Maybe it's fitting in what is seen as a volatile industry with more than its fair share of ups and downs, but e-business systems company Scient are quite possibly the first to employ a full-time 'chief morale officer', responsible for keeping staff up and motivated.

Having a person devoted to morale and nothing else seems slightly unusual, but maybe realistic in a world where staff turnover and retention is a real problem. Joe Galuska, formerly responsible for recruitment, travels around the world to the company's offices, holding discussions with employees and brainstorming ideas about improving morale. Galuszka sees his role as picking up the feeling on the 'shop floor' - "Our colleagues are our single, most important asset, and we do everything we can to make sure they are the most satisfied colleagues in the world."

The company also has a number of regional morale officers who co-ordinate community service events, parties and handle morale issues locally on a voluntary basis.

The concept may seem very American, maybe a bit too 'touchy-feely' for British business, but Galuszka says morale-building is really as simple as talking to people, rewarding them for jobs well done, and bringing them together in team projects inside and outside of the company. It also seems to work - the company has very low rates of attrition in what is a highly competitive industry. Definitely worth considering, although any volunteers may have to risk recriminations for being 'too happy' on a Monday morning!