Representatives of companies who returned calls said their actions were not only fair, but also needed to keep talented executives.

Keeping other top executives will undoubtedly be a great challenge.

But, he added, to suggest that he kept top executives in the dark until the last minute "just isn't true."

But he also said those packages were perfectly justified, because the board wanted to keep executives from being lured away to work at other companies.

First, for security, to keep executives far from terrorists and industrial spies.

Such practice sessions can also keep executives from putting their feet in their mouths.

He was known to keep largely to himself and his closest top-tier executives.

He also managed to keep Viacom's most widely respected executives in place.

Companies argue that such payments are needed to keep executives from defecting.

You have a duty to your shareholders to keep executives in line.