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Unlocking ISS' New CEO Pay for Performance Assessments
February 2, 2012
On the heels of making voting policy changes for 2012, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) also announced significant updates to its process for assessing the alignment of CEO pay and performance. Having reviewed the changes, Radford Consulting shares its view on how the tests are built and how they can be modeled. [Read on] -
ISS Releases New Burn Rate Cap Tables for 2012
January 27, 2012
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) recently released an updated set of industry burn rate caps for 2012. The new caps, effective for shareholder meetings on or after February 1, cover both Russell 3000 and non-Russell 3000 companies in all industries. [Read on] -
ISS Corporate Governance Updates for 2012
An Overview of Key ISS Policy Changes for US-Based Companies Ahead of Proxy Season
December 1, 2011
Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has released its final set of corporate governance policies for 2012, and the latest round of updates focus on fine-tuning CEO pay-for-performance tests and incorporating say-on-pay results into future recommendations. [Read on] -
Radford Pre-IPO Research Summary
Compensation Practices at Recently Public Companies in the Technology and Life Sciences Sectors (Through Mid-2011)
October 20, 2011
This article, covering such items as the adoption of new, more flexible equity incentive plans, changes to pre- and post-IPO equity overhang rates, the creation of broad-based employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), and adjustments to executive officer compensation, summarizes our latest compensation research findings for pre-IPO/venture-backed companies. [Read on] -
The Final Tally: 2011 Say-On-Pay Results and Trends
August 1, 2011
In this Radford Review, the Radford Consulting team addresses lessons from the last proxy season in great detail, examining overall say-on-pay voting trends and specific results in the high technology and life sciences sectors. [Read on] -
Roadmap to an Initial Public Offering
Executive Compensation Fundamentals for Venture-Backed and Pre-IPO Companies in Technology and Life Sciences
June 2011
This Radford Review examines several executive compensation fundamentals for pre-IPO firms in the technology and life sciences industries - topics including the formation of an over-arching compensation philosophy, developing peer groups, and how best to balance compensation risks and rewards ahead of an IPO. [Read on] -
Early Reactions to Say on Pay Recommendations from ISS
May 13, 2011
This Radford Alert provides a summary of early ISS voting recommendations, discusses some of the unique say-on-pay challenges faced by technology and life sciences companies, and considers the various pay-for-performance "cures" currently provided by ISS. [Read on] -
Pre-IPO/Venture-Backed Pay Planning
Getting Your Startup's Compensation House in Order
March 2011
This Radford Review is meant to provide a compensation roadmap for private, venture-backed companies oriented toward a sale of the company or for an initial public offering (IPO), and is based on Radford's extensive consulting experience assisting clients as they navigate the startup path. [Read on] -
Say on Pay and Its Impact
February 23, 2011
This Radford Review focuses on the near-term considerations for companies approaching their first shareholder say on pay voting cycle, and the potential changes set into motion in the wake of those votes. [Read on] -
SEC Adopts Say on Pay Rules
February 1, 2011
The SEC has adopted final rules on say on pay (SOP) and the frequency of SOP shareholder votes. A non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation is required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Companies must also include a proposal asking shareholders to vote on how often they would like to vote on SOP. Choices are annual, every other year or once every three years. This Radford Alert reviews the rules and their implications. [Read on]
Research Archive
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Performance-Based Equity Practices Within Large Biopharma
January 20, 2011
This Radford White Paper examines current trends in performance-based equity among larger biotechnology firms, provides an examination of the critical factors in adopting performance-based plans and presents Radford's perspective on the issues that must be addressed to maximize the effectiveness of these plans within a total rewards strategy. [Read on] -
