Today's Rant:Luxury Dining!

[WA6MHZ]

Since I have a Punch-In/Out kind of job, I don't get to hobnob with the Suits in the front office. But I do get to watch what happens. First, I am annoyed at their business hours. Come in at 9 or more like 10, go out to a 2 or 3 hour lunch, and then after a "tiring" day, go home at 3 or 4. The troops are working 12 hours sometimes to get the product out! Seems like almost every day, clients come to visit. They take a tour of the plant, ( I call them Tourists rather than Clients as they almost never actually buy anything!) Look down their nose at all the busy bees working furiously away to make the deadlines, and chitchat with the other suits about possible business. Then it is time for LUNCH! Oh, they never go to Jack-in-the-Box or Taco Bell. NO SIR! It is off to Ruths Chris, or Donavans for the finest dining money can buy. Each day it is off to somewhere so fancy they need a suit to get in. I'd get tossed out if I showed up in my T-Shirt and jeans. They spend the hours over Martinis and fine 1930s Dom Periogn (or however its spelled) enjoying small talk while never really getting any true business done. Any deals are actually made through email much later on. After dessert and heavy tipping, the bill comes in and they just put it on the company Visa Card, for the secretary to pay. How much was that Lunch?? You say $300 for 3 people?? FOR LUNCH?? But wait! They can bring the customer back to the office, talk nonsense for a couple more hours and then it is time for DINNER! Yes, Back to Ruths Chris to try their finest Prime Rib or Filet Mignon, with more wine and martinis. Meanwhile, I am eating my Chili, the same thing I ate yesterday and the day before.
Here is what happened a few weeks back! Some customers flew in from Israel to complain that their boxes didn't work. The had them shipped here ahead of time and wanted them tested before their eyes. So, after messing around in the front office, they all came out to my Test bench and watched as I plugged each one in. Most worked just fine, passing all tests perfectly. Obviously they had hooked them up wrong in Israel. Then there were a few they blew up. And a couple more they made unauthorized and ridiculous modifications to which prevented them for working. At the end of the day, I had proven that 15 out of 15 units either worked fine or failed due to THEM messing them up. My company was 100% exonerated!! What happened then? It was time for LUXURY DINING! All the executives and visitors went to Ruths Chris for the meal of a lifetime. Now WHO was not invited? The one person who had saved the day and company. I had more chili.

[N2RJ]

Oh that's nothing.

I get to watch TV all day and surf the web at work. I even have a TV on my desk!

But it's okay, because I'm in the business. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N4CYA]

That's life in the fast lane! Once you become a President/Ceo/First Officer and the higher rankings you get to wine & dine at all the major upper class restraunts. Believe me they probably have more of a harder job than anyone else because they have to make decisions about what goes on in the business and what they need to do to please the cliental to make them look good

[KD6NIG]

Someone is paying.

Just not them http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[NA4BH]

MHZ,

I agree with you, but, if the "Suits" didn't smooze these people, there might not be a need for the workers to make a deadline.

I see that happen too, $200.00 bottles (plural) of wine with that dinner. I guess Mel Brooks said it best, "It's good to be the King". http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[n2ize]

I've seen plenty of that type behavior down on Wall Street. I even got to participate in it. You don't even have to be a top level CEO. As soon as the suits in upper management decide your job is "important enough" to let you start rubbing elbows suddenly you find yoursel being invited to luncheons and dinners. What's more is that there is always an excuse for yet another luncheon or dinner. Not to mention every time a "distinguished guest" shows up for this that or the other thing he/she must be properly wined and dined. And no, there were no bag lunches, Mickey D's, or Burger Kings.

