India, June 12 -- Here's a strategic story for the new year: John is a salesman at a software firm and earns a salary of USD 2,000 a month. Owing to a general drop in software sales, the company announces that commissions on sales will be paid out only by midyear. John is therefore surprised to see that the company has credited USD 2,500 as salary for November 2024. He rejoices quietly and does not enquire why the additional amount was paid. He is alarmed, however, when he notices that his salary for December is only USD 1,500.

"I'm shocked to see that my salary was sliced in December," John complains to the head of finance. "Why?"

"In November, you received an excess payment and didn't complain," the finance manager replies. "Why?"

"T...