Who's Running the Store?

I propose a new rule this year.

For all CEO's, CFO's, COO's and anybody who gets a big bonus tied to how much profit they make... here's my new deal.

If the company they run loses money, they get no bonus. None. Nothing whatsoever. Not even a free cup of coffee in the breakroom.

I'd like to suggest they give back money, too, but nobody ever seems able to enforce that. So I'll keep it simple. If the company under your direction doesn't make money, you don't get money above your salary.

Since most of the folks running these companies seem to have exorbitant salaries, I am guessing they can live within their means.

And no stock options either. What do you need with stock in a company that you're running into the ground anyway?

Nope, that's end. End of gravy train. Remember when Lee Iacocca ran Chrysler? He boiled it down nicely when he said, "In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product, and profits."

Of course he also said, "The trick is to make sure you don't die waiting for prosperity to come."

That may be the more salient point at the moment.