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11 was approved by 96% of the votes cast. The Compensation Committee continues to believe that our executive compensation policies, practices and programs are appropriate and, in light of the results of the advisory vote, believes our shareholders feel the same. Compensation Objectives We compete for executive talent in the highly competitive, global medical technology industry. We believe that our executive compensation program, which is a key component of our ability to attract and retain talented, qualified executives, should be designed to provide a meaningful level of total compensation that is aligned with organizational and individual performance and with the interests of our shareholders. The Compensation Committee believes that, consistent with the emphasis on rewarding executives for enhancing the Company's growth and profitability (as described more fully in "Why We Chose Particular Performance Metrics and Goals" on page 14), the Company's bonus plans should focus executives on a mix of financially-oriented as well as qualitative goals that reinforce a balance in achieving short-term and long-term goals and are aligned with shareholder returns over time. The bonus plans contain maximums on the payouts that can be earned in any year. The Company's long-term equity incentive compensation program likewise is intended to provide executives with a personal financial interest in the Company's long-term success (as described more fully in "Long-Term Incentive Compensation" beginning on page 18). The Compensation Committee believes that the Company's incentive programs balance risk and the potential reward to executives in a manner that is appropriate to the circumstances and in the best interests of the Company's shareholders over the long term. The principal objectives of our executive compensation policies and practices are to: • Attract, retain and motivate talented executives who drive the Company's success; • Structure compensation packages with a significant percentage of compensation earned as variable pay based on performance, which balances risk with the potential reward; • Align incentives with measurable corporate, business area and individual performance, both financial and non-financial; • Provide flexibility to adapt to changing business needs; • Align total compensation with shareholder value creation; and • Establish compensation program costs that are reasonable, affordable and appropriate. Executive Compensation Philosophy We have an executive compensation philosophy that outlines the objectives of our compensation practices and serves as an ongoing reference for executive compensation decisions. This philosophy specifies compensation elements, defines the purpose of each element and generally expresses the target positioning of compensation levels that we desire to achieve over time. However, since one of the objectives of our compensation programs is to provide flexibility to adapt to the changing business environment and individual considerations, we recognize that there will be variations from our philosophy. In addition, changes to an individual NEO's compensation elements, for example to meet desired market positioning indicated in our philosophy, may be phased in over multiple years. Each year we consider our NEO compensation in light of this philosophy. Our executive compensation philosophy is summarized in the following table. Each compensation element, along with an explanation of how we make decisions about that element, is described in detail under "2016 Compensation Elements" beginning on page 13. Element Purpose Target Positioning to Market Base Salary • Attract and retain qualified talent • Near market median (between 45th and 60th percentile) Bonus Plan • Motivate participants to achieve and exceed annual goals • Provide a competitive target compensation opportunity • Focus participants on key annual metrics • Near market median (between 45th and 60th percentile) Long-term incentives • Align participant interests with shareholders • Balance short-term and long-term decision making • Attract talent by offering a meaningful reward opportunity • Retain key personnel via vesting and forfeiture provisions • Provide opportunity to build stock ownership • Up to the 75th percentile of market, balancing Company affordability Savings and Retirement Plans • Assist participants with retirement funding • 401(k) Plan — provide above-market contributory retirement benefit opportunity • Supplemental Plan — provide contributions for participants impacted by tax law limits on the 401(k) Plan • Exceed general market practice Health and Welfare Plans • Provide employees and families with appropriate levels of coverage and security that are affordable for the Company • Above-market benefit value Perquisites • Appropriate in light of position • Conservative to market Underlying our executive compensation philosophy is the desire to facilitate and encourage long-term ownership of our Common Stock. Our stock ownership guidelines reinforce this element of our philosophy by requiring senior management to accumulate and retain significant stock ownership positions over time. For more information, see "Executive and Non-Employee Director Stock Ownership Guidelines" on page 21. The target market positioning referenced in our executive compensation philosophy provides a framework against which the Compensation Committee evaluates individual NEO compensation decisions; however, the Compensation Committee also takes into account other factors, such as performance, tenure and experience. As a result, there may be variances from the target positioning.