"The window for hiring great people is now open. Excellent employees, some from your own competitors, are now in the job market. A smart objective is to make competitive hires before the window closes and to craft targeted developmental opportunities to retain these top-level employees. Top performers expect mentors, acceleration in their responsibilities, immediate education opportunities, high visibility assignments and good managers to keep them engaged. Plans for hiring competitive edge talent should include talent retention."

"The economy is heading down a rocky road but if smaller businesses know how to take advantage of the situation, focus on their goals, and put a solid team in place, it could ultimately lead to long-term growth and success."

"The winners in this cycle will be those who take the road less travelled, using their unconventional wisdom to create value from adversity, coping with the hard times — and positioning their organizations to reap the rewards when things look up."

"Even in recessionary times, history has shown that gross job creation does not significantly decrease. Successful talent management strategies deliver the twin benefits of lowered costs and increased productivity — which are especially welcome In a constrained business climate."