[n2ize]

Quote[/b] (N4CYA @ Nov. 13 2007,14:02)]That's life in the fast lane! #Once you become a President/Ceo/First Officer and the higher rankings you get to wine & dine at all the major upper class restraunts. #Believe me they probably have more of a harder job than anyone else because they have to make decisions about what goes on in the business and what they need to do to please the cliental to make them look good
Look at it this way. When you are in a big town and you're an important guy in a suit it ain;t easy to figure out what exclusive resturant you will dine at or, what vintage you'll order with the dinner. Those are tough decisions that the average working lout simply cannot make. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[AE6IP]

Quote[/b] (wa6mhz @ Nov. 13 2007,13:45)]Now WHO was not invited? The one person who had saved the day and company. I had more chili.
You work for the wrong company.

Any place I've ever been you probably wouldn't have gone to dinner with the suits but you would have been otherwise amply rewarded.

Unless, of course, you 'exonerated' your company in a way that caused a major customer to stop or greatly reduced business with your company.

Of course, your description screams "defense contractor". That wouldn't happen to be the case, would it?

[ad4mg]

This is Corporate America ... amplified by the tactics of the bush administration. It is exactly the corporate environment that the NeoCons wanted, now that they have it, they don't seem to like it too well.

Remember, the "suits" you speak of with such disdain were the nice people who benefited the most from bush tax cuts. Trickle-down economics. Don't worry, they're concerned about you, and will give you exactly what they think you deserve.

The survival of the fittest. Dog eat dog. Capitalism - NeoCon style!

Enjoy. It's what you asked for when you pulled the lever with the {R} next to the candidate's name.

Ain't it Great?



EDIT: Allow me to add that it would be no better under the dimocraps. They would have the "suits" in such an uproar with new and improved taxes that they would take it out on the employees. At least under the repugnentcraps, you have a job to be abused and ignored at.

<span style='color:gray'>&quot;&quot;United States of America&quot;. Area: 3,700,000 sq miles
Population: 301,139,947 (July 2007 est.)
Government: Two Party Corporate Political Crime Syndicate
Chief Exports: War and Misery</span>

[WA6MHZ]

Quote[/b] (AE6IP @ Nov. 13 2007,16:03)]Quote[/b] (wa6mhz @ Nov. 13 2007,13:45)]Now WHO was not invited? #The one person who had saved the day and company. #I had more chili.
You work for the wrong company.

Any place I've ever been you probably wouldn't have gone to dinner with the suits but you would have been otherwise amply rewarded.

Unless, of course, you 'exonerated' your company in a way that caused a major customer to stop or greatly reduced business with your company.

Of course, your description screams &quot;defense contractor&quot;. That wouldn't happen to be the case, would it?
Thanks, this company is the very dregs of business, where I am THANKED by being allowed to continue working another week. They are so close to bankruptcy and demise, yet the boss spends money like a drunken sailor. Another thing that annoys me is all his time here at work is spent doing money market deals overseas and nothing to do with the actual running of this company. That is probably why we are still in business. All the shady deals are keeping this afloat. But it's kind of a deal where I am told &quot;accept this life or deal with terminal unemployment!&quot; That was what I was expressing on another thread. My industry has been sold off to overseas workers who are thrilled to make a quarter an hour. The Defense industry is the only hope for Electronics here stateside, yet even the companies who get those contracts subcontract out all the subassemblies and PCBs to Mexico, Taiwan and Malaysia. It used to be the USA was the dominant industrial nation, but now the playing field has leveled out. If anything, it seems USA is going down the toilet in Hi Tech. They just can't compete with the low wages overseas. Most folks in my age range are a &quot;suit&quot; by now and ready for a great retirement. It just seems the management knows they have the US workers under their thumb and can get away telling them to &quot;shut up and get back to work&quot; knowing they will do as they say. The worker is indeed lucky to have a job at all, any job! &quot;Don't like working on the Test Bench? The only other job you qualify for is out there in the Strawberry fields picking them all day long!&quot; No, I don't want to pick strawberries! My back hurts just thinking about it!

