This chapter introduces some terminology and themes that pervade the book. Compensation is defined broadly to include everything a worker likes about the job. “Strategic compensation” is about managing the compensation system to advance a specific organizational objective, typically profit maximization. The chapter discusses how this relates to talent management, turnover, retention, and employee productivity. Four recurring themes are introduced: (1) “Incentive effects” and “sorting effects (both of which affect the company’s labor productivity) arise when the compensation system is changed; (2) Market competition largely dictates pay levels, whereas employers have more control over pay design; (3) Competition forces employers to care about their employees’ preferences about pay; (4) Bargaining power also affects pay levels. The metaphor of a “3-legged stool” is introduced, in which compensation depends on workers’ desires, skills, and mobility. There’s discussion of what constitutes “fair” pay and the tradeoffs associated with allowing employees to know each other’s pay versus keeping compensation secret. The appendix offers a detailed treatment of nominal versus real compensation.