Guarding the FlockAs the economy improves, how can you keep your employees in the fold?

An economic turnaround is great-but it can bring with it someunwanted stress on business owners. Namely, the war for top talentthat companies saw in the late 1990s will return when businessesstart hiring again. "In the last two years of difficultconditions, a lot of people have been cautious and haven't goneout and looked for a job because the environment was toorisky," says John A.Challenger of Challenger, Gray & ChristmasInc., an outplacement consulting firm in Chicago. "Asthings start to get better, we'll see more people begin to makevoluntary [job] change decisions." Though this year may notsee a torrent of new hires, this is the first time in two yearsthat people are starting to feel they have options outside theirpresent employer, so you need to motivate your best employees tostay.

Challenger notes that good communication with your employeeswill make the difference in who stays and who goes. "Talk withthem, communicate with them-find out what it is that is drivingthem crazy," says Challenger. "Most bosses are obliviousto the people who are unhappy or considering change."