WELCOM Software, of Harrogate, last year's winner of the Press' Progress Through People title has thrown down the gauntlet.

The firm is defending its title, having continued to invest in the development of its 60 staff at The Exchange in Station Parade, Harrogate.

It is a process which includes "Don't worry, be happy" forms which encourages staff to report any problems and suggest their own solutions, management mood indicators, employee quality surveys, weekly positive message presentations and "dreams to reality" awards.

It continues to work towards further Investors in People accreditation and offers an unusual "relationship agreement" to which each employee signs up a framework to enhance staff relationships and encourage mutual respect.

Performance assessments are now held twice rather than once yearly and investment in Dale Carnegie training aimed at improving "people skills" have been stepped up.

Since March, Welcom has introduced "lunch and learn" sessions during which experienced staff members from various departments pass on their knowledge to others keen to learn new skills.

All of which has helped Welcome to double half-year profits for 2006 over the same period last year, while an increase in turnover of 11.5 per cent is projected between November, 2005, to next November.

This year, the business solutions specialist has been recognised as leading edge in the IT industry after being awarded highly-commended status in the City & Guilds Employer Of The Year category of the Orange Business Awards.

It has also become one of only four companies in the Yorkshire & Humberside region to achieve the Recruitment & Selection model from Investors in People.