P-MAN: I respect what you say---however, the partnership ethic went out the door the day we went public. What kind of partnership rewards some partners with a "special" incentive plan (LTIP) in addition to MIP? Calling someone a partner nowadays usually means you need something from them quickly and unplanned, as in "hey partner, can you do me a solid?"
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Ramsey, the practice of varying rewards at different levels has been around since Casey's day and has evolved many times.
First stock was only offered to a select few. Then MIP for managers and avove only. Then to Supervisors, with managers and above getting double.
Stock options go to grade 18's and above. That's changed multiple times with different awards at different levels.
Now LTIP for grade 20's and above.
Each of these awards are designed to give more deferred compensation to the higher grade levels. They are meant to encourage those individuals to stay longer with the company and to reward the meeting of goals that grow the company stock.
Each of the LTIP elements are tied to indices that the market cares about.
The thought is that those very senior managers should work toward items that grow the stock and in turn they would be rewarded.
So, in my mind, partnership is NOT dead. Its alive because I discuss it daily with my people, and walk the talk. They preach partnership and walk the talk.
Its your turn. Are you going to let partnership die? Do you walk the talk?
P-Man