Four factors in the past few years have had a significant affect on how public corporations think about and communicate executive compensation in their proxy statements' Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A).
First, in 2007, the SEC released a report of its review of proxy statements stating that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) section must help shareholders understand the company's compensation decisions and policies. In addition, the report emphasized that "the Read more [...]
How to Break Bad News to Clients
(Excerpt)
Problems and mistakes are common during any project, so how you handle them is the true test of your mettle. "(Small business owners) are human beings dealing with other human beings," says Deborah Bosley, owner of the Plain Language Group, a communications consulting firm. “It’s not business to business; it’s people to people.”
Read the full article Read more [...]
By Kathleen Koster in Employee Benefits News -
After featuring EBN readers' pet peeves for HR and benefits communication in a slide show, we went to the experts for advice on improving HR communication strategy and techniques.
To employees' ears, terms like "tax-sheltered annuities" and "FSA" may sound closer to gibberish than benefits phrases. HR professionals are often so close to 401(k) plan details or busy implementing behind-the-scenes health reform requirements that they forget not everyone Read more [...]
When it comes to benefits communications, plain vanilla is the best way to go
By Andrea Davis
In a world of information overload, employers can struggle to get their benefits messages heard and, perhaps more importantly, understood. Last October, President Obama signed into law the Plain Writing Act, which calls for communications from the federal government that are clear, concise and well-organized. By Oct. 13, 2011, federal agencies must use plain language in any document that is necessary Read more [...]
From: Investment Adviser Association Newsletter
by Dr. Deborah S. Bosley -
Advisers are concerned about the new requirements for plain language narratives in their brochure. They worry about added expenses, the time spent on compliance, what plain language is, etc. Meeting the requirements provides advisers a chance to build relationships with clients and prospects, and quell the public’s feeling that the financial services industry provides more doubletalk than straight talk.
Although Read more [...]
On September 27, 2010, the Plain Writing Act was unanimously passed by the Senate, sent back to the House for reconciliation (the House passed the bill in March), and is now headed for signature by President Obama. The bill requires the federal government to write documents, such as tax returns, federal college aid applications, and Veterans Administration forms in simple language.
“This bill helps all citizens by providing government information in plain language – using proven writing and Read more [...]
New 'plain language' rules for Form ADV give advisers a chance to stand out
By Deborah S. Bosley and Libby Dubick
Despite the government's best efforts, new regulations sometimes end up serving no
one. The regulated parties see their costs go up, yet the public remains no wiser or
better-protected.
Investment advisers fear that this will be the case with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's unanimous decision to change requirements for Part 2 of the Form ADV
— the document Read more [...]
IA Watch -
After you type that final period into your Form ADV, Part 2 brochure, assemble a focus group of 3-4 clients and ask for their feedback. "Test the document with members of the intended readership," suggests Deborah Bosley, an associate professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. "That will flag where people have problems understanding."
You could hold a group meeting or individually work with each tester, prepare questions in advance - such as where Read more [...]
“Dr. Bosley’s knowledge of legal requirements for plain language is deep. She has been an excellent resource for several articles about employee benefits.”
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