Rank Progression Gifts

Army Barracks

"You've got your corner office, so what more do you want?"

"The good news is you’re the only one we’re not firing ... the bad news is you’re the only one to run the department."

Businesswoman Empowerment

"Well, ordinary men have colleagues. Successful men have victims."

In basket-case.

"It's clear to me that you want to go far with this company."

So which rung are you on my corporate ladder?

'Manager. . . Commander. . . Chieftain. . . King!'

Businessman on stilts: 'I had to step over a lot of people to get where I am today.'

"Helen brings home our second, third and fourth incomes."

"You've proven your worth a hundred times over. Let's try for a thousand."

"I've never said this to a woman before, but here goes: We're not paying you enough."

'He got a raise but not enough to help him clear the fence.'

I'm going to practice on you before I start managing other people.

'I like the way you handle responsibility, McWit, so I'm going to blame some stuff on you.'

'A few more years in this job and you'll learn how to delegate stress.'

Working hours.

Man at desk with two in-trays reading 'urgent' and 'too late'.

'The downside to my meteoric rise to the top is that I didn't have the opportunity to step on many people.'

"I just want you to know that promotion, this office, and those Luna bars were mine!"

'You really want that promotion, don't you, Sherman?'

"My report to the board was perfect. They did not understand a word of it and now think I'm smarter than them."

"Be careful what you wish for, Bob, because you just might get it. And if it happens to be what I was wishing for, things could get pretty ugly around here."

The Evolution of the Bonus

"It used to Casual Friday. Now it's Furlough Friday."

CEO du Jour

"My making two million a year, …. It doesn't make me seem 'Mannish', does it?"

'How would you feel about working in a small pond?'

'I started out washing dishes, but when the dishwater tasted better than the soup...'

'Congratulations on breaking through the glass ceiling of the company downstairs. However, I will be sending you a repair bill.'

Career opportunities

"Have you and Tim picked out a name for the career obstacle yet?"

The Corporate Ladder and the Corporate Elevator.

"Work hard, make the sacrifices and in 25 years you could be just like me!"