SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [_]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, For Use of the
[_] Definitive Proxy Statement Commission Only (as permitted
[_] Definitive Additional Materials by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to
Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
TSI INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE LTD.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[_] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
________________________________________________________________________________
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________________________________________________________
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________________________________________________________
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
________________________________________________________________________________
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
________________________________________________________________________________
5) Total fee paid:
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
________________________________________________________________________________
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
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[LOGO]
TSI
March 5, 1999
To Our Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of TSI International Software Ltd. to be held at the Landmark Club located at 1
Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut, on Friday, March 26, 1999, at 9:30 a.m.,
Eastern time.
The matters expected to be acted upon at the meeting are described in
detail in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement.
Please use this opportunity to take part in the Company's affairs by voting
on the business to come before this meeting. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND
THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING
PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PRIOR TO THE MEETING SO THAT YOUR
SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. Returning the proxy does not deprive
you of your right to attend the meeting and to vote your shares in person.
We hope to see you at the meeting.
Sincerely,
Constance F. Galley
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>
TSI INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE LTD.
45 DANBURY ROAD
WILTON, CONNECTICUT 06897
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
------------
To Our Stockholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of TSI
International Software Ltd. (the "Company") will be held at the Landmark Club
located at 1 Landmark Square, Stamford, Connecticut, on Friday, March 26, 1999,
at 9:30 a.m., Eastern time.
At the meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following
matters:
1. The election of five directors of the Company, each to serve until the
next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his or her successor has been
elected and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation, death or removal.
The Company's Board of Directors intends to present the following nominees for
election as directors:
Constance F. Galley Ernest E. Keet Dennis G. Sisco
Stewart K.P. Gross James P. Schadt
2. A proposal to approve an amendment to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance thereunder by 50,000,000 shares to an aggregate of 70,000,000 shares.
3. A proposal to approve an amendment to the Company's 1997 Equity
Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder
by 1,250,000 shares to an aggregate of 2,375,000 shares.
4. A proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy
Statement accompanying this Notice. Only stockholders of record at the close of
business on February 23, 1999 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Ira A. Gerard
Vice President, Finance and Administration,
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
Wilton, Connecticut
March 5, 1999
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND
PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE SO
THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
<PAGE>
TSI INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE LTD.
45 DANBURY ROAD
WILTON, CONNECTICUT 06897
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PROXY STATEMENT
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March 5, 1999
The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors
(the "Board") of TSI International Software Ltd., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company" or "TSI Software"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
the Company to be held at the Landmark Club located at 1 Landmark Square,
Stamford, Connecticut, on Friday, March 26, 1999, at 9:30 a.m., Eastern time
(the "Meeting"). This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy were
first mailed to stockholders on or about March 5, 1999. A copy of the Company's
report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 is enclosed with this
Proxy Statement.
VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Record Date; Quorum
Only holders of record of the Company's Common Stock at the close of
business on February 23, 1999 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to vote at
the Meeting. A majority of the shares outstanding on the Record Date will
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. At the close
of business on the Record Date, the Company had 11,232,163 shares of Common
Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
Voting Rights; Required Vote
Holders of the Company's Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held as of the Record Date. Shares of Common Stock may not be voted
cumulatively. In the event that a broker, bank, custodian, nominee or other
record holder of TSI Software Common Stock indicates on a proxy that it does not
have discretionary authority to vote certain shares on a particular matter (a
"broker non-vote"), then those shares will not be considered present and
entitled to vote with respect to that matter, although they will be counted in
determining whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting.
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares of
Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and
entitled to vote on the election of directors. Proposal No. 2 requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock outstanding on the
Record Date. Proposals No. 3 and 4 require for approval the affirmative vote of
the majority of shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy
at the Meeting that are voted for or against the proposal. Abstentions and
broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against Proposal
No.2, and will not be counted as a vote "for" or "against" the election of
directors and Proposals No. 3 and 4. All votes will be tabulated by the
inspector of elections appointed for the Meeting who will separately tabulate,
for each proposal, affirmative and negative votes, abstentions and broker
non-votes.
Voting Of Proxies
The proxy accompanying this Proxy Statement is solicited on behalf of the
Board for use at the Meeting. Stockholders are requested to complete, date and
sign the accompanying proxy card and promptly return it in the enclosed envelope
or otherwise mail it to TSI Software. All signed, returned proxies that are not
revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained therein;
however, returned signed proxies that give no instructions as to how they should
be voted on a particular proposal at the Meeting will be counted as votes "for"
such proposal (or, in the case of the election of directors, as a vote "for"
election to the Board of all the nominees presented by the Board).
In the event that sufficient votes in favor of the proposals are not
received by the date of the Meeting, the persons named as proxies may propose
one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitations of
proxies. Any such adjournment would require the affirmative vote of the majority
of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting.
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The expenses of soliciting proxies to be voted at the Meeting will be paid
by the Company. Following the original mailing of the proxies and other
soliciting materials, the Company will request that brokers, custodians,
nominees and other record holders of the Company's Common Stock forward copies
of the proxy and other soliciting materials to persons for whom they hold shares
of Common Stock and request authority for the exercise of proxies. In such
cases, the Company, upon the request of the record holders, will reimburse such
holders for their reasonable expenses. The original solicitation of proxies by
mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by
directors, officers and employees of the Company.
Revocability Of Proxies
Any person signing a proxy in the form accompanying this Proxy Statement
has the power to revoke it prior to the Meeting or at the Meeting prior to the
vote pursuant to the proxy. A proxy may be revoked by a writing delivered to the
Company stating that the proxy is revoked, by a subsequent proxy that is signed
by the person who signed the earlier proxy and is presented at the Meeting, or
by attendance at the Meeting and voting in person. Please note, however, that if
a stockholder's shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and
that stockholder wishes to vote at the Meeting, the stockholder must bring to
the Meeting a letter from the broker, bank or other nominee confirming that
stockholder's beneficial ownership of the shares and that such broker, bank or
other nominee is not voting such shares.
PROPOSAL NO. 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board currently consists of five directors, all of whom are nominated
for reelection at the Meeting. Each director will be elected to serve until the
next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly
elected and qualified or until such director's earlier resignation, death or
removal.
