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Quote "For instance... I had one guy who's a hell of a worker but was consistently 15 minutes late. Once that was going to cost him $10 a day, he hasn't been late one time."
If I had a guy like that the cure is to send him home when he is late. Lose a couple of days pay and he will tow the line or leave. My opinion about bonus's is that they get paid out for going above and beyond not because you do what is expected of your job.
Treat the guys right by listening to them, let them take responsibility for their job, treat them like a valued employee and team member and don't be cheap with coffees, the odd lunch or the occasional beer after a hot day. Sitting down with them during those informal "breaks" and "chewing the fat with them" will net a lot more ideas than any bonus.
In my experience money is not a prime motivator. Respect for your employees abilities, ideas and work ethics is. Give them the leeway to do their job their way. It just might be better than yours. If not they will take your direction but you have to let them try. It is the little things that show this respect. Things like ice cream on a hot day, letting a guy get to the bank when time is tight, lending them a truck when their car breaks down etc.
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Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Beer in one hand - Nacho's in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming : Woo Hoo, what a ride!
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