Comments on: The dreaded signing bonus is back

By: David

David — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:32:38 +0000

Interesting article. I wonder if this is still the case one year later!?

By: Amy Vernetti

Amy Vernetti — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:23:28 +0000

Michael,

Thanks for your comments. I actually agree with you and I apologize for referring to “rank and file”. That’s an outdated phrase that does not properly reflect the critical role of tech employees in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. However, it’s probably important to point out that developers in Silicon Valley are VERY highly respected and pretty well compensated also. It seems that most of them are content to build great products and stay away from the management BS that the executives have to deal with. But, I’m not justifying inordinately high compensation with tolerance for BS. Remember, I agree with you and your point is well taken.
Thanks for the comments.

By: Michael 2

Michael 2 — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:55:27 +0000

I agree with Michael. Theese execs are building wealth on the backs of the people that do the hard work of implementation.

Share the wealth. Techs are tired of this BS attitude from some kid out of Oxford that couldn’t read a line of code if they had to.

Techs are smarter now. The fact that you call lead developers the “rank and file” shows how misplaced the market is when it comes to recognizing the people that make the company a success. Remember, in the end you still have to have a product.

By: Ted Malone

Ted Malone — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:36:49 +0000

Nice writeup Amy.

Good news for executives, but not so good news for early-stage companies.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 22:33:50 +0000

Bubble. are you kidding.

it takes $140K+ to own a house and run it in the silicon valley

get real. thats with $0 savings.

tech people are just sick of being underpaid and a bit angry to be frank.

they are asking for part of the bottom line that the execs and stockholders get.

reality

By: Richard Smalls

Richard Smalls — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:29:28 +0000

Bring on the bubble!!

By: Yohay

Yohay — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 13:28:59 +0000

All these stories sound very bubblish. Except the solid stock markets, everything else is steam hot. The job market described here and the big money raised by start ups, are, at least for me, signs of a bubble.

By: Salvatore Sole

Salvatore Sole — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:54:28 +0000

Amy – Thanks for pointing out the the employee market is really starting to pick up again. We are seeing this on Wall St as well!

By: courtney benson

courtney benson — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:54:46 +0000

This is great news for all of us in the technology industry and especially for those that are great executors. Hopefully, we will learn from the past and not let compensation get out of hand.

By: Noel

Noel — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:17:46 +0000

Great article and good point about cash. A recent candidate with multiple offers chose the package weighted towards cash versus the offers weighted toward stock. In the end, it was the cash that drove the deal.

By: Donald Kingsborough

Donald Kingsborough — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:02:09 +0000

Amy, You article is very helpful to me. As CEO of a big start up, I sometimes forget how competitive it is for the “right talent”. Your article helps me keep my perspective. Talent is my limiting factor and getting the right talent is my best chance to build a great company. Thanks again for the perspective and the examples.

By: VIABUZZ

VIABUZZ — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:39:19 +0000

Great article! I’m going to make sure none of my partners and employees see this:)

By: jennifer jones

jennifer jones — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 06:55:03 +0000

Amy, great perspsective. Glad to hear the market is up for candidates. It makes everyone’s life much better when there are more jobs. Also glad to see you are blogging.

By: Mitch Williams

Mitch Williams — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:35:39 +0000

Amy,

I think you are correct that demand has picked up dramatically over the last couple of years…as a current VP Sales candidate, I find myself considering six different opportunities that have passively surfaced over the last sixty days. However, I do remain sceptical about the wisdom and necessity of venture backed, early stage companies paying signing bonuses. I’d prefer to see realistic operating plans that are achieveable and Boards that are realistic in their growth objectives and willing to pay for performance. The next thing you know we’ll have sales reps looking for signing bonuses again…please.

By: Michael Kreizenbeck

Michael Kreizenbeck — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 23:48:05 +0000

I like attutude of the CEO in the “foxhole.” It was a lavish offer and with such terms the wavering seemed like a sign of weakness since it must have had something to do with sentimental attachments. The part that strikes me as a little crazy is that those generous terms were not driven, at least in this anecdotal case, by a weak talent supply. If this is typical, it is inflationary. Are these, the first signs of the return of the signing bonus, driven by anxious pre-IPO companies (again); or, across-the-board demand for talent? Either way your message is an important heads-up to executive talent and those seeking it.