Shares represented by the accompanying proxy will be voted "for" the
election of the five nominees recommended by the Board unless the proxy is
marked in such a manner as to withhold authority so to vote. In the event that
any nominee for any reason is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve,
the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominee as the proxy holder may
determine. The Company is not aware of any nominee who will be unable to or for
good cause will not serve as a director.
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present
in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote in the
election of directors. The five nominees for election of directors who receive
the greatest number of votes cast for the election of directors at the meeting,
a quorum being present, will become directors at the conclusion of the
tabulation of votes.
Nominees
The names of the nominees, each of whom is currently a director of the
Company, and certain information about them, are set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Director
Name of Director Age Principal Occupation Since
- ---------------- --- -------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Constance F. Galley (1) 57 President, Chief Executive Officer, Director, 1985
TSI Software
Stewart K.P. Gross (1)(2) 39 Managing Director, E.M. Warburg, 1993
Pincus & Co., LLC
Ernest E. Keet (1)(2) 58 President, Vanguard Atlantic Ltd. 1985
James P. Schadt (1)(2) 60 Chairman, Dailey Capital Management, LLC 1998
Dennis G. Sisco (1)(2) 52 Partner, Behrman Capital 1990
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Member of the Audit Committee
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee
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Constance F. Galley has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since 1985, when the Company commenced operating as an
independent entity. Prior to 1985, Ms. Galley directed the Company's marketing
and development operations when the Company was part of the Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation. Ms. Galley is a member of the Board of Directors of the software
division of ITAA, and of IVANS, and was formerly the Chairperson of SACIA, The
Business Council of Southwestern Connecticut. Ms. Galley holds a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Chemistry from Duke University.
Stewart K.P. Gross has served as a director of the Company since April
1993. Mr. Gross is a Managing Director of E.M. Warburg Pincus & Co., LLC and has
been employed by E.M. Warburg Pincus & Co., LLC since 1987. Prior to 1987, Mr.
Gross was employed at Morgan Stanley & Co. Mr. Gross is a director of BEA
Systems, IA Corporation and several privately-held companies.
Ernest E. Keet has served as a director of the Company since April 1985.
Mr. Keet has been the President and a member of the Board of Directors of
Vanguard Atlantic Ltd. since April 1984. Mr. Keet is the non-executive Chairman
of Axolotl Corp., and from May 1995 until December 1996, was the President of
Axolotl Corp. Mr. Keet also served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of ECsoft N.V and B.V. from 1990 through April 1994.
James P. Schadt was elected as a director of the Company on August 27,
1998. Mr. Schadt is the Chairman of Dailey Capital Management, LLC. From July
1994 until August 1997, Mr. Schadt was the Chief Executive Officer of Readers
Digest Association, Inc. Mr. Schadt joined Readers Digest in 1991 as its
President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Mr. Schadt was a director of
Cadbury Schweppes, PLC and the Chief Executive Officer of Cadbury Beverages,
Inc., its global beverages operation. Mr. Schadt also serves on the board of
trustees of The American Enterprise Institute and Northwestern University, where
he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.
Dennis G. Sisco has served as a director of the Company since January 1990.
Mr. Sisco is a partner with Behrman Capital. From December 1988 until February
1997, Mr. Sisco was the President of D&B Enterprises, Inc. (now Cognizant
Enterprises, Inc.). From December 1988 until February 1997, Mr. Sisco had also
been employed by Cognizant Corporation and its predecessor, The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation, most recently as an Executive Vice President. Mr. Sisco is also a
director of the Gartner Group, Inc., Oacis Healthcare Holdings Corporation and
Aspect Development, Inc.
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
Board of Directors
During 1998, the Board met nine times, including five telephone conference
meetings, and acted by written consent three times. No director attended fewer
than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board (held
during the period for which he was a director) and the total number of meetings
held by all committees of the Board on which such director served (during the
period that such director served).
Standing committees of the Board include an Audit Committee and a
Compensation Committee. The Board does not have a nominating committee or a
committee performing similar functions.
Audit Committee
All of the Board members comprise the current members of the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee met once during 1998. The Audit Committee meets
with the Company's independent accountants to review the adequacy of the
Company's internal control systems and financial reporting procedures; reviews
the general scope of the Company's annual audit and the fees charged by the
independent accountants; reviews and monitors the performance of non-audit
services by the Company's auditors, reviews the fairness of any proposed
transaction between the Company and any officer, director or other affiliate of
the Company (other than transactions subject to the review of the Compensation
Committee), and after such review, makes recommendations to the full Board; and
performs such further functions as may be required by any stock exchange or
over-the-counter market upon which the Company's Common Stock may be listed.
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Compensation Committee
During 1998, the Compensation Committee met eight times. Messrs. Gross,
Keet, Schadt and Sisco are the current members of the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee recommends compensation for officers and employees of
the Company and grants options and other awards under the Company's equity
compensation and employee benefit plans.
Director Compensation
The Company reimburses Board members for reasonable expenses associated
with their attendance at Board meetings. None of the members of the Board
receives a fee for attending Board meetings. Members of the Board who are not
employees of the Company, or any parent, or subsidiary of the Company, are
eligible to participate in the Company's 1997 Directors Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors Plan"). During 1998, Messrs. Gross, Keet, and Sisco were each granted
an option pursuant to the Directors Plan to purchase 3,750 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $22.76 per share, and Mr. Schadt
was granted an option pursuant to the Directors Plan to purchase 15,000 shares
of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $25.60. John J. Pendray, a
former director of the Company who resigned in November 1998, was also granted
an option pursuant to the Directors Plan to purchase 3,750 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at an exercise price of $22.76 per share.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF
EACH OF THE NOMINATED DIRECTORS.
PROPOSAL NO. 2 -- APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED
NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
The Board has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of
shares of Common Stock from 20,000,000 shares, $0.01 par value per share, to
70,000,000 shares, $0.01 par value per share.
