Hi Duane!

You've got some interesting questions!

> 1) How would you stop your top employees
> from taking your idea/ideas and building a
> business of their own to compete with
> you?...

> 2) How would you get them to work for YOU as
> employees for the rest of their lives,
> without ever thinking of leaving?

> 3) Now here's the kicker, how do you do it
> without the Use of Contracts? and Have them
> be very happy to do it?

I would turn the questions around....

What would it take so that I wouldn't leave a business and compete?

I think for me, it would take:

1. A good work environment - one where I was respected and my input was appreciated
2. Good pay, and
3. Some kind of stock option or stock ownership plan - I'd like to be a part-owner of the business (even if my stake was small)....

I think it's impossible to stop everyone from necessarily leaving, but I think you could probably do quite a lot to keep your talent.... :)

> If you could please answer these questions
> and then I'll post my reply to your original
> post.

That's what I think, just off the cuff.... I'd love to hear what else you have to share! :)

- Dien Rice