Create Your Own Fantasy Company And Compensation Package

Create Your Own Fantasy Company and Compensation Package

Assignment 2 asks you to create your own fantasy company. You decide what product is to be produced (it may be information, services, or a tangible product), but your company must have at least 15 regular employees. See attachment below for more details on Assignment 2.

HR Application 1: “Selling It” Imagine that you are the compensation specialist for a large manufacturing organization in the U.S. Your organization makes and sells a product (YOU get to choose what the product is) in the global marketplace. Develop a compensation package for the position of “Salesperson” in your organization.

Expect to take approximately 2-3 pages written in APA format (double-spaced, 12 point font) to complete this assignment. Your work will be graded on completeness, clarity, originality, interest, APA formatting, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Be sure to address the following:

  • What is the product that your organization makes and sells? Be specific.
  • What are the major issues that should be considered as part of your organization’s compensation strategy?
  • How will your product, the nature of sales jobs, and global competition affect your decisions?
  • What dimensions and elements of compensation will be most important to this job in your organization? Why?
  • Construct a short email that you could send to a newly-hired employee providing a brief overview of initial compensation and benefits. For example, would a “Salesperson” at your organization be paid salary only, salary plus commission incentives, or hourly only?
  • What kinds of pay differentials could they expect for shift work? Will any or all employees receive benefits?
  • Do your best to be realistic in what you would expect to offer and explain the decisions you made.

    Assuming your answer is correct, this is how you will be graded. You will receive 0pts for an incorrect answer.

    Evaluation Criteria

    • Product of organization (25%): Clearly identifies the product that your organization makes and sells. Is specific, contains a product description. Also, clearly identifies the major issues in the compensation strategy, with examples of how the product, sales job nature, and global competition influence decisions.
    • Dimensions and Elements (25%): Clearly identifies the key compensation dimensions and elements important for the sales job. Provides examples demonstrating why. Provides a sample compensation statement for new employees outlining initial pay and benefits.
    • Organization (25%): Information is well-organized with clear, well-constructed paragraphs.
    • Mechanics (25%): No APA formatting, grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

    Total grading weight is 100% based on these categories, with specific emphasis on clarity and realism in the compensation package design.

    Paper For Above instruction

    Creating a Fantasy Company and Compensation Strategy for a Sales Role

    To demonstrate an understanding of organizational compensation strategies and their relationship with business operations, I have designed a hypothetical company called EcoTech Solutions. This company specializes in producing and selling sustainable energy products, specifically solar panel systems designed for residential and commercial use. With a focus on eco-friendly technology, EcoTech Solutions aims to meet growing global demand for renewable energy sources, positioning itself both nationally and internationally as a leading provider.

    EcoTech Solutions’ core product—advanced solar energy systems—addresses the increasing need for sustainable power options amid climate concerns and government incentives. The company’s operational strategy emphasizes innovation, quality, and customer service, with a targeted market segment that values environmental responsibility. As such, the company's compensation policies, particularly for the salesforce, must align with its mission to attract motivated, knowledgeable, and proactive sales personnel capable of operating in a competitive, global marketplace.

    The major issues influencing EcoTech’s compensation strategy include the nature of the energy sector’s sales environment, the technical knowledge required of salesmpeople, the competitive landscape, and geopolitical considerations affecting international expansion. Because the solar industry is rapidly evolving, compensation packages must incentivize both product knowledge and proactive client engagement. Additionally, the global competition—ranging from local providers to multinational firms—necessitates a compensation approach that attracts top-tier sales talent while remaining competitive against others offering lucrative incentives.

    In the context of solar panel sales, key compensation dimensions include base salary, commission or bonus incentives linked to sales volume, and performance-based awards. The complexity and long sales cycles typical of renewable energy projects require a balanced mix of fixed and variable compensation to ensure stability while motivating high performance. Non-monetary elements such as recognition programs and opportunities for professional development also play a role in fostering team engagement and retention.

    Given these considerations, I recommend a compensation structure where the salesperson receives a base salary representing approximately 60% of total intended earnings, supplemented by a commission rate of 5-10% on each sale, encouraging effort to close deals effectively. For example, a typical salesperson might earn a $50,000 annual base salary plus commissions averaging $20,000 annually, depending on sales success. Additionally, a quarterly bonus based on meeting sales targets could further incentivize performance.

    In terms of benefits, EcoTech offers comprehensive health and dental insurance, a retirement savings plan with company match, and paid time off, aligning with industry standards for competitive attractivité. For shift work, such as installation or service after-hours support, differential pay could be applied, with shift premiums of 10-20% depending on hours worked. This approach ensures fair compensation while recognizing the demands of non-standard schedules.

    Finally, a sample email to newly hired sales personnel might read as follows:

    Dear [Employee Name],

    Welcome to EcoTech Solutions! We are excited to have you join our sales team. Your initial compensation package includes a base salary of $50,000 annually, complemented by commission earnings based on your sales performance, with an estimated average of $20,000 annually. You are also eligible for quarterly bonuses upon meeting sales targets. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health and dental coverage, a retirement plan with company matching, and paid time off. For shift work, additional premiums apply for after-hours roles. We look forward to your success in helping us promote sustainable energy solutions worldwide.

    Best regards,[Manager’s Name]

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, designing an effective compensation package requires balancing organizational goals with external market conditions and internal capabilities. EcoTech Solutions’ sales compensation plan emphasizes performance incentives aligned with global competition, industry standards, and company values. This approach aims to attract, motivate, and retain top sales talent essential for expanding the company's market presence in the renewable energy sector.

    References

    • Cascio, W. F., & Boudreau, J. W. (2016). Investing in People: Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives. Pearson Education.
    • Gerhart, B., & Rynes, S. L. (2018). Compensation: Theory, Evidence, and Strategic Implications. Routledge.
    • Milkovich, G. T., Newman, J. M., & Gerhart, B. (2016). Compensation. McGraw-Hill Education.
    • Osterloh, M., & Frey, B. S. (2000). Motivation, Knowledge, and the Corporation: Conceptual and Empirical Issues. The Journal of Management Studies, 37(7), 1073-1098.
    • Snape, E., Redman, T., & Bamber, G. J. (2018). Managing Employment Relations. Routledge.
    • Werner, S. (2019). Strategic Compensation: A Human Resource Management Approach. Routledge.
    • Johansson, U., et al. (2020). HR strategies in renewable energy firms: A case study. Energy Policy, 105, 224-234.
    • Mathis, R. L., Jackson, J. H., & Valentine, S. R. (2019). Human Resource Management. Cengage Learning.
    • Smith, J. (2021). Global competition and compensation strategies in the renewable energy sector. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(9), 2002-2020.
    • Vance, C. M., & Rice, M. L. (2017). Designing sales compensation plans for high-performing teams. Journal of Sales Theory and Practice, 23(4), 50-62.