Placing The Right Bet

1. Bill Whitlatch January 12, 2015 at 8:51 am Reply

   " A CEOs decision affects not only his or her company, but it affects investors, the economy and even the financial health of other nations. It’s a huge responsibility which may explain why they get their large salaries. " And, of course, the hard working people who are the employees, their families and thousands of local economies. "
   • Caroline Miller January 12, 2015 at 11:26 am Reply

     As a long time trade unionist, I can't argue with your observation that workers contribute much to the success of a company. But CEOs come in for a lot of criticism, particularly about thire salaries. Are they overcompensated? Maybe. But it's always good to look at the other side of the coin.
2. Susan Stoner January 12, 2015 at 12:07 pm Reply

   Sorry, I have to say I think they are WAY over compensated to a point of the amounts being obscene. They have excessive power in the choices you identified (although really, unnamed advisors probably do all the grunt work). I doubt they have anymore stress than the small businessman worrying about whether he's going to make payroll this month or have to lay people off. The heads of major corporations don't need more money. Their compensation needs to be capped! In my opinion, their excessive compensation messes with their heads and takes compassion out of their decisions.
   • Caroline Miller January 12, 2015 at 2:21 pm Reply

     Yes, so much money does probably mess with the heads of some CEO's. Yes, they are overpaid. But do their jobs involve decisions that affect more than themselves and their families and do those decisions ripple for good or ill around the globe? Yes they do. It's hard to feel sorry for billionaires, but they do have a story.
3. Janet January 12, 2015 at 1:20 pm Reply

   this post has driven me to reflect on my own "luck" in life. I do believe that many factors affect our luck. Long time steady investing a percentage of ones earnings should enable one to move into retirement relatively comfortably based on ones own definition of comfort. But there is also, in my opinion, a stroke or two (or three) of luck that allows us to move through the many stages of life, besides also making some right decisions over time. Well, shoot, I am now going to have to continue to reflect some more on the luck I have been blessed with along with the results of investments made over the years! I still think most CEO's are overpaid compared to salaries paid to the basic workerbees that make the cogs turn so the engine will run.
   • Caroline Miller January 12, 2015 at 2:18 pm Reply

     Yes, the CEO's are probably overpaid. No argument there. But a lot rides on their shoulders. More than most of us give time to think about. As I said elsewhere, sometimes it's good to turn the coin over and see the world from the other side.
4. Annie Stratton January 13, 2015 at 5:40 pm Reply

   Caroline, compared to large corporations in other countries, those in the US are hugely overpaid. And yet their CEOs make more massive mistakes (or deliberately short-sighted decisions), have poorer outcomes, and have a shorter tenure than executives worldwide. In addition, large mega-corporations an abysmal record when it comes to considering impacts on both local and national communities. I am having some trouble grasping the "other perspective" you are talking about. You bet they make huge decisions and have large responsibilities. That doesn't mean they are handling them well, And the oversize compensation packages are making that situation worse, Shareholders are rebelling. Yahoo is a case in point.
   • Caroline Miller January 13, 2015 at 5:58 pm Reply

     Well a difference of opinion makes a ballgame. I don't cry very much for CEOs but the theirs is no a cakewalk either.

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