The people a firm can't afford to lose

Every IT services firm has three to five people it quietly depends on. The engineer who knows the oldest client's environment by heart. The delivery lead the biggest account calls first.

Most firms find out exactly who they are the week one of them resigns.

What protects them before that week:

1. A deputy for each: Someone who shadows them, so they can take a real vacation.
2. Pay and recognition that match their weight: If the firm would struggle without them, their pay and title should say so.
3. A real career path: A clear next role with more scope, and a date to talk about it.
4. Knowledge written down: Framed as making them less stuck, not less needed.
5. The stay question: Ask them directly what would make them stay, before a recruiter asks what would make them leave.

The last one costs nothing and is the one most often skipped.

If you run a firm, write those names down this week and check each one against this list.