What We’re Thinking About

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QuickTakes

Brief perspectives on emerging ideas

What We’re Thinking About

July 2026

Three topics stood out in our most recent internal discussion: the broadening perspective on peer groups and talent markets, growing prevalence of targeted retention awards, and the current effect of AI on pay design and human capital economics. We continue exploring and welcome dialogue about these and other topics we're tracking.

July 28, 2026 QuickTakes
Human Capital ManagementExecutive & Director Pay Design

What We’re Thinking About

June 2026

The environment surrounding executive compensation is becoming harder to interpret. Regulations are evolving, shareholder expectations are diverging, economic signals are mixed, and the geopolitical landscape is volatile. 

June 24, 2026 QuickTakes
Human Capital ManagementExecutive & Director Pay Design

Equity Grant Timing

Taking A Closer Look at Your Grant Practices

It would be prudent for companies to look closer at their equity grant practices and policies and, where they have not done so already, adopt policies providing for grants during “open windows.”

June 28, 2023 QuickTakes
Executive & Director Pay Design

Attracting Tech Talent to Non-Tech Companies

5 Ideas for Boards & Management

Non-tech companies often need help when hiring and keeping tech-savvy talent. Semler Brossy’s leadership group recently discussed what strategies non-tech companies could use to build their tech organization.

May 11, 2023 QuickTakes
Human Capital ManagementExecutive & Director Pay Design

Six Key Topics for Compensation Committees

2022 Insights and Priorities for 2023

As companies finish the 2022 compensation season and prepare for 2023, we highlight top-of-mind topics for compensation committee members, questions to ask, and related resources.

November 4, 2022 QuickTakes
Emerging IssuesHuman Capital ManagementExecutive & Director Pay Design

Adjusting Equity Grant Practices to Respond to Stock Price Volatility

We have observed several different approaches to manage "burn rates" and preserve share authorizations.

November 4, 2022 QuickTakes
Emerging IssuesExecutive & Director Pay Design

SEC Adopts Compensation Recovery Listing Standards and Disclosure Rules

Here's a quick summary of some highlights of the rule, focusing on changes from the proposed rule.

October 26, 2022 QuickTakes
Executive & Director Pay Design

Don’t Touch That Dial

Long-Term Equity Compensation Works Best When You Allow it to Live up to its Name

When the market faces changes, many boards start considering adjustments to their long-term compensation programs - but sticking to the existing program generally creates more wealth for executives.

May 4, 2022 QuickTakes
Emerging Issues

Four Principles to the Application of Board Discretion

In these times of volatile national and global markets, caused by Covid and more recently by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, companies have tried to delay goal setting while waiting for more certainty. However, these efforts are often futile as the year wears on and certainty continues to be in the future. 

March 22, 2022 QuickTakes
Emerging Issues

Should Increasing CPI Result in Higher Compensation?

A big issue facing businesses is whether inflation should lead to higher levels of compensation. The answer is: “it depends.”  

January 21, 2022 QuickTakes
Executive & Director Pay Design

Simple Rules for Including ESG In Incentives

Beyond Materiality

There is general agreement that this means that the company should have the competencies and resources to make a material, positive impact on the ESG issue of concern.

October 7, 2021 QuickTakes
Human Capital Management

The Evolving Disclosure of Human Capital

When approached strategically, a focus on HCM can help companies develop the agile, innovative, and engaged workforce critical to differentiation and meeting strategic goals.  

September 21, 2021 QuickTakes
Human Capital Management

Shareholder and Stakeholder Interests Are Aligned

Many have long maintained that in the long run, investing in stakeholders is good for shareholders— and that stakeholders and shareholders are not an either/or proposition, but rather a both/and proposition where addressing stakeholders leads to better long-term shareholder returns.

August 17, 2021 QuickTakes
Shareholder Voting, SOP, and Proxy Results

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