1. Become the place to be
People want to be associated with success. Constantly promote how great your company is internally and externally.
2. Communicate
Find a way to make sure real communication happens. Make the flow of information fast, frequent and two-way.
3. Recruit professionally
Make applying for a job with you as straightforward as possible. Train your recruiters, not only to recruit professionally and competently, but to be salespeople for your company. Train them to spot talent and recruit people with the right skills and attributes who will help you to move the business forward. Recruit fast - if you don't, someone else will.
4. Have vision
Be clear about what your company's vision and values are. Make sure everyone in your company knows what they are.
5. Be flexible
Discover what your people want and do your best to give it to them. People will trade excitement for flexibility or money for excitement - it's all about what motivates them. Review employment practice with a view to work-life balance. You may need to train existing people to understand and support this.
6. Be supportive
You can't have loyalty unless you are loyal in return. Take care of people in trouble.
7. Manage aspirations
Regularly review progress and find out what the aspirations of your employees are. If it suits the business, ensure they are fulfilled. Be aware that not all talent wants promotion - find out what they do want.
8. Develop your team
Consider using personal coaching for executives or top members of the team. Make sure agreed development happens within the agreed timescale.
9. Stay informed
Know about your people. Know about other people. What are the trends and influences; what's the focus? Understand the issues. Find out why people stay and why they leave.
10. Leadership
Talent flocks to a great leader. Engage the superstars through inspirational leadership. Make sure that the top team members take time out to regularly think about the people.