ISS' 2011 Burn Rate Limits
December 22, 2010
In follow-up to the November release of its 2011 Policy Updates, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) issued its updated burn rate tables. This Radford Alert provides the new burn rates for technology and life sciences companies. [Read on] -
2011 ISS Policy Updates
December 9, 2010
Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (ISS) released its US Corporate Governance Policy – 2011 Updates. The updates related to ISS's policies on Management Say on Pay (MSOP) proposal frequency, Problematic Pay Practices policy, and equity-based compensation plans are summarized within this Radford Alert. [Read on] -
Dodd-Frank Act: The Importance of Putting CEO Pay Multiples into Context
November 16, 2010
Radford research shows that focusing solely on the CEO pay ratio itself can cloud the reality of the business and industry drivers behind it. This white paper covers the results of our research and provides companies a set of guidelines for beginning the process of calculating and communicating the ratio. [Read on] -
SEC Issues Proposed Rules for Shareholder Say on Pay
November 11, 2010
This Radford Alert covers the SEC's recently released proposed regulations covering Say-on-Pay legislation passed as part of the Dodd-Frank act earlier this year. [Read on] -
SEC Issues Timeline for Dodd-Frank Regulation Implementation Process
September 24, 2010
The SEC has announced its schedule for implementing the Dodd-Frank legislation. To the surprise of many, most of the new rules apparently will not be in place in time for the 2011 proxy season. [Read on] - The Post-Reform World: What Compensation Committees Can Do Now to Prepare for 2011
July 15, 2010
With the passage of some of the most sweeping financial reform legislation since the Great Depression - in the form of the Dodd-Frank bill - the rules surrounding executive compensation and governance have become more pervasive and concrete. [Read on] -
Executive Compensation Governance Reforms – How Legislative Proposals Stack Up
June 07, 2010
With the Senate's May 20, 2010, passage of executive compensation and corporate governance reform legislation, two separate but similar bills are in front of Congress. This Alert compares the two pieces of legislation, and shares Radford's observation on the impact the reforms could have on companies. [Read on] -
RiskMetrics Group Launches New Governance Rating Indicators (GRId)
March 25, 2010
RiskMetrics Group Launches New Governance Rating Indicators (GRId) [Read on] -
New England 100 Executive Compensation Practices
January 26, 2010
In the fall of 2009, Radford analyzed proxy data for the 48 largest technology and 52 largest life sciences companies (by revenue) headquartered in New England to examine executive pay practices. This summary covers the highlights of those findings, as well as comparisons to previous fiscal year pay practices. proxy, technology, life sciences, New England, revenue, executive, pay, practices, incentive, equity, vehicle, target, actual, ownership, total direct pay, shareholder return. [Read on] -
Silicon Valley 100 Executive Compensation Practices
January 13, 2010
In the fall of 2009, Radford analyzed proxy data for 100 of the largest technology companies headquartered in Silicon Valley to examine executive pay increases. This executive summary covers the highlights of those findings, as well as comparisons to previous fiscal year pay practices. proxy, Silicon Valley, technology, executive, pay, practices, compensation, CEO, incentive, pay, mix, equity, vehicle, Top 5, NEOs, component details. [Read on] - December 21, 2009
SEC Adds New Compensation Disclosures Requirements [Read on] - November 24, 2009
Risk Metrics Group Updates Annual Proxy Voting Policies and Processes for 2010 [Read on] - August 3, 2009
Underwater Option Exchanges: Navigating Through FAS123(R) and Type I Through Type IV Accounting [Read on] - July 20, 2009
SEC Proposed Changes Seek to Enhance Visibility into Compensation Decision Processes [Read on] - April 2, 2009
Clarification of Compensation Restrictions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 [Read on] - February 17, 2009
Accelerated Vesting of Underwater Options: Understanding or Discovering the Hidden Accounting [Read on]
