Stealing AwayWhen a valued employee leaves, controlling the damage may be easier than you think.

Picture this: One day, out of the blue, your key employee, theone you taught, nurtured, championed and confided in, tells youhe's leaving to start his own business--a business that willcompetedirectlywith yours. Just like that, years ofexperience walk right out the door, as dozens of importantcustomers follow this pied piper to a new location.

When an energetic, competent, ambitious employee becomes yourcompetitor, it can hurt not only your feelings but your bottomline. While preventive lawyering can't completely eliminatethis risk, it can do an awful lot to control it.