafs dates back to 6000 BC by the Aymara Indians in the Andes mountains, significant in the social and religious organizations of the region’s pre-Columbian civilizations (Laserna, 1995; Erickson 1994) The Incas had adapted their myths and religion to conform to the plant. The leaf itself was said to be part of their daily diet in order to suppress their hunger and relieve their altitude sickness. Chewing of the coca leaves was at first reserved for Inca royalty, used for social, mystical, medicinal and religious purposes. Its use then expanded to the general public. They believed the plant had sacred origins and would therefore use it for various rituals and celebrations. The South American natives used coca for religious and medicinal purposes. It was also believed that chewing the leaf promoted contact with the spirit world and had healing powers. During the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, the traveler Pedro Cieza de Leon wrote in his memoir â€Å"The Indians carry the Coca in their mouths, from morning until they lie down to sleep; they never take it out. When I asked some of these Indians why they carried these leaves in their mouths, which they do not eat, but merely hold between their teeth, they replied that it prevents them from feeling hungry, and gives them great vigor and strength (in Mortimer,1901). The Spanish originally restricted the use of coca but later gave in when they discovered it stimulated and sustained laborers. The cultivation and consumption of coca under the Spanish rule became so popular that the leaf itself was often used in the place of money. It was the most commercialized Indian product in the colonial Andean world, even used as capital in Spanish commercial exchanges. The coca leaf was chewed in a specific manner and an invitation to do so was considered of the highest honor among a socie ty. Laborers would chew the plant to stimulate them and give them energy to continue working. The cultivation of the coca leaf and cocaine was mostly concentrated in Bolivia’s Yungas region, under the Incas. Laserna argues that 90% of rural Bolivians use coco regularly one way or another. Other countries exploiting the coca included Columbia and Peru. There has also been commercially cultivated cocaine in such places as Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Japan. For these countries cocaine cultivation remains a major source of income creating many jobs in the various stages of the creation process. Although the use and sale of this drug is prohibited and illegal, it remains a major substance in the United States. Cocaine HCI is odorless and classifies as a central nervous system stimulant. One of the central reasons why the cultivation of the coca leaf is so appealing in terms of job characteristics is as follows. Coca can reach maturity within two years of planting, which is faster than most other crops. It has a relatively long productive lifespan and requires less attention and investment than other crops once it has been planted. Also, once harvested and dried, leaves spoil slowly and are not prone to damage during transport. Coca can also provide up to 6 harvests a year in a region where most crops give 1. It also has access to a guaranteed local market, providing year round income and insurance against unusual weather-related or other disasters. The plant is highly adaptable to many climates and conditions and can be grown in bad or depleted soils. It can expand the agricultural frontier into land not otherwise suitable for farming and in exhausted soil. A chemist named Albert Niemann first extracted pure cocaine from the leaf of the Erythroxylon coca bush in the mid-19th century. In the early 20th century it became the main pick-me-up drug used in tonics to treat a wide variety of sicknesses. Its popularity grew as an ingredient in patent medicines and other family products such as the ever hip Coca-Cola. The use of cocaine was however later removed from the beverage and only the coca leaves were used. However this craze soon grew into instances of addiction, psychotic episodes, seizures, and even death. There were several steps taken to fight the problems associate with the use of cocaine Today, cocaine is a Schedule II drug, and comes in two basic forms such as powdered and freebase. The powdered form dissolves in water and it a hydrochloride salt where as freebase means it has not been neutralized by an acid and therefore not made into hydrochloride salt. The freebase form can also be smoked. Highly addictive, it can cause severe mental and physical problems and even death. The central ways of using cocaine are either by inhaling, snorting, injecting or smoking. It is said that the substance develops faster when smoked. Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that interferes with the re-absorption of dopamine, a chemical messenger associated with pleasure and movement. Such physical effects include dilated pupils, increased temperature and heart rate and also blood pleasure. The high from snorting can last up to 30 minutes, while that from smoking can last up to 10 minutes. Each user will react differently to the drug but the end results will always end in dependency and addiction and possible death. 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