CNET Networks provide a number of awards to employees including ‘Innovation of the Year' which recognises the teams who are championing innovation across the business and ‘Local Hero of the Year' to recognise the people whose roles in the company are vitally important but a little less centre stage.

CNET provide tailored development plans for their key talent using a competency framework. The focus is on career goals; where the employee is now; where they need to be; the gap in terms of competency and skill set and the training and development needed to help get them there.

Through the 'Living the Values' scheme, employees who have been identified by their colleagues as having demonstrated behaviours that show alignment with the company's brand values are awarded with vouchers.

City & Guilds have recently implemented contribution-related pay awards and added to their benefits package. In addition to existing core benefits, employees can now purchase dental insurance, discounted childcare and retail vouchers and up to a week's additional annual leave, among many other new benefits.

Beyond the normal training budget Cedar try to organise masterclasses and coaching events in Cedar to help enhance employees' skills. They've had senior individuals from the sales, journalism and management worlds come in to talk to people in an informal setting.

In line with the company values, all staff are encouraged to participate in improvement activities as part of Cross Functional Improvement Teams. This gives staff the opportunity to work with and gain an insight into the work of other departments.

CCEA offer a comprehensive volunteering scheme with each member of staff awarded one day per year to participate. The scheme enables staff to become involved in events which have a significant social impact including refurbishing special needs schools and helping disadvantaged youth back to education.

Caunton Engineering try to maintain as much communication as possible through regular newletters, team meetings, Employee Forum Meetings and away days. They are constantly reviewing pay and benefits to ensure they are properly rewarding employees.

To help employees balance their home and working life, staggered working hours can be agreed through the Employee Forum. Caunton Engineering also have an Employee Benefit Trust from which discretionary payments are made to prevent hardship.

Helix RDS aim to provide a pleasant atmosphere where staff can socialise. They have recently installed fresh ground coffee machines and also provide free fruit to all staff and visitors to the office. They also provide corporate membership to local gyms and swimming pools.

Their peer review process provides excellent development opportunities for all involved. Formal technical training is also provided, along with report writing, soft skills and leadership development training as required.

The whole company closes one day a year and goes offsite for a teambuilding day. Fun is also key so they have fun together, at least 4 social events per year are arranged by the company.

Employees at Cairngorm Mountain have free use of a local gym and swimming pool and the company provide free flu jabs on an annual basis. They also run a Cycle to Work scheme.

Butler & Young encourage their employees to develop by providing funding for professional qualifications. There is also structured progression for internal and external training by their training team.

Butler & Young encourage their employees to develop by providing funding for professional qualifications. There is also structured progression for internal and external training by their training team.

Business Design Centre are members of the Islington Climate Change Partnership. A percentage of Company profits is donated to the Morris Charitable Trust and they have defined and are ever increasing recycling targets.

If someone is acknowledged to have provided an outstanding contribution during the year they are presented with an award called the Starburst Award. All staff are also given the opportunity to nominate an employee of the month. The winner receives an extra days holiday.

From serving healthy food in their restaurants to providing head massages, British Gas Business try to help employees live and work happily. They organise regular seminars on different aspects of healthy living and there are specific programmes for people wanting to stop smoking, lose weight or get fitter.

With one team leader to every 11 employees, British Gas Business have close-knit teams where managers develop strong personal relationships with their people. They believe effective managers have to lead from the front and show they understand the jobs of their colleagues.