Back to topIn the News
- Vistage Connect
January 2012
In this contributed article, Radford's Ken Wechsler and Alexander Cwirko-Godycki discuss many of the important decision points executives and Boards of Directors face when developing a compensation philosophy. [Read on] - Workforce Management
December 2011
Radford Vice President Brett Harsen provides commentary on the challenges faced by recently public companies as they seek to retain key employees after an IPO. Beyond compensation, companies should also plan ahead for post-offering management training, career path development and HR systems. [Read on] - The Wall Street Journal
November 2011
As mobile and social gaming grow in prominence, hiring in the sector is also gaining steam. In this Wall Street Journal story on the rising tide of gaming company investments, Radford provides new data on the hiring outlook for gaming and entertainment companies in the technology sector. [Read on] - Human Resource Executive Magazine
October 2011
Radford Vice President Brett Harsen discusses the challenges of implementing global leveling systems for job titles and compensation on the heels of a new study showing more companies are moving to adopt such global standards. [Read on] - The Conference Board Review
August 2011
Radford President Linda Amuso and other industry leaders discuss trends in executive compensation below the CEO level, addressing issues like internal pay equity, corporate culture and investor scrutiny of pay programs. [Read on] - The Recorder
August 2011
Radford Vice President Brett Harsen discusses the latest trends in equity compensation at pre-IPO firms in Silicon Valley, particularly the move by a few large companies to consider the use of restricted stock while still private. [Read on] - Talent Management Magazine
March 2011
Radford Senior Vice President Ted Buyniski discusses best practices in executive compensation. [Read on] - Bloomberg Businessweek
March 2011
Radford data is highlighted in this article about talent poaching among technology companies. [Read on]
Articles Archive
- Agenda
October 2010
Senior Vice President Terry Adamson is interviewed for Agenda's article regarding pay metrics.
[Read on] - WorldatWork
April 2010
Written by Vice President Jon Burg and Vice President Brett Harsen for WorldatWork's Compensation Focus. The article examines lessons learned in the aftermath of the numerous underwater exchanges that took place in 2009, looking at both shareholder and employee responses to the programs.
[Read on] - San Jose Mercury News
January 3, 2010
Vice President Brett Harsen is interviewed for this front page San Jose Mercury News article that discusses the current state and future of stock option use by technology companies in Silicon Valley
[Read on] - Agenda
November 18, 2009
Vice President Brett Harsen discusses how Risk Metrics' changing guidance caused some companies to cancel or revise their repricing plans
[Read on] - The Recorder
August 31, 2009
Vice President Jon Burg gives a consulting perspective of the current state of underwater exchange programs for The Recorder, a California legal publication
[Read on] - Agenda
August 10, 2009
Vice Presidents Jon Burg and Brett Harsen discuss how Boards can address underwater options in today's environment with this comprehensive by-lined article for Agenda
[Read on] - Workforce Management
August 5, 2009
Vice President Brett Harsen is interviewed for this article discussing the growing number of employers that are allowing employees to exchange underwater options via underwater exchange programs
[Read on] - Human Resources Magazine, Hong Kong
June 2009
In this June issue of Human Resources Magazine, Hong Kong, regular contributor Vice President Marie Brinkman and Vice President David Knopping review the compensation strategies that companies should consider following reports of an economic uptick
[Read on] - Agenda
June 22, 2009
Senior Vice President Matt Ward and Vice President Brett Harsen provide commentary for the Financial Times' online publication Agenda which discusses the expected increase in option exchanges this fall
[Read on] - The NASPP Advisor
May-June 2009
In this Q&A article for NASPP's The NASPP Advisor Senior Vice President Terry Adamson talks about how companies are currently approaching the process of valuing their employee stock options
[Read on] - Singapore Business Times
