The Blueprint of Power

The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the tall glass windows of Aritra's new office in Salt Lake. The room was spacious yet minimalistic, its only defining feature being a sleek, long table surrounded by simple chairs. The faint hum of the air conditioning filled the silence, mingling with the distant sounds of traffic outside—a reminder that while the world went about its ordinary routine, something extraordinary was about to unfold within these four walls.

Aritra sat at the head of the table, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room where his newly recruited core team had gathered. Ishita stood beside him, her presence calm yet commanding, a silent testament to the efficiency and order she brought to every task. Across from Aritra sat Arnav Basu, his sharp mind already racing through lines of code in his head; Priya Menon, composed as always, her analytical gaze missing nothing; Rajat Kapoor, restless with ideas about processors and circuits; Leena Roy, effortlessly confident, her mind a whirlwind of marketing strategies; and finally, Sameer Khan, quietly observant, his demeanor hinting at the meticulous world of cybersecurity he thrived in.

Aritra leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. The weight of the moment wasn't lost on him. This wasn't just a meeting. This was the genesis of an empire.

"Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice steady, resonating with authority far beyond his seventeen years. "We're not here to build another company. We're here to create something that will redefine industries, disrupt economies, and reshape how the world thinks about technology."

The room remained silent, each member absorbing the gravity of his words.

Aritra continued, "To achieve that, we need more than just vision. We need structure. Departments that will function not as isolated units but as interconnected gears in a machine designed for dominance."

He stood, walking over to the whiteboard that had been set up against the wall. Picking up a marker, he began to sketch out the skeletal framework of the company, his strokes bold and confident.

"First, we'll establish the Research and Development (R&D) Department," he said, drawing a large circle. "This will be the heart of our company. Innovation starts here. Arnav, you'll oversee the Software R&D, and Rajat, you'll handle Hardware R&D. Your job is to ensure we're always ten steps ahead of the competition."

Arnav nodded, already visualizing algorithms and system architectures, while Rajat's mind buzzed with possibilities for microprocessors and advanced chipsets.

"Next, we need a Product Development Department," Aritra continued, drawing another circle connected to the first. "This team will take concepts from R&D and turn them into tangible products. They'll handle prototyping, testing, and refining until we achieve perfection."

Leena leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "What about marketing? No product succeeds without the right story."

Aritra smiled faintly. "Exactly. That's where the Marketing and Sales Department comes in," he said, adding another circle. "Leena, you'll lead this. Your job is to not just sell products but to create a brand that people don't just buy—they believe in."

Leena's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Consider it done."

Aritra moved on, his marker gliding effortlessly. "To sustain growth, we need a strong backbone—the Finance and Strategy Department. Priya, that's your domain. You'll manage investments, budgets, risk assessments, and strategic planning."

Priya simply nodded, her mind already calculating projections and financial models.

"And finally," Aritra said, drawing the last circle, "the Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure Department. Sameer, you'll ensure that our data, systems, and networks are impenetrable. In a world driven by information, security isn't just important—it's everything."

Sameer's eyes flicked toward Aritra, his usual stoicism replaced by a hint of approval. "No one will get past me."

With the structure outlined, Aritra stepped back, admiring the interconnected circles on the board—a visual representation of the empire they were about to build.

"Each department will start with twenty employees," he declared. "Your first task is to recruit them."

The room shifted as the weight of the assignment settled in. Recruiting wasn't just about filling seats. It was about finding the right people—those who would not just work for a paycheck but would bleed for the vision.

"I don't want mediocrity," Aritra continued, his voice sharper now. "We're not hiring just for skills. We're hiring for passion, loyalty, and brilliance. Your teams will be the foundation of this empire. Choose wisely."

Priya raised an eyebrow slightly. "What about compensation? We need to be competitive if we're going to poach top talent."

Aritra turned, erasing a section of the board and writing down figures as he spoke.

"For 2008, we'll offer salaries slightly above market standards to attract the best. For entry-level positions, start at ₹25,000 per month. Mid-level roles will range from ₹40,000 to ₹60,000, depending on expertise. Department heads—apart from you all—will earn ₹1 lakh per month with performance bonuses."

The numbers were aggressive for the time, enough to turn heads and spark interest. But Aritra knew that talent needed more than just money. It needed purpose.

"Beyond salaries," he added, "offer them something no corporate job can—a chance to be part of something revolutionary. Equity options, leadership opportunities, and the freedom to innovate without bureaucracy."

The team exchanged glances, the reality of the mission settling in. They weren't just employees. They were architects of the future.

Aritra capped the marker, his gaze sweeping the room one final time. "You have one month to build your teams. Find the best. Convince them. If they hesitate, make them an offer they can't refuse."

The meeting ended not with applause or fanfare, but with a quiet, unspoken understanding. They weren't just working for a company. They were building an empire. And history would remember their names.

As they filed out of the room, Aritra remained seated, staring at the whiteboard. The circles weren't just departments. They were the blueprint of power. And this was only the beginning.