I dissagree that only business value added should be rewarded. Sometimes your manager will come to you with an idea that gets squashed 2 months down the road.

I dissagree that only business value added should be rewarded. Sometimes your manager will come to you with an idea that gets squashed 2 months down the road. I could do great at what i was tasked to do, but did not end up adding any value. You don't hold back from praising their work. That would kill morale. To your second point, i started in the first environment & eventually got a seat. I never resented people who were over there. I saw some friends get there before me and i was happy for them. There was no internal competition, just another nice reward to thank employees. I wouldnt want it to go away even if i lost my seat.