At February 23, 1999, approximately 11,232,163 shares of Common Stock were
issued and outstanding, approximately 2,734,225 shares were reserved for
issuance upon exercise of options outstanding and equity awards to be granted
under the Company's equity compensation plans and approximately 750,000 shares
were reserved for issuance for purchases under the Company's Employee Stock
Purchase Plan. Thus, as of that date, the Company had approximately 5,283,582
shares of Common Stock available for issuance in the future, unless the proposed
amendment is adopted by the shareholders. The proposed increase in the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock from 20,000,000 to 70,000,000 would result in
additional shares being available for, among other things, the proposed
two-for-one stock split, announced in January 1999, to be effected in the form
of a stock dividend, which will not require any additional stockholder approval,
to the Company's stockholders of record on March 15, 1999, and the increase in
the number of shares of Common Stock reserved under the Company's 1997 Equity
Incentive Plan, as described in Proposal No. 3. These additional shares of
Common Stock would also be available for issuance from time to time for other
corporate purposes, such as raising additional capital, acquisitions of
companies or assets and sales of stock or securities convertible into Common
Stock. The Company believes that the availability of the additional shares will
provide it with the flexibility to meet business needs as they arise, to take
advantage of favorable opportunities and to respond to a changing corporate
environment.
If the stockholders approve the amendment, the Company will file a
Certificate of Amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware reflecting the increase in authorized shares.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE
COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE
AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
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PROPOSAL NO. 3 -- AMENDMENT TO THE 1997 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Stockholders are being asked to approve an amendment to the Company's 1997
Equity Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan") to increase the number of shares of
Common Stock reserved for issuance thereunder by 1,250,000 shares to an
aggregate of 2,375,000 shares plus any shares that pour over from the Company's
1993 Stock Option Plan, the predecessor to the 1997 Plan, as described in
"Number of Shares Subject to the 1997 Plan" below. The share numbers used in
this proposal have not been adjusted for the proposed two-for-one stock split
described in Proposal No. 2.
The Board believes that the 1,250,000 share increase in the number of
shares reserved for issuance under the 1997 Plan is in the best interests of the
Company because of the continuing need to provide stock options to attract and
retain quality employees and remain competitive in the industry. The granting of
equity incentives under the 1997 Plan plays an important role in the Company's
efforts to attract and retain employees of outstanding ability. The Board
believes that the additional reserve of shares with respect to which equity
incentives may be granted will provide the Company with adequate flexibility to
ensure that the Company can continue to meet those goals and facilitate the
Company's expansion of its employee base.
The Board approved the proposed amendment in January 1999, to be effective
upon stockholder approval. Below is a summary of the principal provisions of the
1997 Plan, assuming stockholder approval of the amendment. The summary is not
necessarily complete, and reference is made to the full text of the 1997 Plan.
1997 Plan History. In May 1997, the Board adopted and the stockholders of
the Company approved the 1997 Plan and reserved for issuance thereunder
1,125,000 shares of Common Stock plus any shares that remained or later became
available for issuance under the 1993 Stock Option Plan, as described below. The
purpose of the 1997 Plan is to offer eligible persons an opportunity to
participate in the Company's future performance through awards of stock options,
restricted stock and stock bonuses.
Number of Shares Subject to the 1997 Plan. The stock subject to issuance
under the 1997 Plan consists of shares of the Company's authorized but unissued
Common Stock. Originally, 1,125,000 shares of Common Stock plus pour over shares
from the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan were reserved by the Board for
issuance under the 1997 Plan. This Proposal No. 3 seeks to increase the number
of shares available for issuance under the 1997 Plan by 1,250,000. Any shares of
Common Stock that: (a) are subject to an option granted pursuant to the 1997
Plan that expires or terminates for any reason without being exercised; or (b)
are subject to an award granted pursuant to the 1997 Plan that are forfeited or
are repurchased by the Company at the original issue price; or (c) are subject
to an award granted pursuant to the 1997 Plan that otherwise terminates without
shares being issued, will again become available for grant and issuance pursuant
to awards under the 1997 Plan. The number of shares that became available for
issuance under the 1997 Plan by operation of the pour over from the Company's
1993 Stock Option Plan (the "Prior Plan") is equal to the number of shares
remaining unissued under the Prior Plan on the effective date of the 1997 Plan,
and any shares that are (a) issuable upon exercise of options granted pursuant
to the Prior Plan that expire or become unexercisable for any reason without
having been exercised in full; (b) are subject to an award granted pursuant to
the Prior Plan but are forfeited or are repurchased by the Company at the
original issue price; or (c) are subject to an award granted pursuant to the
Prior Plan that otherwise terminates without the shares being issued. These pour
over shares will no longer be available for grant under the Prior Plan. This
number of shares is subject to proportional adjustment to reflect stock splits,
stock dividends and other similar events.
Eligibility. Employees, officers, directors, consultants, independent
contractors and advisors of the Company (and of any parent company or
subsidiary) are eligible to receive awards under the 1997 Plan (the
"Participants"). No Participant is eligible to receive more than 300,000 shares
of Common Stock in any calendar year under the 1997 Plan, other than new
employees of the Company (including directors and officers who are also new
employees) who are eligible to receive up to a maximum of 450,000 shares of
Common Stock in the calendar year in which they commence their employment with
the Company. As of February 23, 1999, approximately 178 persons were
participating in the 1997 Plan, 236,481 shares had been issued upon exercise of
options granted under the 1997 Plan and 1,758,476 shares were subject to
outstanding options. As of that date, approximately 690,174 shares were
available for future grants, after taking into account the pour over shares.
Administration. The 1997 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee
(the "Committee"), the members of which are appointed by the Board. The
Committee currently consists of Stewart K.P. Gross, Ernest
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E. Keet, James P. Schadt and Dennis G. Sisco, each of whom are "non-employee
directors," as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and "outside directors," as
defined pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"). Subject to the terms of the 1997 Plan, the Committee
determines the persons who are to receive awards, the number of shares subject
to each such award, and the terms and conditions of such awards. The Company's
President and Chief Executive Officer, Constance Galley, has been delegated
limited authority to grant awards under the 1997 Plan. The Committee also has
the authority to construe and interpret any of the provisions of the 1997 Plan
or any awards granted thereunder.
Stock Options. The 1997 Plan permits the granting of options that are
either Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") or Nonqualified Stock Options ("NQSOs").
