Performancemangement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Performancemangement - Essay Example t hand and to keep with the competition, the company has taken up the decision to focus more on the new costing and pricing techniques to keep their focus on the customer and on maximization of the profit through cost reduction. The company uses the traditional costing methods to base the cost of their surgical equipments which are quite outdated and are therefore show a lesser profit as compared to the new costing methods which can help a company to maximize their profits. The traditional method used by the company does not focus on the reason for the occurrence of the cost i.e. whether the cost is directly linked with the production of the equipment or the cost is merely an overhead cost. (Exact Cost n.d.) Therefore, the cost is incorrectly charged to the product which decreases the profit margin for the company. It does not differentiate the cost on the basis of their use. As a certain material used in the production of equipment may be more costly than the other but is required in a limited quantity while the other may be cheaper but required in huge quantity. Costs cannot be properly allocated on the basis as to which department has provided the maximum amount of service to the particular department and the large amount of cost may be allocated to a department which has provided no service at all thus increasing the cost of that particular equipment. In contrast with the traditional costing methods which have certain deficiencies, a modern costing method can be used. This method is known as Activity Based Costing (ABC). Some points regarding this method are discussed in detail below: This method is based on the actual costing of a particular department as people who are connected to the department are involved in the costing process extract the data of cost to be allocated and allocate the cost to the production or service department as per the level of service provided. Since the costs are properly allocated to the respective departments in the

Pleasures and Perils in the US Marshals Service Essay

Pleasures and Perils in the US Marshals Service - Essay Example Online data and statistics are utilized to justify the points stated. Pleasures and Perils in the US Marshals Service The pursuit of a career is not easy; nor is its continuance. In most cases, years of education and some amount of rigorous training will have to be completed before anyone can get a hold of the title desired. Certain positions may even necessitate a passing grade in civil examinations or landing ahead of the class. Moreover, while there is no profession that is entirely hazard-free, many pose a risk to life and present links to a range of adversities that will take real dedication to cope with. The life of a federal law enforcer, particularly a United States Marshal, is a clear depiction of a career that is both hard-earned and gruellingly preserved. Being the enforcement arm of the United States federal courts, the duties of these officers typically involves protection of judicial officers, transport of prisoners, handing out arrest warrants, and apprehending law off enders. According to John Gibbons, US Marshal for Massachusetts, the marshal’s service weighs many issues when moving prisoners and regularly changes travel routes based on factors such as weather, threat levels, traffic patterns or other significant events that may be happening in the area (Ring, 2011). In other words, blunders, accidents, and natural disasters are among the perils marshals come face to face with on a regular basis, and are not to be taken too lightly. On the worst scenario, casualties are probable. U.S. Marshals Director Stacia A. Hylton said in a statement, "our deputies and law enforcement partners face danger every day in the pursuit of justice for the citizens of this great nation. Our people and our partners are well-trained and prepared, but it is impossible to predict when a wanted individual will make a fateful choice that results in the loss of life or injury†.   A statistic imparted by the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) reveals that for the year 2011 alone, line of duty deaths totalled to 117, with gunfire as the most recurrent culprit (See Figure 1.0 for a more detailed presentation). An even appalling fact is that, the number is a 7 percent increase from last year; and we are just on the 8th month. Officers of the federal law enforcement agency are usually the last targeted for national budget cuts, and the rationale behind this is apparent. Unfortunately, they are also beginning to feel the impact of economic downturn. As per the ABC world news released on January 2009, a report by Thomas, Date and Cook, 27 percent of departments have implemented a hiring freeze for police officers, 12 percent are considering layoffs or forced retirements, 49 percent have reduced or eliminated funding for technology updates, and 61 percent have cut overtime, which is often used to boost police presence in high crime areas. At present, the USMS is not hiring, and the date for the next recruiting process is still unidentified. Wh ile the USMS, and other law enforcement agencies should be expected to sign up more candidates owing to the increasing crime rates, there is not enough resources to sustain the costs entailed. However, many are still eyeing for a place in the US Marshals Service as indicated by applications received by United States US Marshal district offices. This paper will closely examine all basic information related