Comments on: We’re All Compensation Consultants Now, Dog

By: Ani

Ani — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:03:21 +0000

While the NY Times journalist is clearly not a compensation consultant, he did provide some rationale behind the point of view he presented. I was disappointed both by your post & the comment string. It also seemed that everyone commenting here is an HR/ Comp person who felt threatened particularly by the statement about getting rid of comp. consultants. Almost all the comments attacked journalism as a profession rather than providing a thoughtful rebuttal or a rationale for keeping comp consultant.

You guys are smarter than that!

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:52:29 +0000

Hi Malcom…you bet, everyone is an “expert” now.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:51:58 +0000

It's funny how it's okay that journos (I used to be one) think it's okay to play in other peoples' spaces. Comp work takes a lot of research, preparation, and responsibility. It's weird to see so many people trying to practice compensation without a license.

By: Bubba

Bubba — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:43:15 +0000

As a practicing comp consultant and aspiring writer, I would love to explore the profundities and depth of thought in both the analysis and the prose. I can do math with the best of them and, I would offer, that there is quite a bit more to it than that! Like, you know, research and stuff…tax and accounting and all kinds of legalisms. Journalists are generally envious of anyone who makes more than they do (Insurance Agents, Car Salespeople., Customer Service Reps, Sanitary Workers, Police, Nurses) because they work so hard. Not to degrade anyone's occupation, mind you, but any journalist's views on executive pay should be suspected as being inherently biased.

By: Malcolm Chlan

Malcolm Chlan — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:39:51 +0000

With the amount of people out of work right now I think we will be seeing a great deal of “experts” popping up in all industries.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:47:38 +0000

Hi Nancy,

That's the rub, isn't it? I guess, as Lance said, it's okay for a journalist to be a comp designer…how about the other way around? No quals necessary. Everyone thinks they can do it…being a small business owner, I live and breath that situation daily as we grow…and we see it lots with our clients. I like your question very much…I'd like to hear how they'd answer that one.

By: Nancy King

Nancy King — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:58:29 +0000

There's the pay scale and then there's “What you will have to pay the very talented person you want with the special critical skills you said you have to have now.'

By: rick

rick — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:46:50 +0000

Frank,

Well played.

By: Frank

Frank — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:57:36 +0000

Lance, that is a beauty…really great stuff…you're right…journo writes that…wonder how they'd like reciprocation.

By: lancehaun

lancehaun — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:38:42 +0000

Frank,

Suppose I just pulled figures out of thin air and then tried to make a point with the made up figures.

Could I get a gig as a writer for the best known paper in the US?

I suppose that in a world full suppositions, anything is possible! How exciting!