[N4CYA]

Quote[/b] (n2ize @ Nov. 13 2007,08:43)]Quote[/b] (N4CYA @ Nov. 13 2007,14:02)]That's life in the fast lane! Once you become a President/Ceo/First Officer and the higher rankings you get to wine &amp; dine at all the major upper class restraunts. Believe me they probably have more of a harder job than anyone else because they have to make decisions about what goes on in the business and what they need to do to please the cliental to make them look good
Look at it this way. When you are in a big town and you're an important guy in a suit it ain;t easy to figure out what exclusive resturant you will dine at or, what vintage you'll order with the dinner. Those are tough decisions that the average working lout simply cannot make. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
But it all depends on the person in the suit if they want to live that and dine at a major class restraunt then let the people do so. I always wondered what a top paying official like a President/CEO/First Officer do at their job at the office?

[KC2ESD]

Well I have to confess: While I was in Virginia I ate at some good chain Restaurants such as Applebees, Red Robin, TGI Friday's, Ruby Tuesdays, Unos, and Famous Dave's BBQ. I paid out of my pocket but I got reimbursed for all that good eating, Hotel, tolls, and Milage for my car. I got back over 2K for a 3 week period while going to school. I had a good time in 4 land. If you want the bennies for the Suits then go to School and Learn something. Then you will be wearing a suit and enjoying some good Dining. I know, my Dad did when he was alive and was a Vice-President of a Atlantic City Casino during the 1980s.

73 de Rick KC2ESD following in my Fathers footsteps

[KC9JIQ]

Quote[/b] (n2ize @ Nov. 13 2007,14:43)]Quote[/b] (N4CYA @ Nov. 13 2007,14:02)]That's life in the fast lane! #Once you become a President/Ceo/First Officer and the higher rankings you get to wine &amp; dine at all the major upper class restraunts. #Believe me they probably have more of a harder job than anyone else because they have to make decisions about what goes on in the business and what they need to do to please the cliental to make them look good
Look at it this way. When you are in a big town and you're an important guy in a suit it ain;t easy to figure out what exclusive resturant you will dine at or, what vintage you'll order with the dinner. Those are tough decisions that the average working lout simply cannot make. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Oh yes this lout can!!

FOUR WORDS: Ruth's Chris Steak House



http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[K0RGR]

Well, I'll tell you - years ago, I was in very much the same boat. I had been an electronics tech for many years, and got the opportunity to move into Manufacturing Engineering. Then, I got a great opportunity to move to the wonderful world of marketing - a better fit for the Business degree I'd earned going to school at night for many years.

I spent two years in school learning how to use technical knowledge and a lot of schmaltz to schmooze the customers.

Before long, I was flying CEO's and CIO's to conferences in Palm Springs, Miami Beach, and countless other destinations. Not many McD's dollar burgers in my diet when I was with customers! No, it was often the best steaks my employer could buy. Ever watch &quot;The Apprentice&quot;? It reminds me of those years very much.

But it had its' downside. Pinstriped Brooks Brother's suits are not cheap, and neither are the well polished wingtip shoes. I actually didn't make any more money than I had before, except for mileage reimbursements. I averaged over 100 hours a week, and was in very serious need of stress counseling. My wife and kids wondered who this stranger was, and at one point, my body about shut down for good.
I still loathe flying even though I was a pilot years ago.

Perhaps the worst part of that experience was the year that I won the Regional Manager's Award as the top contributing sales engineer in the Midwest for practically living in a customer's shop, answering every tiny question, for about 16 hours a day for a year. I also got the worst performance appraisal of my life, because while I was in California, one of my customers had a big problem in Iowa and somebody else had to take care of them for me.

So, realize that there are 'suits' and there are 'suits' and some of those people are desperate grunts trying to just earn a living, too.

