[mathattack]

It’s amazing how many people don’t realize that the Beyoncé concert in the office comes from the same pool of money as compensation. (The company only does it because it’s cheaper than bonuses) And everyone showers Instagram with photos of the show.

[SyzygistSix]

Was that a real thing or was the Beyonce concert hyperbole?

[gmueckl]

Don't know about Beyonce, but it's pretty common for big companies to organize private concerts with big names for their employees. I guess it's a case of just spending enough money to make this happen.

[corty]

It is pretty commmon in departments such as sales, trading or marketing as incentive to e.g. invite $singer upon hitting the years sales target. Or organize a short holiday, visit to a sports event, fancy dinner, something. Seems to spill over to engineering or the whole company in some places.

[xtracto]

As a previous engineer manager this sucks . While sales people get all kinds of bonuses for doing their job. The Engineering team gets a pat in the back because nothing broke down.

[ccmonnett]

On the other hand, sales people are quickly dismissed if they don't meet their goals; it's a double-edged sword.

[SyzygistSix]

I'd have to say that I would prefer the pat on the back to what most bosses consider good entertainment.

[cptnapalm]

Not really related and I don't know about Beyonce, but during the dot com bubble, a company called Pixelton had a party with KISS, Tony Bennett and a reunion of The Who. They went bankrupt.

[dmalik]

At BlackBerry we had Aerosmith, Van Halen, and U2 on different occasions.

[mathattack]

In hindsight could that money have been better spent?

[mathattack]

Real thing. Banks hire politicians for meetings, tech companies hire celebs.