The SEC has just proposed a rule that will require all public companies to report the ratio between the total pay of the CEO and the median pay of all other employees (excluding the CEO). Some of the unintended consequences –particularly for employment– will be severe.
When CEOs exceed expectations or outpace rivals they tend to reap big rewards and when they fall short of financial hurdles they tend to lose out on pay and bonuses. According to a reports from the Wall Street Journal based on a study by Equilar more and more S&P 500 CEOs have been clearing or exceeding the goals set by directors. But is this the complete picture? Since when is public company compensation representative for all CEOs?
Two contrary developments reveal decidedly mixed developments in CEO compensation. In order to justify its pay to its top executives, Citibank is forever fiddling with the rivals it compares itself with. Conversely, in a clear sign that it is unhappy with the direction of the company the board of J.C. Penney cut the pay of its CEO Ron Johnson by almost 97 percent.
CEO.com assembled a list of 10 “big-time CEOs” who earn a base salary of just $1 a year. At a time when most CEOs are notorious for enormous pay packages (on average $10.5 million, according to Forbes), these 10 have opted for something less lofty. They do have one thing in common: all are entrepreneurial with all but one—Eddie Lampert—having founded a business. Yes, Virginia, founder-entrepreneurs do think differently than manager-CEOs.
CEO pay is an emotional issue with some, but it as a business performance issue it may be beside the point. Simply said, reducing chief executive pay, while a nice symbolic gesture, is not going to materially improve profitability. Symbolism won’t pay shareholder dividends, won’t drive revenue and won’t better the bottom line. One expert suggests that more attention and energy should go into investigating supplier “salary” rather than CEO remuneration.
Cash compensation for S&P 500 corporate board directors increased by only 1 percent while total comp increased by 8 percent. Companies are moving away from compensation based upon meeting attendance. Despite long-standing criticism companies continue to offer benefits to directors.
In 2012, labor unions and associated organizers under the “Occupy” umbrella have been especially active in challenging executives’ pay, according to a recent report by James R. Copland, director of the Manhattan Institute’s Center for Legal Policy. The Institute’s report is featured in ProxyMonitor.org, a publicly available resource containing searchable and sortable information on public company shareholder proposals.
We have to do better on CEO compensation or it will be the undoing of business.
Money isn’t the great motivator people often suppose. In fact, excessive monetary rewards can lead to bad behaviors.
Chief Executive Group recently conducted a groundbreaking study of the compensation practices of private companies with revenues of $5 million to $5 billion. In our last issue, we provided some of the highlights about CEO compensation practices. This charticle focuses on some of the key findings related to other senior executives.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
