PPI - Progression, Promotion & Increments

A top notch consulting firm which often advises its clients to articulate its performance management philosophy, compensation philosophy and rewarding talent does its own performance review in the following manner:

While it advocates normalization to be done level wise, band wise, SBU wise etc etc etc., in practice it creates a normalization curve where Manmohan singh of the organization is normalized along the same curve as the Chandmohan ( of the fiza fame) of the organization.

Chandmohan is offended!!! He is aghast that the performance levels for him have been benchmarked to that of Manmohan's. He is furious and at the same time confused at the organization's performance philosophy which pegs the two fellows at the same level. He desparately looks for the ways to understand the predicament thus created. This is when Manmohan, who is on his way to get himself yet another mugful of coffee (afterall it has been a tiring day normalizing himself along the same curve as chandmohan's) meets him . Chandmohan with his confused look is an interesting object to observe for Manmohan. He prods chandmohan to come out with his doubts. Chandmohan who can no more contain his anxiety for he has been already holding on to it for long almost blurts it out to Manmohan.

Looks like now its Manmohan's turn to don that confused look. He is shocked to learn that chandmohan has not been able to read the "much explicit" messages driven by the CLT(Consulting Leadership Team). So he takes pain to explain it to Chandmohan

This has been done to inspire chandmohan to buck up his performance and strive to reach the standards set by and set for Manmohan singh. This will help him create stretch targets for himself.

Chandmohan is surprised that he is told "poor business performance" as the reason for moderated promotions and ratings while at the same time two of the top leaders have been promoted for the same " poor business performance"? Chandmohan is further puzzled by the fact that his GL (Gaon Leader) has told him that CLT does not think that GAON has performed well enough to be allowed to promote those who deserve it the most.

Chandmohan is also muddled by the fact that GAON despite having performed better than the VIDESH team has got a raw deal in fewer promotions and paltry increments. Manmohan singh has this to say "So what if the worst is behind us, a good leader and planner will always prepare for the next round of the worst times" and hence, fewer promotions, lesser increments. Saving to create a warchest to promote the favorites the next year. Promoting favorites creates harmony at top and drives better working relationships translating itself into superior performance of the firm.

Chandmohan thinks that his GL has failed him miserably as he could not corner good share of the pie unlike the VIDESH leader who managed to get the meatiest of promotions and increments for his team. Next he is given to understand that even GL is looking out these days. Chandmohan is heartbroken and needs fiza around. Chandmohan think that with Fiza to support him he shall see the pain through only to realize that Fiza has been promoted.

He now only has other Chandoos of the firm to go back to for solace.

May he get the peace of mind!