What are companies doing with regards to 'My Company'

FDM are a very active organisation encouraging any sports activities that help employees to interact in a more social environment. They have football, netball and volleyball teams which employees can get involved in and compete in an informal setting. They also have lots of employees taking part in marathons, bike rides, strong man conpetitions and other various activities which are in aid of charitable organisations.

The key attribute that FDM's leader Rod Flavell has, is the energy, dynamism and commitment towards the organisation and its employees. He believes in a hands on approach and operating in a flat structure environment whereby he and the other directors interact with all levels within the business and sit in an open plan environment. Rod spends time understanding who his staff are, their motivations and encourages internal career progression for high performers ensuring that the company reflects his dynamic approach. This makes the working environment fast-paced, interactive and interesting as it is always changing and adapting to get the most from its staff and to maintain their engagement with the organisation.

Exclusive Hotels always aim to create great hospitality careers instead of just giving somebody a job. Continual learning, development and progression are very much at the heart of Exclusive Hotels, demonstrated by the huge investment that they make into their people every year. All of their teams have the opportunity to attend internal training, receive specialist training by external providers, be sponsored by the Company, as well as receive day to day on-the-job training. Exclusive Hotels are passionate about enabling people to learn more, to deliver more, as well as to develop more and they are able to do this through bespoke training programmes and workshops, as well as personal coaching and mentoring. There are many opportunities for Exclusive People who take responsibility for their own personal development and progression.

Danny Pecorelli, Exclusive Hotel's Managing Director, is a man of great values and principles. He has integrity and operates with transparency and honesty, always warmly greeting team members as if they were old friends - in many cases they are! All Exclusive employees personally know Danny on first name terms and all remain firmly loyal to the Exclusive family. Exclusive Hotels started as a family business and remains so today, 30 years later. Their guiding principles are centric to a family unit, abeit extended, care and respect, hard work and integrity. Look after each other and look after their guests.

They assign each new starter a 'mentor' who coaches each new employee from day one within the organisation. They ensure that the new trainee takes part in each area specific training and on-going development programmes. They have regular contact with the new starter and provide training related support and advice.

Eurostaff Group respect employees' life outside of work: time for family, friends and outside interests/hobbies. Managers have the ability to alter working hours and responsibilities to make working life more flexible. The introduction of the early finish at 3pm on a Friday was a result of realising the efforts of employees. Managers spend one on one time with each employee at least once a week either inside or outside the organisation, in which they discuss personal goals and ambitions, and what they can do to help them reach their potential. Managers set clear key performance indicators for every employee, and are quick to reward high achievements with a market leading incentive scheme including trips to Paris and Las Vegas. Managers and Directors all sit on the sales floor, not locked away in an office. An open door policy is not necessary at Eurostaff as there are no doors. Each individual's opinion and feedback is invaluable and considered. Many approaches and processes were heavily influenced by employee's feedback to managers.

Their approach to reward and remuneration structures is such that an employee's salary reflects the role they fulfil, whilst a variety of bonus mechanisms reflect employees' achievements versus predetermined personal objectives. In addition, all employees are eligible to participate in the Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Plan and a majority of employees are awarded share options under the company's Executive Share Option Plan. Each year shares and options are awarded under these plans to reflect the importance of staff participation, and contribution towards, the success of the company. Over 80% of staff hold shares in the company either by direct ownership or participation in the plans, and the company's approach towards employee equity participation has been recognised by three “ifs Proshare” awards. In 2006 the Share Incentive Plan won awards for best new share plan and most effective communication of an employee share plan and in 2007 won the award for best overall performance in fostering employee share ownership. Furthermore, the recognition apparent in the “Roll of Honour” is further reinforced through a handwritten letter from the CEO acknowledging the nominee's efforts and thanking them for their contribution to the business.

The company regularly brings the entire workforce together in a single business event in which the wider economic environment, the industry marketplace, recent business results and continuing objectives are presented. This is an important event which allows the entire organisation to meet and socialise whether office-based or field-based.

The recruitment industry is highly competitive and can be very challenging at times. As such, it's vital that their employees are appropriately recognised and rewarded for the contribution they make to the success of EMR. While the EMR benefits package is comprehensive, in addition to this they offer on going rewards for meeting and exceeding monthly individual and team targets, as well as on going quarterly and annual rewards for value-based performance. These include bottles of champagne, iPads, extra holiday days, bar tabs, team lunches and the Red Letter rewards scheme outlined above. A generous bounty system is also in place to reward current employees who refer new employees into the business.