ISOs may be granted only to employees (including officers and directors who are
also employees) of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company. The
option exercise price for each ISO share must be no less than 100% of the "fair
market value" of a share of Common Stock at the time the ISO is granted. In the
case of an ISO granted to a 10% stockholder, the exercise price for each such
ISO share must be no less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock at the time the ISO is granted. The option exercise price for each
NQSO share must be no less than 85% of the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock at the time of grant. The 1997 Plan defines fair market value as
the average of the closing price of the Company's stock on the previous four
Fridays prior to the date of grant. To date, the Company has not granted options
under the 1997 Plan at less than 100% of fair market value.
The maximum term of options granted under the 1997 Plan is ten years if the
grantee is based in the United States and a maximum term of seven years if the
grantee is based in the United Kingdom, unless the option is an ISO granted to a
stockholder owning 10% or more of the Company's stock, in which case the maximum
term is five years. Options granted under the 1997 Plan may not generally be
transferred in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and may generally be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee
only by optionee. Options granted under the 1997 Plan generally expire three
months after termination of the optionee's service to the Company or a parent or
subsidiary of the Company, except in the case of death or disability, in which
case the options may be exercised up to 12 months following the date of death or
termination of service or in the case of termination for cause, in which case
the option may not be exercised following termination.
Restricted Stock and Stock Bonus Awards. The Committee may grant
Participants restricted stock awards to purchase stock and stock bonus awards
for services rendered to the Company either in addition to, or in tandem with,
other awards under the 1997 Plan, under such terms, conditions and restrictions
as the Committee may determine. The purchase price for common stock sold
pursuant to restricted stock awards must be no less than 85% of the fair market
value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of the award (and in the case of
an award granted to a 10% stockholder, the purchase price shall be 100% of fair
market value). Awards or restricted stock and stock bonuses that are granted
below 100% of fair market value are limited under the 1997 Plan to no more than
150,000 shares to any one participant and no more than 300,000 shares in the
aggregate over the term of the 1997 Plan.
Mergers, Consolidations, Change of Control. In the event of a merger,
consolidation, or certain other change of control transactions, any outstanding
stock option, restricted stock and stock bonus awards will accelerate by
one-year's vesting or such additional acceleration of vesting as the Committee
in its discretion may decide, and may be assumed or replaced by the successor
corporation. In lieu of such assumption or replacement, but in addition to the
one-year's additional vesting or such additional acceleration of vesting, the
successor corporation may substitute equivalent awards or provide substantially
similar consideration to Eligible Service Providers as is provided to
stockholders.
Amendment of the 1997 Plan. The Board may at any time terminate or amend
the 1997 Plan, including amending any form of award agreement or instrument to
be executed pursuant to the 1997 Plan.
Term of the 1997 Plan. Unless terminated earlier as provided in the 1997
Plan, the 1997 Plan will expire in May 2007, ten years from the date the 1997
Plan was adopted by the Board.
Federal Income Tax Information
THE FOLLOWING IS A GENERAL SUMMARY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT
OF THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE COMPANY AND PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE
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1997 PLAN. FEDERAL TAX LAWS MAY CHANGE AND THE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX
CONSEQUENCES FOR ANY PARTICIPANT WILL DEPEND UPON HIS OR HER INDIVIDUAL
CIRCUMSTANCES. EACH PARTICIPANT HAS BEEN AND IS ENCOURAGED TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF
A QUALIFIED TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE
1997 PLAN.
Incentive Stock Options. A Participant will recognize no income upon grant
of an ISO and incur no tax on its exercise (unless the Participant is subject to
the alternative minimum tax ("AMT") as described below). If the Participant
holds shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO (the "ISO Shares") for more than
one year after the date the option was exercised and for more than two years
after the date the option was granted, then the Participant generally will
realize capital gain or loss (rather than ordinary income or loss) upon
disposition of the ISO Shares. This gain or loss will be equal to the difference
between the amount realized upon such disposition and the amount paid for the
ISO Shares.
If the Participant disposes of ISO Shares prior to the expiration of either
required holding periods (a "disqualifying disposition"), then any gain realized
upon such disposition, up to the difference between the fair market value of the
ISO Shares on the date of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on a sale
of such shares) and the option exercise price, will be treated as ordinary
income to the Participant. Any additional gain will be capital gain, taxed at a
rate that depends upon the length of time the ISO Shares were held by the
Participant.
Alternative Minimum Tax. The difference between the fair market value of
the ISO Shares on the date of exercise and the exercise price is an adjustment
to income for purposes of AMT. The AMT (imposed to the extent it exceeds the
taxpayer's regular tax) is 26% of an individual taxpayer's alternative minimum
taxable income that would normally be taxed as ordinary income (28% of that
portion in the case of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of
$175,000). A maximum 20% AMT rate applies to the portion of alternative minimum
taxable income that would normally be taxed as net capital gain. Alternative
minimum taxable income is determined by adjusting regular taxable income for
certain items, increasing that income by certain tax preference items (including
the difference between the fair market value of the ISO Shares on the date of
exercise and the exercise price), and reducing this amount by the applicable
exemption amount ($45,000 in case of a joint return, subject to reduction under
certain circumstances). If a disqualifying disposition of the ISO Shares occurs
in the same calendar year as exercise of the ISO, there is no AMT adjustment
with respect to those ISO Shares. Also, upon a sale of ISO Shares that is not a
disqualifying disposition, alternative minimum taxable income is reduced in the
year of sale by the excess of the fair market value of the ISO Shares at
exercise over the amount paid for the ISO Shares.
Nonqualified Stock Options. A Participant will not recognize any taxable
income at the time an NQSO is granted. However, upon exercise of an NQSO, the
Participant must include in income as compensation an amount equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise
and the Participant's exercise price. The included amount must be treated as
ordinary income by the Participant and may be subject to withholding by the
Company (either by payment in cash or withholding out of the Participant's
salary). Upon resale of the shares by the Participant, any subsequent
appreciation or depreciation in the value of the shares will be treated as
capital gain or loss.
Restricted Stock and Stock Bonus Awards. Restricted stock and stock bonus
awards will generally be subject to tax at the time of receipt, unless there are
restrictions that enable the Participant to defer tax. At the time the tax is
incurred, the tax treatment will be similar to that discussed above for NQSOs.