[N4CYA]

Quote[/b] (KC9JIQ @ Nov. 13 2007,12:53)]Quote[/b] (n2ize @ Nov. 13 2007,14:43)]Quote[/b] (N4CYA @ Nov. 13 2007,14:02)]That's life in the fast lane! Once you become a President/Ceo/First Officer and the higher rankings you get to wine &amp; dine at all the major upper class restraunts. Believe me they probably have more of a harder job than anyone else because they have to make decisions about what goes on in the business and what they need to do to please the cliental to make them look good
Look at it this way. When you are in a big town and you're an important guy in a suit it ain;t easy to figure out what exclusive resturant you will dine at or, what vintage you'll order with the dinner. Those are tough decisions that the average working lout simply cannot make. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Oh yes this lout can!!

FOUR WORDS: Ruth's Chris Steak House



http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
In Nashville there's a place called Stockyard it's one of best steak places I ever ate before but it's really expensive same with the drinks &amp; wine. The dress code is suit &amp; coat

[W8EFA]

No offense but Quit yer crying.

If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status. You don't like your job? Quit and go somewhere else.

I have been on both sides and wining and dining and trying to influence someone to sign a big contact with you as opposed to 10 other companies is very, very HARD!

RGR said it very well as he usually does.

[kf6rdn]

As a &quot;decision maker&quot; in IT I get wined and dined by venders, I usually pick a mexican joint that has great food though, more so then expensive.
Not to mention a bar with alot of &quot;hawties&quot;.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KI4PEQ]

Quote[/b] (KC9JIQ @ Nov. 13 2007,19:53)]Quote[/b] (n2ize @ Nov. 13 2007,14:43)]Quote[/b] (N4CYA @ Nov. 13 2007,14:02)]That's life in the fast lane! #Once you become a President/Ceo/First Officer and the higher rankings you get to wine &amp; dine at all the major upper class restraunts. #Believe me they probably have more of a harder job than anyone else because they have to make decisions about what goes on in the business and what they need to do to please the cliental to make them look good
Look at it this way. When you are in a big town and you're an important guy in a suit it ain;t easy to figure out what exclusive resturant you will dine at or, what vintage you'll order with the dinner. Those are tough decisions that the average working lout simply cannot make. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Oh yes this lout can!!

FOUR WORDS: Ruth's Chris Steak House



http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Steak cuts like buttah....the service is first rate, so what if dinner for my family cost a tad over $800. I didn't have to pay for it! My sister's investment banker boyfriend INSISTED!

There are some things you just accept as good fortune. Sipping $20 cocktails on someone elses American Express card is one of those things.

[K1VSK]

To put it bluntly, it's not how hard you work - it's how smart

[K2WH]

Quote[/b] (n2ize @ Nov. 13 2007,10:41)]I've seen plenty of that type behavior down on Wall Street. I even got to participate in it. #You don't even have to be a top level CEO. As soon as the suits in upper management decide your job is &quot;important enough&quot; to let you start rubbing elbows suddenly you find yoursel being invited to luncheons and dinners. # What's more is that there is always an excuse for yet another luncheon or dinner. #Not to mention every time a &quot;distinguished guest&quot; shows up #for this that or the other thing he/she must be properly wined and dined. And no, there were no bag lunches, Mickey D's, or Burger Kings.
Wall Street? You don't need no stinkin Wall Street. I'm a lowly electrical engineer and I get the free lunches and make my own agenda and my own time.

Depends on your title and importance to the overall business not how close you are to the top men.

K2WH

[n9yb]

Quote[/b] ]Thanks, this company is the very dregs of business, where I am THANKED by being allowed to continue working another week. They are so close to bankruptcy and demise, yet the boss spends money like a drunken sailor.


This is America. Find another place to work or start your own thing.

There is absolutely no reason for you to prolong your suffering. Make a change. It sounds like it couldn't get any worse.

[K7FE]

Read and apply the information in this book.
Up your own organization!

It should be available in your local library.

73,
Terry, K7FE

[W1GUH]

Quote[/b] (W8EFA @ Nov. 12 2007,21:21)]No offense but Quit yer crying.

If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status. You don't like your job? Quit and go somewhere else.

I have been on both sides and wining and dining and trying to influence someone to sign a big contact with you as opposed to 10 other companies is very, very HARD!