April 10, 2009
Vice President Marie Brinkman discusses the difference between the current economic downturn and recessions in the past and how employers are focusing on retaining employees
[Read on] - Human Resources Magazine, Hong Kong
April 1, 2009
In this by-lined article, regular contributor Vice President Marie Brinkman discusses the difference of the current economic downturn to recessions in the past and how employers are focusing on retaining employees
[Read on] - Bloomberg
March 23, 2009
Vice President Brett Harsen is interviewed for this article that looks at companies that have proposed or completed plans to exchange underwater stock options in order to increase employees' chances of making a profit
[Read on] - Austin Business Journal
January 2, 2009
Radford's latest research from its Quarterly Summary of Industry Trends report is cited in this article discussing the future of the technology industry's workforce
[Read on] - Corporate Board Member
January
Radford's Vice President Brett Harsen is quoted in this article discussing the practice of repricing stock options
[Read on] - San Francisco Business Times
December 24, 2008
Radford's quarterly summary of industry trends report revealed the drastic measures companies are making in response to the economic downturn
[Read on] - Wall Street Journal
December 22, 2008
Vice President Brett Harsen is interviewed for this Wall Street Journal article discussing how companies are executing their own bailouts for holders of worthless stock options
[Read on] - StockSense Newsletter
December 16, 2008
Fidelity's StockSense newsletter recently spoke with Senior Vice President Terry Adamson and Vice President Brett Harsen for their insights into how companies should go about structuring an underwater options exchange program [Read on] - Workforce Management
December 15, 2008
Senior Vice President Terry Adamson talks about the increasing number of companies considering underwater exchange programs [Read on] - San Jose Mercury News
December 7, 2008
Vice President Brett Harsen is quoted in this front page article discussing falling stock prices in Silicon Valley
[Read on] - InvestmentNews.com
December 7, 2008
Radford data is included in this story about underwater stock options
[Read on] - Wall Street Journal
November 10, 2008
Vice President Brett Harsen is interviewed for this Wall Street Journal article discussing shareholders' role in stock option repricings and exchanges
[Read on] - Human Resources Magazine, Hong Kong
November 1, 2008
Vice President Marie Brinkman and Aon Consulting's Principal Consultant Rick Payne author this feature cover story discussing retention strategies for today's environment in Asia
[Read on]
October 10, 2008
Senior Vice President John Radford is interviewed for a Wall Street Journal article discussing the steps companies are taking to reward employees during these uncertain economic times
[Read on] - Pension & Benefits
September 30, 2008
Vice President Brett Harsen and Senior Vice President Terry Adamson discuss the three equity exchange programs that have gained ground, in light of underwater options
[Read on] - IOMA's Complete Guide to Best Practices in Pay for Performance
September 25, 2008
Senior Vice President Ed Speidel is interviewed for a section of IOMA's annual report entitled, IOMA's Complete Guide to Best Practices in Pay for Performance, discussing the importance of creating successful CD&As
[Read on] - Talent Management
September 9, 2008
Senior Vice Presidents Ted Buyniski and Ed Speidel, and Assistant Vice President Robert Surdel discuss CEO succession and compensation design in this feature story
[Read on] - Financial Week
August 25, 2008
Vice President Brett Harsen is interviewed for this article discussing underwater options and repricings
[Read on] - KQED Radio, San Francisco NPR Affiliate
July 11, 2008
Senior Vice President Steve Radford is interviewed for KQED's "Forum" segment on the trials, tribulations and joys of starting a business with a family member
[Listen] - Talent Management
July 1, 2008
Senior Vice President Ed Speidel is interviewed for this article on how companies have had to comply with SEC regulations [Read on] - Insurance Daily
July 1, 2008
Insurance Daily announces Linda E. Amuso's appointment to President
[Read on] - Human Resources Magazine, Hong Kong
May 1, 2008
