Who is "coming on" to your employees? 

The unfortunate answer is - everyone!  It is not just your competitors who covet your employees - it's also your customers and vendors.  With virtually every face-to-face contact, top executives are thinking, "Could we use this person within our organization?"

With everyone courting your employees, how do you inoculate them from outside, unsolicited offers of gainful employment?

There are hundreds of articles and just as many books written on the subject of employee loyalty and employee retention.  I am going to boil it all down for you - - it's all about the relationship.

What is the number one reason employees decide to entertain an unsolicited job offer? 

My experience says that 90% of the time this decision will be driven by the quality and depth of the employee’s relationship with his or her supervisor or manager.  You say, "It's not that simple."  Maybe it is.

Virtually every industry leader understands the competitive power available through a well-executed and well thought out Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategy. The foundation of CRM is that by knowing your customers in tremendous detail you can anticipate their needs with tailored products and create a competitive advantage. Few doubt CRM’s relevance and impact on the market place.   I would argue that the impact of CRM will pale in comparison to ERM or Employee Relationship Management as it relates to creating a competitive advantage. 

ERM at its core is no different that CRM . . . it is knowing your employees in such genuineness that you can tailor their pay, hours, growth, advancement, retirement plans, education, etc. 

Unfortunately, most managers know more about the needs, wants, and personal lives of their top customers, stockholders or vendors than they do about the very employees who make it all happen every day. 

Embracing an ERM strategy will enable you to know your employees on a macro and micro or individual basis.  However, this knowledge is useless unless acted upon. 

Gather the information and build a mental and physical file on your employees.  Not a "Personnel File", but an ERM file.  What are your employee's needs, wants, and dreams?   Woo your own employees every day in a way that is individualized and meaningful.

As the economy continues to grow, make sure you are not at risk of losing your key talent when they could benefit you the most.  Integrate ERM into your company's strategy.