RGR said it very well as he usually does.
Quote[/b] ]If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status.

What a simplistic, neo-con statement.

Many place you've got to be born into that level.

[KB1KIX]

Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Nov. 23 2007,09:08)]Many place you've got to be born into that level.
Bull.

If you want it, you have to work for it.

Many immigrants that come here with nothing prove that time and time again.

Jonathan

[KB1PLB]

You don't get invited to hang out with the office types because you eat chili every day. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[K2WH]

Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Nov. 23 2007,02:08)]Quote[/b] (W8EFA @ Nov. 12 2007,21:21)]No offense but Quit yer crying. #

If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status. #You don't like your job? Quit and go somewhere else. #

I have been on both sides and wining and dining and trying to influence someone to sign a big contact with you as opposed to 10 other companies is very, very #HARD!

RGR said it very well as he usually does.
Quote[/b] ]If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status.

What a simplistic, neo-con statement.

Many place you've got to be born into that level.
What a BS and Liberal statement. #Apparently this is how liberals think. #I started with nothing and got to be in very high regard in my current company. #Grew up in the Jersey City ghetto also. There is a local contractor around here and all his trucks display this motto &quot;Ambition is the Answer&quot;. This is exactly right.

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm caucasian. #I forgot thats why I was successful.

K2WH

[KB1KIX]

Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Nov. 23 2007,09:33)]Oh, I'm sorry, I'm caucasian. I forgot thats why I was successful.

K2WH
Yeah.... that must be it for me too.

Neighborhood I grew up in was as ghetto as they come.

Kinda reminds me of that old Eddie Murphy skit on Saturday Night Live where he makes him out to see what it's like to live as a white guy.

Funny stuff.

Jonathan

[N8UZE]

Quote[/b] (ad4mg @ Nov. 13 2007,18:21)]This is Corporate America ... amplified by the tactics of the bush administration. #It is exactly the corporate environment that the NeoCons wanted, now that they have it, they don't seem to like it too well.

Remember, the &quot;suits&quot; you speak of with such disdain were the nice people who benefited the most from bush tax cuts. #Trickle-down economics. #Don't worry, they're concerned about you, and will give you exactly what they think you deserve.

The survival of the fittest. #Dog eat dog. #Capitalism - NeoCon style!

Enjoy. #It's what you asked for when you pulled the lever with the {R} next to the candidate's name.

Ain't it Great?



EDIT: #Allow me to add that it would be no better under the dimocraps. #They would have the &quot;suits&quot; in such an uproar with new and improved taxes that they would take it out on the employees. #At least under the repugnentcraps, you have a job to be abused and ignored at.

<span style='color:gray'>&quot;&quot;United States of America&quot;. Area: 3,700,000 sq miles
Population: 301,139,947 (July 2007 est.)
Government: Two Party Corporate Political Crime Syndicate
Chief Exports: War and Misery</span>
This has been going on since day one in the business world and has nothing to do with the current administration or any other administration.

It will happen regardless of tax cuts or tax increases. Might even get worse with tax increases since business entertaining is tax deductable AND everyone will also be scrambling to get more of the business in their field since now they have to have more sales to have the same net returns.

To blame this on any party or the current times is simply unrealistic.

[ad4mg]

Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Nov. 23 2007,08:33)]Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Nov. 23 2007,02:08)]Quote[/b] (W8EFA @ Nov. 12 2007,21:21)]No offense but Quit yer crying.

If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status. You don't like your job? Quit and go somewhere else.

I have been on both sides and wining and dining and trying to influence someone to sign a big contact with you as opposed to 10 other companies is very, very HARD!

RGR said it very well as he usually does.
Quote[/b] ]If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status.

What a simplistic, neo-con statement. (stereotype)

Many place you've got to be born into that level.
What a BS and Liberal statement. (stereotype) Apparently this is how liberals think. (stereotype) I started with nothing and got to be in very high regard in my current company. Grew up in the Jersey City ghetto also.

