Reality Check : the Corporate way

His heart was pounding faster than an Alstom AGV, his brain busy in the permutations and combination, his eyes searching for the faintest clue there could be, Ram Lal was in a well of tension. The HR from Alstom had the list of candidates placed in his hand. He started announcing the names starting from Mechanical followed by Electrical & ECE. Ram had his fingers crossed throughout. His name was announced second to last. The leap of victory finally. His Michael Schumacher impersonation showing off his delight. Alstom transport calling.What conspired next was the least he expected.

Reality Check No. 1:

Corporate life always appealed to him. He often dreamt of how life would be at Alstom in Noida with his 'peers'. The first few months were nothing less than awesome. Stay at a 4 star hotel with other GETs, 'mastee' all the time, classes, bunks, it seemed like college all over again. On the day of department allocation, he was least worried. "Alstom transport calling", he kept repeating. But not to be. He was sent to PAC Power on account that Transport dept was full. A kick in the nuts it seemed.

Reality Check No. 2:

Power Automation & Controls (PAC) had a jovial feel about it. Friendly faces, smiles all around. Work seemed to be a synonym for fun. Ram was given the project management profile. Good he thought, maybe MBA is what is in his fate. During the orientation, he was told about the various projects he would be a part of, directly and indirectly. With a victorious feel in his mind, he waited for his first project to begin, directly or indirectly. But not to be. He was free (on the bench in IT) for 6 months.

Reality Check No. 3:

After a wait of about 7 months, Ram was told that he was now the PM (Project Manager for you engineers to comply) of a small but highly demanding project. He prepared himself for the challenge: burnt midnight oil learning the processes, clarified his queries through his peers, made a special folder in his mail with the Project Name. He was all ready to go to his first meeting to Baroda for the Kick Off of the Project. But not to be. He was told that he was new and did not know the processes, so the initial phase would be handled by the 'old' PM and later Ram would pitch in.

Reality Check No. 4:

Ram had gradually 'pitched in' the project. Looking after all the activities. Interfacing between various departments, suppliers and the client. His Boss was delighted, impressed actually with his work. Along with management, Ram was now asked to look after Planning, a major aspect of the department. He knew he was getting the importance, the recognition he deserved, the appropriate work, both in quality and quantity. But not to be. What he did not realize was that he was just being fed before the cruel slaughter. Soon a PM resigned and his 3 projects were assigned to Ram. Game over. Initially he tried, actually performed well looking after all the projects. But eventually it was too much for him. Projects went haywire, chaos and confusion was what followed. Ram became insomniac, high BP was his new achievement. Finally he gave in to the pressure.

Ram Lal was a good man.