I am thinking of Thomas Jefferson’s quote, who laments, “ Will they in their enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of Freedom?  Material abundance without character is the surest way to destruction.”

I look around and observe that many companies do tend to have a bad year or two after several good years.  This may also be true on national economies. After a good run, people start to believe in success or their sense of invincibility, and start to acquire bad habits and sloppiness that means  they will for sure lose out to harder working, and hungrier competitors.  They start to think they have earned their stars, and is only keen on harvesting rather than planting or nurturing.

I am having problems now that some people in the company who have been with us for a few years are starting to slack off.  They are not as keen to put in the workhours, or not as keen to please customers.  Many of them are not even keen to learn new ways or improve their skills.  Some don’t feel the challenge anymore.  Unfortunately in this industry, when you are not moving forward, you are moving backwards.  Any ideas how to solve this?