Maximum Tax Rates. The maximum tax rate applicable to ordinary income is
39.6%. Long-term capital gain will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. For this
purpose, in order to receive long-term capital gain treatment, the shares must
be held for more than one year. Capital gains may be offset by capital losses
and up to $3,000 of capital losses may be offset annually against ordinary
income.
Tax Treatment of the Company. The Company generally will be entitled to a
deduction in connection with the exercise of an NQSO by a Participant or the
receipt of restricted stock or stock bonuses by a Participant to the extent that
the Participant recognizes ordinary income and the Company withholds tax. The
Company will be entitled to a deduction in connection with the disposition of
ISO Shares only to the extent that the Participant recognizes ordinary income on
a disqualifying disposition of the ISO Shares.
7
<PAGE>
ERISA. The 1997 Plan is not subject to any of the provisions of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and is not qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code.
New Plan Benefits. The amounts of future option grants under the 1997 Plan
are not determinable because, under the terms of the 1997 Plan, such grants are
made in the discretion of the Committee. Future option exercise prices are not
determinable because they are based upon fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of grant.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE
1997 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
PROPOSAL NO. 4 -- RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Company has selected KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as its independent
accountants to perform the audit of the Company's financial statements for 1999,
and the stockholders are being asked to ratify such selection. KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP was engaged as the Company's independent accountants for the year ended
December 31, 1998. Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP will be present at
the Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement at the Meeting if
they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
SELECTION OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of TSI Software Common Stock as of February 23, 1999 by:
(i) each stockholder known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of the Company's Common Stock; (ii) each director and nominee; (iii) the
Company's current Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company's four other
most highly compensated executive officers; and (iv) all directors and executive
officers as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount and Nature of Percent of Outstanding
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership(1) Common Stock(1)
------------------------ ---------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Putnam Investments, Inc.(2) ................ 1,458,219 13.0%
Ernest E. Keet ............................. 984,177 8.8%
Vanguard Atlantic Ltd.(3)
Richard L. Chilton, Jr.(4) ................. 690,000 6.1%
Amerindo Investment Advisors Inc.(5) ....... 664,300 5.9%
Constance F. Galley(6) ..................... 530,418 4.6%
Stewart K.P. Gross ......................... 195,250 1.7%
Warburg, Pincus Capital Company, LP(7)
Ira A. Gerard(8) ........................... 113,454 1.0%
Eric A. Amster(9) .......................... 57,600 *
Robert H. Bouton(10) ....................... 70,520 *
Edward J. Watson(11) ....................... 221,750 1.9%
Dennis G. Sisco(12) ........................ 5,750 *
James P. Schadt ............................ 22,000 *
All executive officers and directors as a
group (9 persons)(13) ...................... 5,013,438 42.3%
</TABLE>
- ----------
* Less than 1%
(1) Based upon a total of 11,232,163 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
February 23, 1999. Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons and
entities named in the table have sole voting and sole investment power with
respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property
laws where applicable. Shares of Common Stock subject to options that are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of February 23, 1999
are deemed to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person
holding such
8
<PAGE>
options for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such
person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person.
(2) Based upon a Schedule 13G dated February 12, 1999. Putnam Investments,
Inc., a Massachusetts corporation ("PI"), wholly owns two registered
investment advisers: Putnam Investment Management, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation ("PIM"), which is the investment adviser to the Putnam family
of mutual funds, and The Putnam Advisory Company, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation ("PAC"), which is the investment adviser to Putnam's
institutional clients. Putnam OTC & Emerging Growth Fund, one of the Putnam
family of mutual funds, holds 639,950 shares of TSI Software Common Stock.
PIM beneficially owns 1,405,249 shares of TSI Software Common Stock and PAC
beneficially owns 52,970 shares of TSI Software Common Stock. PIM and PAC
have dispository power over the shares as investment managers, but each of
the mutual funds' trustees have voting power over the shares held by each
fund, and PAC has shared voting power over the shares held by the
institutional clients. PI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan
Companies, Inc. ("Marsh"). Marsh and PI disclaim beneficial ownership of
the shares of TSI Software Common Stock, as neither have the power to vote
or dispose of, or direct the voting or disposition of, any of such shares.
The address of each of PI, PIM and PAC is One Post Office Square, Boston,
MA 02109, and the address of Marsh is 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, NY 10036.
(3) Based upon Schedules 13G dated January 29, 1999. Includes 869,884 shares of
Common Stock held of record by Vanguard Atlantic Ltd. ("Vanguard"), 20,000
shares of Common Stock held of record by the Ernest E. & Nancy R. Keet
Foundation and 90,543 shares of Common Stock held of record by Mr. Keet.
Mr. Keet, a director of the Company, is the President of Vanguard and may
be deemed to beneficially own the shares owned by such entity. Mr. Keet
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Vanguard and by the
Ernest E. & Nancy R. Keet Foundation except to the extent of his indirect
pecuniary interest therein. Also includes 3,750 shares subject to stock
options exercisable within 60 days of February 23, 1999. The address of
Vanguard is 304 Main Avenue, Suite 290, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851 and the
address of Mr. Keet is 619 Marina Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94123.
(4) Based upon a Schedule 13G, as amended through February 16, 1999. Mr.
Chilton reported sole voting and dispositive power with respect to these
shares. The address of Mr. Chilton is c/o Chilton Investment Co., Inc., 320
Park Avenue, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10022.
(5) Based on a Schedule 13D, as amended through September 23, 1998. Amerindo
Investment Advisors Inc., a California corporation ("Amerindo") and
Amerindo Investment Advisors, Inc., a Panama corporation ("Amerindo
Panama") and together with Amerindo, (the "Amerindo Companies"), are
registered investment advisors, and in this capacity may be deemed to be
the beneficial owners of the securities listed. Clients of the Amerindo
Companies have the right to receive and direct the receipt of dividends and
proceeds from sales of shares disposed of by the Amerindo Companies. No
single client of the Amerindo Companies owns more than 5% of the shares
reported. Amerindo has shared voting and dispostive power over 568,000
shares of TSI Software Common Stock, and Amerindo Panama has shared voting
and dispositive power over 86,300 shares of TSI Software Common Stock.
