Thobe Group - FAQ's

What is Thobe Group's confidentiality policy?

Thobe Group maintains all elements of our databases on a strictly confidential basis; no individual company data will be disclosed to anyone outside our firm. Criteria are established to ensure data confidentiality for overall published results and specialized, custom analysis.

What is a Job Component Statement (JCS^�)?

This is Thobe Group's copyrighted approach to effectively defining job scope and responsibilities. Our numbered statements detail job tasks, skills, responsibilities, position in company hierarchy, education, experience, and overall qualifications. Results pages display company weighted distribution of the responses that enable you to compare your job design elements and allows for custom analysis of jobs reported that match your job�s design.

Each year the JCS^� are reviewed and updated to track pay driver changes associated with selected skills and disciplines.� For example, the Network Planning IC 3 statements shown below result in the following data displays:

Overall data
Industry group
Metro area
Regional (Metro, Rural, All)
Type of Network/System (JCS^�11 � 13)
Principal Technology: Fiber Optics (JCS^� 9 - 10)
Internet protocol knowledge (JCS^�6)

NWE-121�� Network Planning - IC 3
1	< = >		Designs and coordinates highly complex network components supporting network implementation activities
2	Y N		Develops and evaluates highly complex network performance criteria and measurement methods
3	< = > NA		Devises highly complex alternative routing scenarios and changes in required sequence of network activities
4	< = > NA		Performs highly complex future worth economic selection studies
5	< = > NA		Automates complex statistical research and reports
6	< = > NA		Requires strong knowledge and application of internet protocols
7	Y N		Switched systems (sites at which the signal is switched, for example; Central Office, PBX or mobile switch sites)
8	Y N		Interoffice facilities (transmission between switch sites, for example; between 2 Central Offices)
9	Y N	&	Activities support PRIMARILY fiber optic networks/systems
10	Y N	&	Little or no support of fiber optic networks/systems
11	Y N	@	Activities support BOTH wireless and landline networks/systems
12	Y N	@	Activities support wireless networks/systems ONLY
13	Y N	@	Activities support landline networks/systems ONLY
14	Y N		Also supports international network planning activities
91	< = > NA		REPORTS TO:� Network Planning - 2nd Level Management (NWE-110)
92	< = >		EDUCATION:� Equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in CS, Math, or Economics
93	< = >		EXPERIENCE:� 8+ years telecommunications network/system analysis
94	< = >		OVERALL JOB MATCH:� Designs and coordinates highly complex network components supporting network implementation activities

To see how this data is reported back, click here.

Does Thobe Group just do surveys?

Thobe Group is focused on supporting the communication technologies world primarily as a consulting firm (general compensation, sales compensation plan design, executive compensation plan design; incentive programs (STI and LTI); performance management; organizational design; expert witness testimony)...we're not "just" a survey company.

We do all the hard work on the surveys so we have the best, most current pay data, organizational information, and the inside "scoop" to use in our consulting activities.� This is why we specialize in your industry - nowhere else can you get the depth of experience our consultants deliver. We are also available to support your company as an outsourced compensation function, as well as coming on site to complete your survey input.

Twenty-five years experience in this industry has made us particularly adept in working with outside Directors to help them understand how pay practices differ in the Communication Technologies environment from other industry groups (non-profit, utility, financial, rural telco, etc.).