Vice President Marie Brinkman discusses the major initiatives that companies in Asia are deploying to attract and retain workers in this by-lined front page feature
[Read on] - Canadian Underwriter Magazine
March 25, 2008
Senior Vice President Edward Speidel is quoted in this article about the challenges that boardrooms will face this year
[Read on] - Directors & Boards: Boardroom Briefings
Spring 2008
Edward Speidel and Robert Surdel examine governance practices and current trends in outside director compensation [Read on] - Workspan
February 1, 2008
This by-lined article by Vice President Tim Brown reveals the correlation between the number of ratings used in the pay-for-performance process and the actual size of the award [Read on] - The NASPP Advisor
January 23, 2008
News from Radford Advisory Services' Equity Trends Analysis is included in this NASPP newsletter article about stock option trends [Read on] - Corporate Secretary Magazine
January 1, 2008
Senior Vice President Edward Speidel is interviewed for this article on Succession Planning in Corporate Secretary magazine [Read on] - Workspan
November 15, 2007
Data from Radford's Quarterly Summary of Industry Trends Report is used in this Workspan article about technology salary budgets [Read on] - San Jose Mercury News
May 4, 2007
In this article regarding innovative transferable stock option programs, San Jose Mercury News features Zions Bancorporation's creative strategy in dealing with FAS 123(R) regulations as detailed in our latest webcast entitled, The Post-FAS 123(R) Frontiers of Equity Design - A Conversation with Google and Zions Bank [Read on] - Employee Benefit News
May 2, 2007
Senior Vice President Edward Speidel is interviewed in this Employee Benefits News article about the challenges of creating executive compensation packages [Read on] - Business Finance Magazine
April 1, 2007
Senior Vice President Ted Buyniski is interviewed for this feature cover story on best practices in compensation management [Read on] - Employee Benefit News
April 1, 2007
In this feature on performance-based compensation, Employee Benefit News magazine interviews Linda E. Amuso, senior vice president, for her thoughts on the trend toward variable pay plans as a means to effectively motivate and reward employees [Read on] - Various Publications
December 13, 2006
Senior Vice President Ted Buyniski offers commentary on Google's plans to allow employees to sell their stock options through an online auction
Bloomberg [Read on]
CNET [Read on]
Investor's Business Daily [Read on]
Los Angeles Times [Read on]
San Jose Mercury News [Read on]
The Money Times, India [Read on]
The New York Times [Read on]
The San Francisco Chronicle [Read on]
The Wall Street Journal [Read on]
- The Scientist
December 1, 2006
Magazine of the Life Sciences
In an interview with The Scientist magazine, Senior Vice President John Radford talks about what bonuses will look like in 2006 [Read on] - Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal
November 17, 2006
In this two-page feature, John and Steve Radford talk about founding a family business and keeping it growing for 30 years [Read on] - Multichannel News
October 16, 2006
Data for Radford's Overall Practices Report is used in this article about the use of restricted stock vs. full value shares [Read on] - The San Francisco Chronicle
August 27, 2006
Senior Vice President Linda E. Amuso provides commentary for this article about companies reassessing stock option grants [Read on] - The Wall Street Journal
August 01, 2006
Senior Vice President Linda E. Amuso is interviewed for this article about the revitalized technology market [Read on] - eWeek.com
July 25, 2006
Radford's Q2 Quarterly Summary of Industry Trends report data is used for this article about new turnover figures at technology companies [Read on]
News Releases
- October 24, 2011
Information Technology Association of Canada Partners with Aon Hewitt's Radford for Technology Compensation Data [Read on]
News Archive
- July 20, 2010
Salary Increases Return to Technology Sector, says Aon Consulting's Radford [Read on] - December 10, 2009
Alternative Energy Companies' Equity Compensation Practices Trail Those of Other High-Growth Industries, Says Aon Consulting's Radford [Read on] - October 13, 2009
Global Recession Hit US Salaries Hardest and Accelerated Equity Program Changes at Technology Companies, Says Aon Consulting's Radford [Read on] - September 23, 2009