Messrs. Alberto Vilar and Gary Tanaka, who are the sole stockholders and
directors of the Amerindo Companies, have shared voting and dispositive
power over 664,300 and 654,300 shares, respectively. The Amerindo
Investment Advisors Inc. Profit Sharing Trust (the "Trust") has sole voting
and dispositive power as to 10,000 shares of TSI Software Common Stock.
Each of the Amerindo Companies, the Trust and Messrs. Vilar and Tanaka
disclaim beneficial ownership of all of the shares reported.
(6) Includes 198,586 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable
within 60 days of February 23, 1999, and 25,005 shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of Warrants. This also includes 60,000 shares of
Common Stock owned by Saugatuck Partners ("Saugatuck"), the investment
advisor of which is the husband of Ms. Galley. Ms. Galley disclaims
beneficial ownership of shares owned by Saugatuck.
(7) Warburg, Pincus & Co. is the sole General Partner of Warburg, Pincus
Capital Company, LP ("Warburg") and has a 20% interest in the profits of
Warburg. E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC, a New York limited liability
company, manages Warburg. Lionel I. Pincus is the managing partner of
Warburg, Pincus & Co. and the managing member of E.M. Warburg, Pincus &
Co., LLC and may be deemed to control both such entities. The members of
E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC are substantially the same as the partners
of Warburg, Pincus & Co. Mr. Gross, a director of the Company, is a
Managing Director and member of E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., LLC and a
general partner of Warburg, Pincus & Co. As such, Mr. Gross may be deemed
to have an indirect pecuniary interest (within the meaning of Rule 16a-1
under the Exchange Act) in an indeterminate portion of the shares
beneficially owned by Warburg. Mr. Gross disclaims beneficial
9
<PAGE>
ownership of these shares within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Also includes 3,750 shares subject to
stock options exercisable within 60 days of February 23, 1999. The address
of Mr. Gross and Warburg is 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
(8) Includes 111,750 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable
within 60 days of February 23, 1999.
(9) Includes 56,750 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable
within 60 days of February 23, 1999.
(10) Includes 32,750 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable
within 60 days of February 23, 1999.
(11) Includes 6,000 shares of Common Stock, 128,250 shares of Common Stock
subject to options exercisable within 60 days of February 23, 1999 and
6,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants. Also
includes 81,500 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable
within 60 days of February 23, 1999 held by Mr. Watson's wife, Saydean
Zeldin. Mr. Watson disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares and options
held by Ms. Zeldin.
(12) Includes 3,750 shares of Common Stock subject to options exercisable within
60 days of February 23, 1999.
(13) Includes an aggregate of 620,836 shares of Common Stock subject to options
and 31,005 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants,
including the options and Warrants described in footnotes (3), and (6)
through (12).
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth all compensation awarded, earned or paid for
services rendered in all capacities to TSI Software and its subsidiaries during
1996, 1997 and 1998 to (i) TSI Software's Chief Executive Officer, and (ii) TSI
Software's four other most highly compensated executive officers who were
serving as executive officers at the end of 1998 (the "Named Executive
Officers"). This information includes the dollar values of base salaries and
bonus awards, the number of shares subject to stock options granted and certain
other compensation, if any, whether paid or deferred. TSI Software does not
grant stock appreciation rights and has no long-term compensation benefits other
than stock options.
Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
------------------------------------------------- ------------
Securities
Other Annual Underlying
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus (1) Compensation(2) Options
- -------------------- ---- ------ -------- --------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Constance F. Galley 1998 $225,000 $ 96,454 $ 6,702 20,000
President, Chief Executive Officer 1997 203,538 50,000 4,952 112,500
and Director 1996 165,000 50,000 5,031 --
Robert H. Bouton 1998 $180,800 $ 30,000 $ 8,366 15,000
Vice President, Marketing 1997 164,000 20,000 4,952 --
1996 158,704 20,000 4,900 --
Ira A. Gerard 1998 $160,000 $ 45,000 $ 11,362 15,000
Vice President, Finance and 1997 159,892 26,667 6,417 --
Administration, Chief Financial 1996 146,000 20,000 6,516 --
Officer, Secretary & Treasurer
Edward J. Watson 1998 $160,000 $ 45,000 $ 4,435 18,000
Exec. Vice President, New Business 1997 156,423 20,000 2,889 --
Development 1996 150,000 20,000 2,922 --
Eric A. Amster 1998 $125,000 -- $245,705(3) 15,000
Vice President, Sales 1997 125,000 -- 184,918(3) --
1996 125,000 -- 85,900(3) 36,000
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Bonus amounts are reported in the year paid.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated below, represents the portion of health, life
and disability insurance premiums paid by the Company, and for 1998 only,
the amount of the matching 401(k) contributions paid by the Company.
10
<PAGE>
(3) Includes (i) sales commissions paid to Mr. Amster by the Company in the
amount of $80,982, $178,501 and $233,047 in 1996, 1997 and 1998,
respectively, (ii) $4,918, $6,417 and $12,658 for the portion of health,
life and disability insurance premiums paid by the Company in 1996, 1997
and 1998, respectively, and (iii) for 1998 only, $5,686 matching 401(k)
contributions paid by the Company.
The following table sets forth further information regarding option grants
pursuant to the Company's 1997 Equity Incentive Plan during 1998 to each of the
Named Executive Officers. In accordance with the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the table sets forth the hypothetical gains or
"option spreads" that would exist for the options at the end of their respective
ten-year terms. These gains are based on assumed rates of annual compound stock
price appreciation of 5% and 10% from the date the option was granted to the end
of the option term.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION GRANTS IN 1998
Potential Realizable
Percentage Value at Assumed
Number of of Total Annual Rates of
Securities Options Stock Price
Underlying Granted to Exercise Appreciation
Options Employees Price Per Expiration For Option Term (2)
Name Granted (1) In 1998 Share Date 5% 10%
----- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Constance F. Galley 20,000 5.2% $ 13.70 2/27/08 $172,356 $436,784
Robert H. Bouton 15,000 3.9% $ 13.70 2/27/08 $129,267 $327,588
Ira A. Gerard 15,000 3.9% $ 13.70 2/27/08 $129,267 $327,588
Edward J. Watson 18,000 4.7% $ 13.70 2/27/08 $155,121 $393,106
Eric A. Amster 15,000 3.9% $ 13.70 2/27/08 $129,267 $327,588
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) The options shown in the table were granted at fair market value, are
incentive stock options (to the extent permitted under the Code) and will
expire ten years from the date of grant, subject to earlier termination
upon termination of the optionee's employment.
