The NASPP Blog

Our popular “Meet the Speaker” series, featuring interviews with speakers at the 24th Annual NASPP Conference, is great way to get to know our many distinguished speakers and find out a little more about their sessions in advance of the Conference.

For today’s “Meet the Speaker” interview, we feature Dee Crosby of the CEP Institute, who will lead the session “Hitchhiker’s Guide to Stock Plan Administration Consultants”

Here is what Dee had to say:

NASPP: Why is a panel about consultants particularly timely right now?

Dee: Many departments are being asked to do more and more without a lot of additional resources, so hiring consultants is becoming more and more common. Our panel is composed of individuals who have worked as consultants and have hired consultants. We will share our experiences so you can leave with a better understanding of how to hire the right person—or firm—for the work that you need.  And with the increased demand for consultants, people might be tempted to travel down the consulting career path themselves.  We will point out the pros and cons, and share some insights into the world of equity consulting.

NASPP: What is a common mistake companies make when hiring consultants and how can they avoid this?

Dee: Most companies do not use an RFP process when hiring a consultant.  And that leads to misunderstanding, scope creep, and unhappy companies and consultants.  We will highlight the importance of an RFP (even if it just a scope of work!) and share how this can greatly enhance the overall experience—for both the company and the consultant!

NASPP: What is the silver lining to hiring consultants who specialize in stock plan administration?

Dee: Consultants in our industry are very experienced.  As a result, they often add more value than initially envisioned when a consulting project is scoped out.  This benefits the consultants as well as the companies hiring the consultants.  Plus, adding consultants to your network is a definite asset in the equity compensation world.

NASPP: What is something people don’t know about you?

Dee: My real name is Dolores, but everyone calls me Dee, except for my family. They call me Lori.

Don’t miss Dee’s session, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to Stock Plan Administration Consultants,” at the NASPP Conference!

About the NASPP Conference

The 24th Annual NASPP Conference will be held from October 24-27 in Houston. This year’s program features close to 100 sessions on today’s most timely topics in stock and executive compensation; check out the full agenda and register today!