Acknowledging people for jobs well done keeps them happy. Plan for departures Remain on good terms with departing staff - they may recommend replacements. Give IT staff the new, tough assignments and let them work with new technology where possible. Skills Increasing staff skill levels isn't a threat, low skill development is. Offering long-tem learning and development contracts shows staff they have a future with the company.
Salaries Abandon the idea of rigid pay structures.
Your best people are worth what the competition is prepared to offer them, rather than what the company pay scales say they should be paid.