Simon Bassett has been the Managing Director of EMR since 2008, shortly after the company was acquired by FiveTen Group. One of the key reasons Simon is admired and respected by EMR staff and fellow FiveTen Group management is his extensive marketing recruitment experience, having worked in almost every role in EMR, from Junior Consultant through to now Managing Director. This positively influences the culture within EMR, reinforcing one of leading by example, visibility and open communication. Simon also focuses on leading by example by continuously developing himself both personally and professionally through an executive coach, and being a key contributor to the UK marketing community. As such, Simon is a member of The Marketing Society and a regular judge at the annual Marketing Week Engagement Awards. He also supports the CIM with career planning and advice to their members and has been a guest lecturer at Henley Business School. Simon is also Vice Chairman of M Squared, the marketing sector group of APSCo - the professional body that represents the interests of recruitment organisations. As part of a commitment to innovation, Simon introduced Marketer's Pulse in 2011, a Twitter feed devoted to the UK professional marketing community which encourages all EMR stakeholders to get involved, including clients, candidates and employees.

They have various social events throughout the year; however, their main focus is the Christmas Annual Awards. These are based solely on their employees; they are given nomination sheets to vote for their colleagues achievements over the year. The winners are announced at the dinner and are asked to accept their awards by the CEO; they are also given prizes and trophies. The winners are invited to functions during their winning year to celebrate their achievements further. They also offer long service awards and even best Christmas decoration awards.

The organisation hosted an EMCAS Extravaganza for staff and partners which included fairground rides, games, magicians and body painting. The event was a huge success and they had lots of positive feedback from staff. As the staff are across three sites these functions help to create community within the organisation.

Their engagement plan comprises many elements implemented in the last 12 months, including a thorough and comprehensive induction programme for new starters. Twice yearly unique “Sharing The Vision” sessions at which they take the entire business off site for half a day to report on progress towards achieving their mission, vision and values. The organisation also holds “Afternoon Tea & Cake with Chairman & CEO” sessions for all new starters. An appraisal programme, refreshed within the last 12 months and their “Client Champion” reward scheme. The leader of Ellis Whittam, Deven Thakrar, is certainly distinctive. It is the unique combination of many traits and qualities that make him distinctive, including his ability to inspire colleagues. His ability to mentor and develop and genuine passion and commitment to achieving EW's Mission, Vision and Values. His tremendous work rate, pace and ambition – all of which are infectious. Deven is also accessible to all colleagues, his active involvement with all teams and attendance at all team meetings. He also has a personable nature, knowing all colleagues by name and taking the time to build a rapport with all of them.

The organisation does a lot to enhance the welfare of their colleagues. They offer many traditional benefits such as a pension, free life assurance, private medical insurance, dental care, optical care, an employee assistance programme, child care voucher scheme, an enhanced service day and unpaid leave package. Ellis Whittam has their own apple trees, colleagues pick their own apples and their committee arranges for those apples to be pressed and bottled. Their home grown organic Ellis Whittam apple juice is then available free of charge for colleagues to drink throughout the winter months. In addition, they have a vegetable patch and produce from it is offered to colleagues with an honesty box. Any funds raised go towards their annual chosen charity. They also organise regular sports competitions including cycle challenges, 'It's a Knockout' and an annual sports day. Taking time out in the fresh air to play and compete together has proven to be hugely successful in enhancing the feeling of wellbeing and morale amongst their colleagues.

Being ISO 14001 certified means that Eland have identified elements of their business that impact the environment. They have produced a policy that ensures they meet stringent objectives according to environmental legislation. The management and adherence to this policy is an ongoing process.

Being ISO 14001 certified means that Eland have identified elements of their business that impact the environment. They have produced a policy that ensures they meet stringent objectives according to environmental legislation. The management and adherence to this policy is an ongoing process.

e.surv are constantly promoting the carbon reduction programme and encouraging their surveyors to reduce their carbon footprint by driving efficiently.

e.surv's leader is inspirational, understanding and passionate about the company. She has a drive to be innovative, to deliver the best possible service to the customers and shareholder value. All of the senior management team have made a greater effort with staff communication and transparency about their strategy.

dotDigitalGroup constantly listen to employee feedback and have introduced a range of initiatives to support employee development and the focus of the new appraisal system is equally weighted between performance and development. The best current example is the offer of matched funds towards an employee's ambition or something on their bucket list. Does not have to be work related - just something that they can evidence will develop them personally. To date dotDigitalGroup have bids for sailing, pilot training, leadership training, drumming, paragliding, engaging a personal trainer and a tandem sky dive.

dotDigitalGroup constantly listen to employee feedback and have introduced a range of initiatives to support employee development and the focus of the new appraisal system is equally weighted between performance and development. The best current example is the offer of matched funds towards an employee's ambition or something on their bucket list. Does not have to be work related - just something that they can evidence will develop them personally. To date dotDigitalGroup have bids for sailing, pilot training, leadership training, drumming, paragliding, engaging a personal trainer and a tandem sky dive.