8-KShareholder MattersCorporate ChangesExhibits & Filings

Salesforce, Inc. 8-K Report, Bylaw Amendment (Jun 3, 2016)

Filed June 3, 2016For Securities:CRM

Summary

Salesforce.com, Inc. filed a Form 8-K on June 3, 2016, detailing key corporate governance updates following its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 2, 2016. The most significant action was the stockholder approval and subsequent filing of an amendment to the company's Certificate of Incorporation. This amendment clarifies that the Board of Directors can be removed with or without cause, aligning with the previous year's declassification of the board. This change enhances flexibility in board composition and governance for the company. Additionally, the filing provides the voting results for all proposals considered at the annual meeting. This includes the election of twelve directors, all of whom received strong support from shareholders, demonstrating continued confidence in leadership. Other proposals voted on included the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor, an advisory vote on executive compensation which passed, and two stockholder proposals regarding change in control benefits and executive share retention, both of which were not approved by a majority of shareholders. These outcomes reflect the board's recommendations and the prevailing sentiment among the company's investors regarding these matters.

Key Highlights

  • 1Stockholders approved an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to clarify that directors can be removed with or without cause.
  • 2The amendment aligns with the previous year's declassification of the Board of Directors.
  • 3All twelve nominated directors were elected to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, receiving substantial 'For' votes.
  • 4The appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017, was ratified.
  • 5An advisory vote on the compensation of named executive officers was approved by a majority of shareholders.
  • 6Two stockholder proposals, one on limiting change in control benefits and another on executive share retention, did not receive majority approval.
  • 7The filing includes the detailed voting results for all proposals presented at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of the amendment was to formally clarify in the Certificate of Incorporation that the company's Board of Directors can be removed with or without cause. This aligns with and solidifies the governance change that occurred with the declassification of the board in 2015.

All twelve nominated directors were overwhelmingly elected, receiving significant 'For' votes. While some directors had a notable number of 'Against' votes or broker non-votes, none failed to achieve majority support, indicating broad shareholder confidence in the current board.

Two stockholder proposals were voted on: one concerning the limitation of change in control benefits and another regarding a share retention policy for senior executives. Both of these proposals did not receive majority approval from the shareholders.

No, the company's appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as its independent public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017, was ratified by the stockholders, indicating continuity in their auditing relationship.