On Or Off The Person, An Empty Suit Still Is

"Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul."

Alexander Pope

18th century English poet

Whatever gets you in the room.

But once in, you need to perform.

(Fill In The Blank) vs. Fast

"A good and faithful judge always prefers the honorable to the expedient."

Horace

1st century BC Latin poet

Substitute any number of adjectives for "honorable" and this works in many situations.

Accurate, correct, fair, efficient, timely, effective, etc.

All and more like them, qualities we should emphasize in business more than expedient.

Laziness: What Would Monty Burns Do?

"Look at them, Smithers. Goldbrickers.. Layabouts.. Slug-a-beds! Little do they realize their days of suckling at my teat are numbered."

Montgomery Burns
The Simpsons

Being a cartoon character Mr. Burns can simply fire those he feels are lazy "Slug-a-beds" but what about the rest of us? How do you determine what is acceptable performance and when you have an employee that does not meet that standard what do you do? I understand the need to document behavior prior to termination presuming it comes to that but I'm more interested in what (if?) you do to remedy the situation.