Carrot Chair

Often when you are negotiating your final compensation package with the HR executive of a prospective employer, you would find him selling you dreams to help you deal with the lower package he had just doled out. He would take you through what your perks would be were you to grow in the organization and become a VP-- a swanky car, a flat on lease etc. What he may not mention, but you'll know is also part of the VP deal is a much bigger cabin with a view.

Once, after such a dream buying ( job buying too, as I had just signed my acceptance of the offer) experience, the smooth talking enthusiastic HR chappie took me along and introduced a few managers and VPs of the Company. I went around, shaking hands, remembering names and in the process making a mental note of cabins with views as well.

During my rounds, I noticed something else too. VPs of this Company besides getting the etc.s described by the glib HR guy, got to sit on huge comfortable chairs, while all other executives sat on a sorry excuse for a chair with a back rest that ended before it began and a hard-as-stone seat disguised like a cushion.

Though shocked at this disparity, I still joined the Company and got the chair reserved for lesser mortals. After a few months of sitting on the chair I finally understood the strategy behind the chair disparity- To grow in the Company, swanky cars and seven figure salaries cant push you as hard as a perennial backache can. This is the juiciest carrot HR could dangle to a new recruit.

I'm gunning for the VP's chair since day one!!