(2) Potential realizable values are calculated based on the fair market value
of the Common Stock at the date of grant minus the exercise price. The 5%
and 10% assumed annual compound rates of stock price appreciation are
mandated by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not
represent the Company's estimate or projection of future Common Stock
prices or values.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the exercise
of options by each of the Named Executive Officers during 1998, including the
aggregate amount of gains on the date of exercise. In addition, the table
includes the number of shares covered by both exercisable and unexercisable
stock options as of December 31, 1998. Also reported are values of
"in-the-money" options that represent the positive spread between the respective
exercise prices of outstanding stock options and $47.88 per share, which was the
closing price of TSI Software's Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
Market on December 31, 1998, the last day of trading for 1998.
AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN 1998 AND YEAR-END VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Opions In-The-Money Options
Shares At Year-End(1) At Year-End(1)
Acquired Value ------------------------------ -----------------------------
Name on Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Constance F. Galley 1,000 $ 47,875 193,586 108,875 $9,268,898 $5,212,935
Robert H. Bouton -- -- 63,000 15,000 $3,016,440 $ 718,200
Ira A. Gerard -- -- 108,000 51,000 $5,171,040 $2,441,880
Edward J. Watson 24,000 $ 550,750 127,500 19,500 $6,104,700 $ 933,660
Eric A. Amster 8,000 $ 135,000 64,000 51,000 $3,064,320 $2,441,880
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) These values have not been, and may never be, realized and are based on the
positive spread between the respective exercise prices of outstanding
options and the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on December 31,
1998, the last day of trading for 1998.
11
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into agreements with the following executive
officers of the Company: Constance F. Galley, the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer; Ira A. Gerard, the Company's Vice President, Finance and
Administration, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary; Eric A.
Amster, the Company's Vice President, Sales; Edward J. Watson, the Company's
Executive Vice President, New Business Development; and Saydean Zeldin, the
Company's Vice President, Research and Development.
Ms. Galley's agreement provides for an annual base salary of $225,000. Ms.
Galley is also eligible to receive an annual bonus based upon the Company
achieving certain financial objectives for such year. This agreement may be
terminated by the Company at any time for any reason. If Ms. Galley is
terminated without cause, she will continue to receive her base salary for a
one-year period following such termination. In the event that the Company is
acquired by a company that does not continue to employ Ms. Galley, she will
continue to receive her salary for a one-year period following such termination.
Mr. Gerard's agreement provides for annual base salary and a grant of an
option to purchase an aggregate of 144,000 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Gerard
currently receives a base salary of $160,000. Mr. Gerard is eligible to receive
a bonus each year for meeting corporate objectives for such year. This agreement
may be terminated by the Company at any time for any reason. If Mr. Gerard is
terminated without cause, he will continue to receive his base salary for a
six-month period following such termination. In the event that the Company is
acquired by a company that does not continue to employ Mr. Gerard, he will
continue to receive his salary for a six-month period following such
termination.
Mr. Amster's agreement provides for an annual base salary of $125,000 and a
grant of an option to purchase an aggregate of 72,000 shares of Common Stock.
Mr. Amster is eligible to receive a bonus and commissions each year upon meeting
revenue related goals for such year. This agreement may be terminated by the
Company at any time for any reason. If Mr. Amster is terminated without cause,
he will continue to receive his base salary for a six-month period following
such termination.
Mr. Watson currently receives a base salary of $160,000. This agreement may
be terminated by the Company at any time for any reason. If Mr. Watson is
terminated without cause, he will continue to receive his base salary for a
six-month period following such termination. In the event that the Company is
acquired by a company that does not continue to employ Mr. Watson, he will
continue to receive his salary for a one-year period following such termination.
Ms. Zeldin currently receives a base salary of $155,000. This agreement may
be terminated by the Company at any time for any reason. If Ms. Zeldin is
terminated without cause, she will continue to receive her base salary for a
six-month period following such termination. In the event that the Company is
acquired by a company that does not continue to employ Ms. Zeldin, she will
continue to receive her base salary for a one-year period following such
termination.
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Company's executive compensation program is administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation Committee"). The
Compensation Committee has four members, Stewart K.P. Gross, Ernest E. Keet,
Dennis G. Sisco and James P. Schadt. Each of these persons is a non-employee
director within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). None of the
members of the Compensation Committee has any interlocking relationships as
defined by the SEC.
General Compensation Philosophy
The Committee acts on behalf of the Board to establish the general
compensation policy of the Company for all employees of the Company. The
Committee typically reviews base salary levels and target bonuses for the Chief
Executive Officer ("CEO") and other executive officers and employees of the
Company at or about the beginning of each year. The Committee administers the
Company's incentive and equity plans, including the 1997 Plan and the 1997
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition to their base salaries, the Company's
executive officers, including the CEO, are each eligible to receive a cash bonus
and are entitled to participate in the 1997 Plan.
12
<PAGE>
The Committee's philosophy in compensating executive officers, including
the CEO, is to relate compensation directly to corporate performance. Thus, the
Company's compensation policy, which applies to management and other key
employees of the Company, relates a portion of each individual's total
compensation to the Company-wide and individual objectives and profit
objectives, set forth at the beginning of the year. Consistent with this policy,
a designated portion of the compensation of the executive officers of the
Company is contingent on both corporate performance and on the individual's
performance as measured against personal objectives, as determined by the
Committee in its direction. Long-term equity incentives for executive officers
are effected through the granting of stock options under the Incentive Plan.
Stock options generally have value for the executive only if the price of the
Company's stock increases above the fair market value on the grant date and the
executive remains in the Company's employ for the period required for the
options to vest.
