| Author | Message | ||
     Pcmodeler |
This was posted today on a site I visit on financial statements/etc. for various companies. Born to be wild? May 9th, 2006 Attracting directors at Harley Davidson (HDI) just got a bit easier, thanks to what appears to be a new policy disclosed in this (http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/793952/000089706906001240/cmw2163.htm) 8-K filed on Friday. In addition to the $100K annual retainer and newly introduced 1,000 share units that are convertible into the company stock when the director either leaves the board or there is a change in control, the company now provides Harleys to directors and throws in a tax gross-up to cover the cost of the motorcycle. Though it’s not clear from the filing whether the bike is just a loaner — the filing simply says "the use of a motorcycle…including some personal use" — there’s probably a long-line of people who would be willing to sit through some board meetings for this particular perk. | ||
| Mikej |
I'd sit through a board meeting without the bike for $100,000/year. | ||
| Court |
Most "free" things are much pricier than they appear. Frankly, $100,000 is likely (entirely my opinion based on a couple folks I know) pretty "cheap". Motorcycles are the least expensive currency a motorcycle company has. In addition, just think if the folks were working on a "performance based" system. .. it'd take a lot more than 100 "Large" and a bike. I had a good friend at HD and I think the best summary I ever heard of his performance is when one of the Union guys on the line told me . . "at $2.3M a year, that guy is underpaid". If you are at Homecoming, "THE BUELL 2006 PINK HAT FESTIVAL" ask me to tell you the story of "the smaller box". Court P.S. - Insiders will read this, chuckle and think back on Clyde Fesler. | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.internationalspeakers.com/speakers/ISBB-5MPSPE/Clyde_Fessler/ | ||
| Court |
Mike: If you are at the BUELL 2006 PINK HAT FESTIVAL and you have a pink hat, I'll tell you. . . as Paul Harvey says. . "the rest of the story".  | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I agree that, given the cost of a bike, it's not a huge expense....however, I always get a kick out of these CEO perks.....Here are guys making more a week than most of us make a year and not only are they being given free stuff that they could easily afford, but the new trend is for the company to also pay the TAXES on that stuff. | ||
| Mikej |
Regretfully I will only be able to possibly make it up to Appleton for part of Friday late afternoon. Still haven't wrapped my mind around a pink hat unless I can get it signed by a bunch of folks and then auction it off and donate the proceeds to the air fence fund. I've been around a bunch of business folks enough in the past though to have a pretty good idea of what the story might entail, and no doubt it will be a very fine story should a faded red hat somehow wind up on my head.  | ||
| Bomber |
while there are high-paid exec who don't earn their pay, the vast majority of my experience is similar to that of Court's buddy -- those cats do jobs that I wouldn't for the dough (and perks) they get ... the good ones are unaffordable by any fiscal measure | ||
| Court |
>>>>the good ones are unaffordable by any fiscal measure And the GREAT ones would do it for free. If you love your work...you won't "work" a day in your life. | ||
| Road_thing |
Well, the GREAT ones (with trust funds or other sources of independent financial security) might do it for free, but some of us need to earn a living! rt ...in my next life, I'm choosing a richer set of parents! (Message edited by road_thing on May 09, 2006) | ||
| Rex |
see everyone there. REX I don't see where you have to register anywhere. How does buell know how many people are coming? rex | ||
| Seanp |
I disagree, Court. I love my work, I love my profession, but there are definitely days that I work and I don't love it so much, and also days where I don't do much of anything, but due to my co-workers or supervisors, hate it. On the other hand, there are days where I work and love it. Where I'm sweaty and tired and dirty and maybe a bit bloody. But I loved it. I could love it a lot more for $100,000, (and a free bike) but that's not very likely in this profession. | ||
| Court |
Sean: Right you are and we DO agree. I've been lucky to spend years doing stuff I loved that's allowed me to climb tall things, spend time 4-wheeling through some of the prettiest parts of this country, getting paid to run miles up on motorcycles, write and build HUGE things. I thought about retiring at 52 like my Dad did but I can't imagine doing anything much more fun than I am doing now! You bet it has "it's days", but heck...that's life. Off to Lawrence, KS to check out some restaurant called "Pacadermias" or something....tough work this week! Enjoy and keep your head down! Court | ||
| Shea |
Court, but don't you agree that work is less miserable and seems to have less of "those days" when you know that you don't have to be there? I noticed that ta another job. I love the job, but I think some of it is because I know that I don't have to be there. | ||
| Bomber |
having options and choices is a major contributor to smiles, I think |
