Sam Lepak

Sam Lepak is Head of Growth at Matter, where he spends most of his time talking with the HR leaders, people managers, and founders Matter serves. He writes about recognition, rewards, and employee feedback through that lens — less theory, more what actually works in the teams he talks to each week.

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Employee Surveys
Employee Surveys: The 2026 Guide (Types, Questions, Programs)
The complete guide to employee surveys: the eight types, question design with examples, anonymity, Slack and Teams delivery, response rates, and closing the loop.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
22 Min Read
Employee Surveys
Pulse Survey Programs: How to Run One in 2026 (Cadence, Questions)
How to run a pulse survey program in 2026: weekly, monthly and quarterly cadence, question rotation, anonymity rules, response-rate targets and budgets.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
20 Min Read
Employee Surveys
Employee Survey Programs: How to Build One in 2026 (Types, Cadence)
How to build an employee survey program in 2026: the six survey types, cadence and anonymity rules, a 7-step launch plan, six examples, and a sample budget.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
20 Min Read
Employee Surveys
12 Best Employee Survey Software Tools in 2026: Pricing & Reviews
The 12 best employee survey software tools in 2026, from pulse and eNPS platforms to free form builders, compared on Slack and Teams delivery and verified pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
20 Min Read
Employee Surveys
7 Best Microsoft Teams Apps for Pulse Surveys in 2026
Seven Microsoft Teams apps for pulse surveys compared for 2026: Viva Pulse and Forms against native apps, admin approval, anonymity, eNPS trending and pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
15 Min Read
Employee Engagement
8 Best Microsoft Teams Apps for Employee Engagement in 2026
Eight Microsoft Teams apps for employee engagement compared for 2026: Viva Engage and Viva Insights against third-party apps, with licensing and pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
15 Min Read
Employee Engagement
7 Best Slack Apps for Employee Engagement in 2026
The 7 best Slack apps for employee engagement in 2026, judged on pulse listening, team connection and manager follow-through, with verified pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
14 Min Read
Employee Surveys
7 Best Microsoft Teams Apps for Employee Surveys in 2026
Seven Microsoft Teams apps for employee surveys compared for 2026: Forms and Viva Pulse against third-party apps, tenant admin approval, Viva licensing and pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
13 Min Read
Employee Rewards
8 Best Microsoft Teams Apps for Employee Rewards in 2026
Compare the best Microsoft Teams apps for employee rewards in 2026: Teams App Store ratings, funding models, redemption in Teams, and pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
14 Min Read
Employee Rewards
7 Best Slack Apps for Employee Rewards in 2026
Compare the best Slack apps for employee rewards in 2026: how rewards are funded, whether redemption happens in Slack, catalog reach, and pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
13 Min Read
Employee Recognition
7 Best Microsoft Teams Apps for Employee Recognition in 2026
The 7 best Microsoft Teams apps for employee recognition in 2026, including built-in Praise, compared on admin approval, Teams App Store ratings, and pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
14 Min Read
Employee Recognition
7 Best Slack Apps for Employee Recognition in 2026
The 7 best Slack apps for employee recognition in 2026, compared on native give flow, Enterprise Grid and Slack Connect support, and verified pricing.
Sam Lepak
Sep 7, 2026
14 Min Read
Comparisons
10 Microsoft Praise alternatives: recognition programs that run inside Microsoft Teams, 2026 guide
10 Microsoft Praise Alternatives Compared: Pricing & Features (2026)
10 Microsoft Praise alternatives that run inside Teams, compared on pricing, Teams app ratings, custom values, rewards, and HR reporting. Verified August 2026.
Sam Lepak
Sep 3, 2026
21 Min Read
Comparisons
Best Microsoft Praise competitors ranked for Teams-first companies, 2026 guide
10 Best Microsoft Praise Competitors for 2026 (Ranked & Compared)
Ten Microsoft Praise competitors ranked for Teams-first companies: Teams app ratings, pricing, custom values, rewards, and HR reporting. Verified Aug 2026.
Sam Lepak
Sep 3, 2026
20 Min Read
Comparisons
Microsoft Praise vs. Matter: recognition in Microsoft Teams compared, 2026 guide
Microsoft Praise vs. Matter Comparison: Features & Licensing [2026 Guide]
Microsoft Praise vs. Matter compared: what Teams' built-in Praise does, its licensing, and when to graduate to a recognition program. Verified August 2026.
