That's different from a play ethic. The last time I had to look for help was over ten years ago when one of my associates was taken ill.

The work is interesting, varied, and lucrative, but they all know they have to do it. I've never had anyone quit. I've had a couple retire. It's been over 20 years, after all ... and I don't normally engage kids under 45. They haven't had enough experience.

I've tried to hire help on behalf of some of my clients over the years. In one company, in which I was a major shareholder, I interviewed a number of applicants, none of whom appeared able to read and write to my satisfaction. I'd let five guys go because they took time off work when they were behind schedule on their tasks. For a year, I did their work and mine, all the while attempting to replace them, so we decided we didn't need to replace them, and simply reorganized the engineering department. That solved the company's payroll problem. It really saved on meeting time, too.

No, you don't hear much chatter on the phone around here, and you don't see people with iPods plugged into their ears. What you see is people earning their pay.

RE