At the end of the year, performance appraisals can be so much about numbers. Number of sales meetings an employee attended during the year (irrespective of the outcome!). Number of times in a year that an employee DECLARED "I am travelling on business". Number of hours in a year that an employee's calendar showed "busy". Number of late nights an employee spent in office during the year (to Gmail, Yahoo (!) and order sumptuous dinner from the nearby restaurant when none was cooking!) Number of times an employee attended office despite ill-health owing to the hard(ly) work during the "late nights". Number of times when late night and early morning responses were "sent from my Blackweary". Number of times in a year when an employee visited a Prada showroom to shop and made it known to all each time he did. Number of times an employee spoke his (bosses!) mind in meetings throughout the year. Number of times an employee went on foreign sojourns (chhuttis, did anyone notice?!) and the "experiences" that were truly world-alas! Numbers. Up. Praise. All.