Sam Lepak
Aug 31, 2026
17 Min Read
Employee Rewards
Top 5 Corporate Swag Platforms for Employee Rewards in 2026
Discover the top 5 corporate swag platforms powering employee recognition programs. Compare their features and use cases to see which suits your needs.
Sam Lepak
May 1, 2026
5 Min Read
Productivity
Kudos That Count: Turn Recognition Into a Skills Portfolio
Learn how to turn kudos and recognition into a skills portfolio that showcases achievements, builds credibility, and supports career growth.
Sam Lepak
Mar 24, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Engagement
Employee Engagement Ideas That Build Safety Culture
Practical ways to boost engagement that support safer habits through recognition, reporting, training, and manager routines that truly stick.
Sam Lepak
Feb 4, 2026
3 Min Read
Employee Surveys
Onboarding Survey Questions for New Hires [2026 Guide]
Discover comprehensive onboarding survey questions for new hires, managers, and every milestone with examples to optimize employee experience and retention.
Sam Lepak
May 28, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
29+ Employee Engagement Survey Providers [2026 Guide]
Compare top employee engagement survey providers with detailed reviews, pricing, and platform features to select the perfect partner for your feedback strategy.
Sam Lepak
May 28, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
Employee Engagement Survey Analysis [29+ Tips in 2026]
Master employee engagement survey analysis with proven strategies. Interpret data and transform survey results into meaningful workplace improvements.
Sam Lepak
May 28, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
49+ Employee Engagement Survey Questions [2026 Guide]
Discover proven employee engagement survey questions that measure workplace satisfaction and drive action. Top uestions to help morale and gather insights.
Sam Lepak
Jun 6, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
Employee Engagement Surveys [25+ Tips & Tools for 2026]
Explore top employee engagement survey tips and tools that measure workplace satisfaction and drive results. Find strategies and software to create insights.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
19+ eNPS Survey Questions for Employees [2026 Examples]
Discover the best eNPS survey questions and examples to measure employee loyalty, engagement, and satisfaction with proven question wording strategies.
Sam Lepak
May 14, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
Master the eNPS Calculation [2026 Guide & 17 Tips]
Master eNPS calculation with proven formulas, methods, and expert step-by-step guidance for accurately measuring employee net promoter scores and loyalty.
Sam Lepak
May 14, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
15+ eNPS Software [2026 Guide with Pricing & Examples]
Discover the best eNPS software for measuring employee net promoter scores with real-time tracking, powerful integrations, and benchmarking capabilities.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
What is a Good eNPS Score? [2026 Guide & 17+ Key Benchmarks]
Discover the best tips for understanding good eNPS scores, key benchmarks across industries, and how to calculate employee net promoter scores effectively.
Sam Lepak
Jun 6, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
13+ Pulse Survey Objectives [2026 Examples & Ideas]
Discover pulse survey objectives that drive employee engagement. Learn key goals, examples, and strategies to maximize your survey results effectively.
Sam Lepak
Jun 3, 2026
6 Min Read
Productivity
Motivate Restaurant Staff with Low-Cost Recognition Strategies
Discover low-cost recognition strategies to motivate restaurant staff, improve retention, and create a positive workplace culture that drives great service.
Sam Lepak
Jun 7, 2026
3 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Role of Recognition in Onboarding New Employees and Students
Explore the role of recognition in onboarding new employees and students, and how it builds engagement, motivation, and a positive culture from day one.
Sam Lepak
Jun 2, 2026
2 Min Read
Employee Feedback
Build a Culture of Feedback to Boost Team Productivity
Discover what a culture of continuous feedback is and check practical tips on how it can improve motivation, trust, and performance in a team.
Sam Lepak
May 11, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
Aligning Company Values with Employee Motivation
How do you cultivate a workplace culture that motivates employees? One company suggests aligning core values with tangible benefits to employees.
Sam Lepak
May 14, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
The Link Between Acknowledgment and Motivation
How recognition affects motivation, productivity, and learning. Practical advice for managers, teachers, and students to increase motivation through acknowledgement.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
Recognition Obstacles to Overcome for Employee Satisfaction
Learn the most common employee recognition obstacles to overcome to retain and recognize them. Show appreciation, support learning, and use modern solutions.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
2 Min Read
Productivity
Best Trends to Adopt from Successful Companies in 2026
Five trends the best companies use in 2026 to boost engagement, retention, and productivity — from continuous recognition to flexible work and employee growth.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
30+ Best Leadership Award Nomination Letter Samples for 2026
Get the best leadership award nomination letter samples and templates. Find outstanding leadership nomination examples and proven letter formats for leaders!
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
8 Min Read