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm caucasian. I forgot thats why I was successful.

K2WH

Today's work environment can be difficult. Many factors come into play, none of which are addressed by the stereotypical rhetoric above.

You can find success by making yourself productive and cost effective, or you can achieve success at the expense of others.

The former usually offers a more permanent and fruitful solution, the latter much less so.

If you work for a company that does not recognize your contributions, it's time to consider a change, but first, you'd best examine closely your contributions, as they may not be what you think they are. Many people in my industry fancy their abilities as extraordinary, only to discover that they are pretty ordinary in the big picture. That is probably true to some extent throughout the workplace.

I believe the neoconservative mindset has made it acceptable for the less qualified to succeed at the expense of others. The engineering field is a prime example. When I started in the construction industry in 1974, jobs were fully engineered, and the chief engineer on the project was typically a fellow who knew his stuff, and it was best not to attempt any foolishness with this guy. These days, construction projects come off the boards 60% engineered, and these are the good ones. The construction management firm running the job usually has dozens of &quot;engineers&quot; on site, few who know how to do anything but be company bean counters. I have declined numerous offers from these types of firms, as I refuse to make a living by making the lives of others miserable, and my experience in the field makes me highly sought after. I could probably double my income by accepting such an offer. I choose to work for one of our local contractors, where I can make a good living based on what I know, and what I do well.

And you can label that paragraph as stereotypical if you wish, but I believe you (Bill), have been an electrical engineer for quite some time, and will not dispute what I'm speaking about. An &quot;electric train driver&quot;, if you will! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[W1GUH]

Quote[/b] (K2WH @ Nov. 22 2007,07:33)]Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Nov. 23 2007,02:08)]Quote[/b] (W8EFA @ Nov. 12 2007,21:21)]No offense but Quit yer crying.

If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status. You don't like your job? Quit and go somewhere else.

I have been on both sides and wining and dining and trying to influence someone to sign a big contact with you as opposed to 10 other companies is very, very HARD!

RGR said it very well as he usually does.
Quote[/b] ]If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status.

What a simplistic, neo-con statement.

Many place you've got to be born into that level.
What a BS and Liberal statement. Apparently this is how liberals think. I started with nothing and got to be in very high regard in my current company. Grew up in the Jersey City ghetto also. There is a local contractor around here and all his trucks display this motto &quot;Ambition is the Answer&quot;. This is exactly right.

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm caucasian. I forgot thats why I was successful.

K2WH
It is, to a large degree. But it takes far more than being Caucasian. You've got to look the part, talk the part, walk the part and be &quot;just like them.&quot;

But they pay the price. Most of the suits do absolutely nothing all day 'cept sit in meetings where everybody admires everyone else's penis and no real work gets done. Their wives hate them and their kids don't respect them and they're probably popping so many pills that their life is a blur.

[KI4PEQ]

Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Nov. 23 2007,07:08)]Quote[/b] (W8EFA @ Nov. 12 2007,21:21)]No offense but Quit yer crying. #

If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status. #You don't like your job? Quit and go somewhere else. #

I have been on both sides and wining and dining and trying to influence someone to sign a big contact with you as opposed to 10 other companies is very, very #HARD!

RGR said it very well as he usually does.
Quote[/b] ]If you want to luxury dine and live the executive life then make yourself more valuable and attain key employee status.

What a simplistic, neo-con statement.

Many place you've got to be born into that level.
Not so.

My father didn't even have a high school education. He was kicked out for being MARRIED. He worked hard, got a diploma in night school, and got to the executive level through luck. The harder he worked, the luckier he got. When he left the company he worked for for 22 years after they were bought out, the so called smart boys with MBAs took that company which was making money hand over fist and drove it into bankruptcy in three years. Many of those MBA types were 'born' into their positions.

Not everyone gets to the top by wealth and privilege alone. Many at the top find themselves at the bottom because they never really learned business or the value of a dollar.