In the Efficiency Expert, straitlaced Errol Wallace (Anthony Hopkins) is an outside expert who helps the owners of large factories engineer massive layoffs, and his next assignment is a small moccasin factory owned by Mr. Ball (Alwyn Kurts) in Spotswood. Kim Barry (Russell Crowe) is a young, ruthless salesman who works for Mr. Ball and threatens to expose Mr. Ball's attempts to save the company through fraudulent practices. Mr. Ball's employees are a family who love and care for one another. After a few days, Wallace concludes that a significant number of workers must be let go, or the business will go belly up. However, he begins to have second thoughts as he experiences the quirkiness and devotion of Mr. Ball's people to their boss and the kindness they also extend to him. Before long, Wallace's fondness inspires him, and he looks for creative ways to turn the company around without firing anyone.