[firingtest]

Stuff I've tried is mostly about talking, trying different systematic models (time tracking, semi-micro management, constant reporting or leaving them more space, trying to get excited with new technical bits, giving them bonus, cutting their salary etc., pep talk, pissed-off talk)

Many things, not done in exact science although it was obvious what slightly works and what definitely doesn't.

> Also it is hard to work remotely and many people just can't do that.

That's exactly my point, maybe these 5 guys can't handle remoting but I might find new 5 guys who can (just like I already got 3)

[tablet]

>>Stuff I've tried is mostly about talking, trying different systematic models (time tracking, semi-micro management, constant reporting or leaving them more space, trying to get excited with new technical bits, giving them bonus, cutting their salary etc., pep talk, pissed-off talk)

Did you try to share the vision? Set clear goals? Make sure that they really understand and share same values?

To me it looks like you tried to make environment more strict, while it is not the way to go in software development.

[firingtest]

We got clear visions and mottos such as "Be the best technically advanced tool in the field", that's our edge being technically better than other competitors.

But well it's a software and not like we are saving the world or ending war in Middle East, or poverty in Africa. All we do is making a cool software and making something new in the field.

What sort of shared values and clear goals we talking about? To be honest other than obvious clear goals for many startups -make great software, be fresh, be better- (I think) we don't have anything stand out.