Popularity of Relative Total Shareholder Return Incentive Programs Grows as Scrutiny of Compensation Practices Increases, Says Aon Consulting's Radford [Read on] - June 11, 2009
Bonus Payout Trends and Continuing Cost-Controls Reflect Challenging Business Climate, Says Aon Consulting's Radford [Read on] - February 09, 2009
Shareholders Demand Executive Exclusion, Value Neutrality in Underwater Stock Option Exchange Proposals, According to Aon Consulting's Radford Research [Read on] - September 22, 2008
Underwater Stock Option Repricings Resurge As Shareholder-Friendly Exchange Programs Evolve, Says Aon Consulting's Radford [Read on] - July 1, 2008
Linda E. Amuso Named President of Aon Consulting's Radford [Read on] - February 28, 2008
Companies Concerned with Divulging Proprietary Information in Complying with SEC Regulations, Says Aon's Radford [Read on] - November 15, 2007
Stock Options Continue to Dominate Technology Compensation, Despite Shrinking Grant Size, Says Aon's Radford [Read on] - November 14, 2007
Technology Salary Budgets Highest Level in Four Years, Says Aon's Radford [Read on] - September 5, 2007
Radford Introduces Radford Advisory Services, Bridging Deep Survey Databases With Consulting Expertise [Read on] - March 12, 2007
Radford Introduces Radford Valuation Services, Providing Best-in-Class Services for Expensing Stock Options and Alternative Equity Vehicles [Read on] - January 24, 2007
Radford's Q4 Quarterly Summary of Industry Trends Report Reveals Continued Hiring, Decreased Voluntary Turnover, and Tighter Expense Controls Among Trends in 2007 [Read on] - October 3, 2006
Radford Webcast Draws More Than 1,000 Registrants to Mid-Year Compensation Trends Webcast [Read on] - September 25, 2006
Radford Appoints New Vice President, Marie Brinkman, to Radford Consulting [Read on] - August 21, 2006
Radford's 2006 Overall Practices Report Reveals Restricted Stock Usage Increases for the Fourth Year in a Row [Read on] - July 14, 2006
Radford's Q2 Quarterly Trend Report Reveals Hiring on the Rise in Technology; Surprising Drop in Turnover Over the Last 12 Months Despite Anticipated Rise [Read on] - May 5, 2006
Radford Honored with Human Resources Innovator Award [Read on]
Click here to see footage of John and Steve Radford.
Event Calendar
- US West Coast
Bay Area Compensation Association
February 23, 2012
Location: San Francisco, California
Speaker: Matt Lopez, Senior Consultant
Topic: Attracting, Motivating, and Retaining Top Talent in the Bay Area
[Read more]
The National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP)
February 29, 2012
Location: San Diego, California
Speaker: Jon Burg, Vice President
Topic: The Second Year Of Say On Pay Under The Dodd-Frank Act
[Read more]
The Melita Group
March 6, 2012
Location: Santa Clara, California
Speaker: John Radford, Senior Vice President
Topic: Bay Area Compensation Trends
[Read more]
Tech America HR Forum
March 6, 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
[Read more]
The National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP)
March 14, 2012
Location: San Francisco, California
Speakers: Jon Burg, Vice President and David Knopping, Vice President
Topic: ISS Pay-for-Performance: Headache, Hassle, or No Big Deal?
[Read more]
Santa Clara University CEP Symposium
March 27, 2012
Location: Santa Clara, California
Speakers: Jon Burg, Vice President and Elizabeth Stoudt, Assistant Vice President
[Read more]
Stock and Option Solutions (SOS)
July 25, 2012
Location: Santa Clara, California
[Read more]
- US North East
Soliums Synergy Conference
April 29 - May 2, 2012, 2012
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Speakers: Terry Adamson, Senior Vice President and Jon Burg, Vice President
Topics: Is Relative TSR the Answer — Terry Adamson, Senior Vice President
Got Cash? Navigating the New Mark-to-Market Features in Express Options — Jon Burg, Vice President
[Read more]
- US Midwest
EASi Summit
March 7-9, 2012
Location: Austin, Texas
Speakers: Terry Adamson, Senior Vice President and Jon Burg, Vice President
Topic: Designing Plans You Can Manage
[Read more]
Media Relations Contacts
- Alex Cwirko-Godycki
+1 (415) 486-6973
acwirko@radford.com - Kelly Sparrer
+1 (408) 321-2584
ksparrer@radford.com
For questions on press releases or to arrange an interview, please contact Alex Cwirko-Godycki, +1 (415) 486-6973 or acwirko@radford.com.
Non-press related calls should be directed to +1 (408) 321-2500 or +1 (866) 431-4796.
