Prudential Sets a New Standard for Communication with Shareholders

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Not only does Prudential Financial prove that the proxy can serve as an effective communication vehicle to shareholders while fulfilling its legal requirement, but the company has added a number of innovations that set a new standard for others.

It begins with the Letter from the Board of Directors to our Shareholders: “As stewards of the Company, we are committed to governing Prudential in an an effective and transparent manner.  We hold ourselves to high standards with respect to governance “best practices” and we believe that communicating with you on significant matters is an important part of our obligation to align governance and management with the best interests of shareholders.”

The letter summarizes the way the board has been responsive to shareholders, items that will be explained in depth in the proxy but the letter enables the board to highlight its shareholder-friendly approach, from the advisory vote on executive compensation, the special financial award to 15,000 employees, clawbacks, the board’s active engagement in succession planning and how it has approached risk oversight.

It also invites shareholders to write to the board providing an email address for independent directors as well as a website for feedback on executive compensation. How simple and effective.

The proxy does a nice job of describing the current board and their qualificationsas well as a process for selecting directors including an explanation of how shareholders can recommend director candidates. The board explains its process and philosophy for compensation.

Best of all, it’s in plain English, clear, readable and understandable.

Directors Can Bypass the Proxy Advisory Firms

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In light of the SEC’s ban on broker voting, there is considerable concern about the conflicted business model of proxy advisory  firms such as RiskMetrics, which provides proxy voting recommendations to institutional investors along with a proprietary governance rating while an arm of RiskMetrics sells advice on how companies can improve governance scores.

Directors shouldn’t spend too much time railing against these firms. Rather, it’s time for boards of directors to bypass these groups and review their own governance policies including charters, bylaws and compensation rules so that they are well versed on the company’s corporate governance policies. At the same time, boards should develop an understanding of its shareholders and their concerns. Continue reading →

Toward a Dialogue With Shareholders

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In principle, corporate directors have embraced greater transparency and communication  with shareholders through various organizations including the Business Roundtable and the National Association of Corporate Directors.  Yet individually, most directors are reluctant to interact with shareholders.  Many invoke (while secretly expressing gratitude for)  Regulation FD.

“Communicating is not in our DNA,” one director confided. Continue reading →