EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CLASS CASE

Green Loaf Grocery Executive Compensation Class Case

Compensation Proposal Development

From the onset, it would be prudent to note that there are a wide range of factors that influence the compensation package of the various employees of a firm, including top executives. These factors are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; the performance of the company (i.e. with regard to the bottom-line), the various labor laws or regulations in place governing employee compensation (i.e. workers compensation laws), employment market forces, the strategic objectives of an enterprise, etc. (Ellig, 2014). These are some of the factors that ought to be considered in the design and implementation of a competitive compensation package.

In seeking to develop an ideal package in the present scenario, there are a number of factors that are unique to Greenleaf Grocery that will be taken into consideration. These have been highlighted below.

i. The need to ensure that the CEO, Jack Lawrence, is motivated enough to stay with the company: To a large extent, the current CEO has been instrumental in efforts to further promote the growth of the company. More specifically, as has been indicated in the case, he has managed to not only grow the number of stores (from 62 - 118), but he has also increased the companys profitability (Cox and Crocker, 2018). The company also needs Jack in his role as CEO for the successful execution of its midterm goals, i.e. over the next 5 years, especially as it seeks to pursue an initial public offering (IPO.)

ii. Competitors compensation package for the position of CEO: There would also be need to take into consideration just how much competitors of Greenleaf Grocery pay their CEOs. The intention in this case is not to copy-paste what is advanced by the said competitors, but to guide deliberations on the ideal package.

iii. The performance of Greenleaf Grocery: There would also be need to factor in the present performance of the enterprise and whether the compensation package would be in line with the present earning potential of the company.

iv. The salary and benefits package of other employees: It would be prudent to note that in the present scenario, the other employees of the firm have in the past raised concern over the difference between the average workers salary and Jacks salary. This is a factor that cannot be ignored owing to the fact that it has the potential to negatively impact employee motivation going forward.

v. Concerns of other Stakeholders: The other key stakeholders whose opinions ought to...…the company has been criticized by both die-hard customers and employees about its move to deviate from the family firm roots that it was originally founded upon. In seeking to ensure that there is no backlash from what could be seen as excessive compensation plan in some quarters, the relevance of an effective communication and engagement plan cannot be overstated.

In essence, there will be need to actively engage the relevant stakeholders and ensure that they embrace the need to undertake the changes highlighted above relating to compensation if the company is to continue being relevant in an increasingly competitive business environment. Efforts should be made to ensure that shareholders and employees are well aware of the fact that their future wellbeing is directly tied to the performance of the company going forward. Owing to the increased competition in the organic grocer segment, the company will need to morph into a more competitive enterprise. This cannot be accomplished without engaging a competent cast of executives and following a more aggressive strategic path. In as far as the customers of the company are concerned, i.e. those who would rather the company maintains its more conservative look, there will be need to ensure that they are aware of the fact that their needs (i.e. competitive prices) will be…