Meeting/Event Information

Compensation 101: Understanding the Foundations of Effective Pay Programs (Hybrid: In-person and Virtual)

Compensation impacts every stage of the employee experience—from attracting top talent to retaining high performers. This session provides a practical, high-level overview of compensation fundamentals and the key elements that drive effective pay decisions. Attendees will learn how organizations determine competitive pay using market data, establish compensation philosophies that align with business goals, structure salary ranges, and differentiate pay based on employee contributions and performance. Designed for HR professionals of all backgrounds, this presentation demystifies compensation and provides actionable insights to help organizations create fair, competitive, and sustainable pay programs.

Participants will learn:

• The foundational principles of compensation and total rewards
• How market data influences pay decisions and salary structures
• The relationship between compensation philosophy, business strategy, and talent outcomes
• Key components of base pay, incentive pay, and total compensation
• Best practices for managing salary ranges and employee pay progression
• How compensation can be leveraged to attract, motivate, and retain talent in today's competitive labor market

Marc Mullis – Founder | Payformance Partners

Marc is a seasoned compensation strategist with over 25 years of experience in total rewards, performance management, talent strategy, and HR systems implementation. A certified Global Remuneration Professional with a BS in Psychology, he brings both analytical discipline and a people-centered approach to helping organizations align pay with business strategy. 

As the Founder of Payformance Partners, Marc leads with a clear mission: to provide affordable consulting services which help companies optimize their pay programs; driving business results while getting the greatest return on their biggest investment: their people. The firm focuses on smarter spending, not necessarily more spending; optimizing compensation programs and processes so HR teams can step out of overwhelming administrative burden and into strategic impact. The ultimate goal? Co-creating space where businesses thrive and employees grow—professionally and personally. 

Marc is also a faculty member with WorldatWork, teaching courses on Job Analysis, Variable Pay Design, Strategic Communication, and Geographic Pay Strategies. A recognized thought leader, he frequently speaks at industry association meetings, including WorldatWork, and other industry events, known for turning complex compensation issues into practical insights that HR teams can use right away. 

SHRM WNC conducts a monthly chapter meeting on the second Wednesday of each month.  Meetings are typically a breakfast meeting but may vary in time to include lunch and afternoon meetings.  

Each meeting members are provided chapter, NCSHRM and SHRM updates in addition to programming that provides SHRM and HRCI credit.