The base salaries, incentive compensation and stock option grants of the
executive officers are determined in part by the Committee reviewing data on
prevailing compensation practices in companies with whom the Company competes
for executive talent, and by their evaluating such information in connection
with the Company's corporate goals. To this end, the Committee attempted to
compare the compensation of the Company's executive officers with the
compensation practices of comparable companies to determine base salary, target
bonuses and target total cash compensation.
In preparing the performance graph for this Proxy Statement (see "Company
Stock Price Performance"), the Company used the Hambrecht & Quist Computer
Software Index ("H&Q Index") as its published line of business index.
1998 Executive Compensation
Base Salary
Salaries for executive officers for 1998 were generally determined on an
individual basis by evaluating each executive's scope of responsibility,
performance, prior experience and salary history, as well as the salaries for
similar positions at comparable companies. In addition, the Company's Human
Resources department provided information to the Compensation Committee
regarding salary range guidelines for specific positions.
Annual Incentive Awards
All full-time employees of the Company, including executive officers, are
eligible to receive an annual bonus based upon (i) the total financial goals of
the Company, as determined by the Compensation Committee, and (ii) the
employee's achievement of personal and team objectives, as determined by the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the sole discretion to
determine the individuals who are to receive bonuses, the amount of the bonus
and the weighting between total Company financial goals versus personal and team
objectives when determining an individual's bonus.
Long-Term Incentive Awards
The Compensation Committee believes that equity-based compensation in the
form of stock options links the interests of management and the Company's
stockholders by focusing employees and management on increasing stockholder
value. Stock options generally have value only if the price of the Company's
stock increases above the fair market value on the grant date and the executive
remains in the Company's employ for the period required for the shares to vest.
In 1998, stock options were granted in accordance with the 1997 Plan to
certain executive officers as incentives for them to become employees or to aid
in the retention of executive officers and to align their interests with those
of the stockholders. Stock options typically have been granted to executive
officers when the executive first joins the Company, in connection with a
significant change in responsibilities and, occasionally, to achieve equity
within a peer group. The Compensation Committee may, however, grant additional
stock options to executive officers for other reasons. The number of shares
subject to each stock option granted is within the discretion of the
Compensation Committee and is based on anticipated future contribution and
ability to impact the Company's results, past performance or consistency within
the officer's peer group. In 1998, the Compensation Committee considered these
factors, as well as the number of unvested option shares held by the officer as
of the date of grant. At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, executive
officers may also be granted stock
13
<PAGE>
options to provide greater incentive to continue their employment with the
Company and to strive to increase the value of the Company's Common Stock. The
stock options generally become exercisable over a four-year period and are
granted at a price that is equal to the fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock on the date of grant.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Ms. Galley's base salary, target bonus, bonus paid and long-term incentive
awards for 1998 were determined in a manner consistent with the factors
described above for all executive officers. Ms. Galley does not participate in
any compensation deliberations with respect to any of her compensation.
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) Limitation
Section 162(m) of the Code limits the tax deduction for compensation paid
to certain executives of public companies to $1.0 million. Having considered the
requirements of Section 162(m), the Compensation Committee believes that grants
made pursuant to the 1997 Plan meet the requirements that such grants be
"performance based" and are, therefore, exempt from the limitations on
deductibility. Historically, the combined salary and bonus of each executive
officer has been below the $1.0 million limit. The Compensation Committee's
present intention is to comply with Section 162(m) unless the Compensation
Committee feels that required changes would not be in the best interest of the
Company or its stockholders.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Stewart K.P. Gross
Ernest E. Keet
James P. Schadt
Dennis G. Sisco
14
<PAGE>
COMPANY STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE
The stock price performance graph below is required by the SEC and shall
not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement
incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the
Securities Act, as amended, or under the Exchange Act, except to the extent that
the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall
not otherwise be deemed soliciting material or filed under such Acts.
The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the
Common Stock of the Company from July 3, 1997 to December 31, 1998 with the
cumulative total return on the Nasdaq Stock Market--U.S. Index and the H&Q Index
over the same period (assuming the investment of $100 in the Common Stock of
Company and in each of the other indices on July 3, 1997, and reinvestment of
all dividends).
COMPARISON OF 18 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG TSI INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE LTD.
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) INDEX
AND THE HAMBRECHT & QUIST COMPUTER SOFTWARE INDEX
[THE FOLLOWING TABLE WAS REPRESENTED BY A LINE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL.]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/3/97 7/97 8/97 9/97 10/97 11/97 12/97 1/98 2/98 3/98
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
TSI INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE LTD 100 158 136 147 121 113 106 146 169 196
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) 100 111 110 117 111 111 110 113 124 128
HAMBRECHT & QUIST COMPUTER SOFTWARE 100 111 116 120 117 118 112 116 134 145
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/98 5/98 6/98 7/98 8/98 9/98 10/98 11/98 12/98
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
TSI INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE LTD 244 244 254 256 299 385 349 406 532
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) 130 123 132 131 105 119 124 137 154
HAMBRECHT & QUIST COMPUTER SOFTWARE 145 140 150 142 109 125 121 134 146
</TABLE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
From January 1, 1998 to the present, there are no currently proposed
transactions in which the amount involved exceeds $60,000 to which the Company
or any of its subsidiaries was (or is to be) a party and in which any executive
officer, director, 5% beneficial owner of the Company's Common Stock or member
of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had (or will have) a
direct or indirect material interest, except for payments set forth under
"Executive Compensation" above.
15
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the Company's 2000
Annual Meeting of Stockholders must comply with the requirements of the proxy
rules established by the SEC and be received by the Company at its principal
executive offices no later than January 2, 2000 in order to be included in the
Company's Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting.
COMPLIANCE UNDER SECTION 16(A) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16 of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and
officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the
Company's equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by SEC regulation
to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based
solely on its review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company and
written representations from the executive officers and directors of the
Company, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements were
met during 1998.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board does not presently intend to bring any other business before the
Meeting, and, so far as is known to the Board, no matters are to be brought
before the Meeting except as specified in the notice of the Meeting. As to any
business that may properly come before the Meeting, however, it is intended that
proxies, in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect thereof in accordance
with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN
AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE
SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
