A while ago I asked this question and have also reviewed this other one.
Now here is the situation:
I live and work in a city that depends on oil, the unemployment rate is high and almost no-one's job is secure!
Our company has frozen raises and hires for more than two years now.
Even asking for extra vacation in lieu of a raise has been rejected.
However, in the past couple of years we have been working so hard to develop two new technologies and it seems like that it has been paying off. We are getting new orders and projects are coming in. When few months ago I asked for a salary review, I was told (again) that the budget is still very tight and we are now getting farther from the panic situation into a more stable position. However in the past couple of weeks I have seen these changes:
Hiring two new secretaries and a new sales manager
Several new super expensive equipment that IMO are not necessary (new cars, TVs, etc)
Now, in management's point of view these maybe completely justified decisions. But my Performance review is next week and I think there is going be the same old "No money in the Piggy" argument.
What is the best way to point out the obvious improvement in the financial situation without being to pushy?
What if I ask for the status of Hire/Raise Freeze policy?
Edit:
Please note that:
During the meeting, my main strategy is to maneuver over my own performance and how it has helped the company to come out of the tough times during as its my best bet.
I just wonder if it helps my case to bring up the evidence for better financial situation. and I DO NOT want to start my sentence with "Hey! I'm not blind....blah blah new TV set.."
As many people have pointed out, the upgrades may not be necessarily expensive, so I will stick to "point #1".