HR Policy Association is pleased to offer a twelve-hour course designed for HR executives seeking to develop a practical perspective on the role of the senior HR officer in overseeing the executive compensation function, the outside stakeholders that exert influence on it, and the vital role played by effective communications. The process of developing, communicating and implementing executive compensation packages is absorbing an increasing amount of time and resources for senior HR executives, corporate communications departments, and directors. At times, companies not fully respectful of the various forces in play generated by shareholder activists, institutional investors, labor organizations, regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, the media and others at times find themselves and their senior executives subject to criticism and attack. The purpose of this course is to provide those HR executives responsibility for executive compensation with a full understanding of the forces in play that will enable them to build strategies to avoid the potential pitfalls inherent in the discipline today.

This External Factors course is designed for HR executives, especially those who may be future potential candidates for the senior HR position, those recently appointed to that post, and others seeking to expand their knowledge. Using the latest version of HR Policy Association’s Executive Compensation Principles, the course focuses on developing a 360-degree view of the factors and stakeholders influencing and determining executive compensation. Participants will discuss:

• How policy makers, institutional investors, the media and enforcement agencies view executive compensation
  
• How to handle external influences on the corporation’s executive compensation programs
  
• How senior executives interface with the Board and Compensation Committee in setting executive pay
  
• How governance requirements and trends influence executive pay
  
• Effective disclosure and communication of the company’s executive compensation program to outside stakeholders, including the media
  
• Current trends and best practices in setting executive pay
  
• How to anticipate and respond to board and management questions on pay
  
• How to answer questions from shareholders and the public during annual meetings and other events
  

The course will be taught by the following persons:

• Michael D. Davis, former Executive Compensation Practice Leader for Towers Perrin and current Vice President of Human Resources, General Mills, Inc.
  
• Cynthia Hudson, a public relations and communications expert with over 20 years of experience in working with large companies.
  
• Timothy J. Bartl of the HR Policy Association.
  
  

Intended Audience

This advanced course is intended for HR executives with oversight or execution responsibility for executive compensation seeking a strategic perspective on executive compensation. Those interested in operational instruction on executive compensation are encouraged to review the executive compensation courses offered by WorldatWork.