If you can get competent people in the door, which in this market is somewhat problematic. I don't think "hard working" can be evaluated in an interview. And as far as getting rid of the slackjaw, there are several people at my current employer that do absolutely nothing and have been for more than a year. I know. Amazing (as I type on an Astros fan board).
Peter Gibbons: The thing is, Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.
Bob Porter: Don't... don't care?
Peter Gibbons: It's a problem of motivation, all right? Now if I work my ass off and Initech ships a few extra units, I don't see another dime; so where's the motivation? And here's something else, Bob: I have eight different bosses right now.
Bob Slydell: I beg your pardon?
Peter Gibbons: Eight bosses.
Bob Slydell: Eight?
Peter Gibbons: Eight, Bob. So that means that when I make a mistake, I have eight different people coming by to tell me about it. That's my only real motivation is not to be hassled; that, and the fear of losing my job. But you know, Bob, that will only make someone work just hard enough not to get fired.
Perhaps a stock option equity sharing program would help?