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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Comparisons
10 HeyTaco Alternatives: Pricing & Reviews [2026 Guide]
Discover top HeyTaco alternatives to enhance employee recognition. Explore features, pricing, and reviews to find the best fit for your team. Try Matter for free today!
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Comparisons
10 Best Nectar Alternatives for 2026 (Ranked & Compared)
Looking for a Nectar alternative? Compare the 10 best employee recognition platforms on pricing, features, and real reviews to find the right fit for your team.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Rewards
13+ Employee Rewards Platforms in 2026 [Complete Guide]
Trying to find an employee rewards platform? Read this complete guide to learn about platforms that will motivate, inspire, and engage employees.
Sam Lepak
May 5, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Rewards
Employee Rewards Program Guide: Types, Examples and Costs for 2026
How to design, fund, launch and measure an employee rewards program in 2026: reward types, weekly vs monthly allowances, tax, budgets and examples.
Sam Lepak
May 5, 2026
20 Min Read
Employee Recognition
10 Best Employee Birthday Apps [2026 Pricing & Reviews]
Deciding on birthday apps? Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to help you make the best decision for your company.
Sam Lepak
May 30, 2026
7 Min Read
Comparisons
11+ Bonusly Alternatives Compared: Pricing & Features (2026)
Looking for a Bonusly alternative? Compare the top employee recognition and rewards platforms on pricing, features, and real user reviews for 2026.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Rewards
#1 Guide to Building a Rewards System in 2026 [10 Programs]
Create a culture that people won’t leave with a successful rewards system that makes people feel appreciated, celebrated, and motivated.
Sam Lepak
May 5, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
13 Kudos Apps: Features, Pricing & Reviews [2026 Guide]
Deciding on a kudos app? Compare features, pricing, reviews, and more to help you make the best decision for your company.
Sam Lepak
May 5, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Rewards
#1 Guide to Rewards and Recognition Platform ‍[2026]
A rewards and recognition platform is an integral part of showing appreciation for your employees. Implement one today and transform your workplace!
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
8 Best Kudos GIFs to Celebrate and Recognize Your Team
Looking for the perfect kudos GIF? Explore the best kudos to you GIFs, animated kudos GIFs, and fun team kudos GIFs to boost team morale and engagement.
Sam Lepak
Jun 5, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
15+ Fun Ways to Use Kudos Images for Recognition in 2026
Explore the best kudos images to recognize your team. From kudos gifs to kudos to you images, find funny, free, and creative ways to say great job.
Sam Lepak
May 26, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
#1 Guide in 2026 to Employee Birthday Gifts [10+ Examples]
Birthday gifts can make your employee's special day even better. These are some of the best employee birthday gifts for the workplace!
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Happy Birthday Employee! [#1 Guide in 2026]
Surprise your employees with a special Happy Birthday! Let us help you make their day even more special with this happy birthday employee post.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Rewards
#1 Guide to Employee of the Month Awards [28+ Tips]
Employee of the month awards are ideal for boosting morale and maintaining a positive company culture. Integrate them into your company recognition program today!
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
75+ Examples of Employee Recognition Awards for 2026
Discover 75+ examples of employee recognition awards, types of awards, and ideas. Learn how to implement meaningful recognition programs that inspire teams.
Sam Lepak
May 17, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
#1 Guide to Congratulate Employees on Work Anniversary [2026]
Employee work anniversaries are a big deal for some team members. Find the right thoughtful touches on the best ways to congratulate them in this guide.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
8+ Work Anniversary Message Ideas for Employees [2026]
Celebrate your employee with the appropriate message based on their work tenure. Message ideas from under 5 years, 6-10 years, 11-15 years, and 16+ years of service.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
2026 Guide to a Happy Employee Work Anniversary
Celebrate employee's work anniversaries in style with meaningful and thoughtful ways to congratulate them on their special day!
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Rewards and Recognition in the Workplace in 2026
When done right, rewards and recognition in the workplace can help improve employee morale, productivity, and engagement.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Rewards
11+ Quotes For Rewards and Recognition in 2026
There are many great quotes for rewards and recognition that will make your colleagues feel that they are valued members of your organization.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Rewards
5+ Types of Rewards and Recognition for Employees [2026 Guide]
From gift cards to additional days off, there are plenty of types of rewards and recognition for employees in your company.
Sam Lepak
May 20, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Rewards
2026 Rewards and Recognition Ideas [#1 Guide]
Implementing rewards and recognition ideas can keep team members motivated and committed to their work.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
11+ Strategies for Recognition and Rewards Programs [2026]
Strategies to discover which recognition and rewards programs will work best for your team.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Rewards
2026 Guide to Employee Rewards and Recognition Program
Create a culture that people won’t leave with a successful employee rewards and recognition program that makes people feel appreciated, celebrated, and motivated.
Sam Lepak
May 5, 2026
5 Min Read
Employee Recognition
#1 Guide to Employee Work Anniversary in 2026
The complete rundown on everything you need to know about celebrating an employee's work anniversary. Including gift ideas, benefits of celebrating, tips, and so much more!
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Rewards
#1 Guide to Employee Rewards Incentives in 2026
Incentives are a great way to keep employees motivated and engaged in team culture.
Sam Lepak
May 13, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
65+ Employee Recognition Gifts [Inspire Your Team in 2026]
Discover meaningful employee recognition gifts to celebrate milestones, improve morale, and inspire your team, in-office or remote/hybrid.
Sam Lepak
Apr 24, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
5+ Virtual Employee Recognition Ideas in 2026
Virtual employee recognition ideas to help foster an engaging and productive remote team atmosphere.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
#1 Guide to Employee Recognition Apps in 2026
Employee recognition apps for employers looking to improve team performance and create a positive employee experience.
Sam Lepak
Jun 1, 2026
4 Min Read
Employee Recognition
25+ Types of Employee Recognition [2026 Awards & Examples]
Discover different types of employee recognition, including awards, programs, and examples. Learn why recognition matters and how it boosts morale and engagement.
Sam Lepak
Jun 7, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Recognition
Importance of Employee Recognition [2026 Guide]
Discover the importance of employee recognition, its benefits, and why recognition programs are key for virtual/remote and businesses of all sizes.
Sam Lepak
Apr 24, 2026
7 Min Read
Employee Recognition
23 Ways to Give Team Kudos that Boost Morale in 2026
Looking for the best ways to give team kudos? Learn how to say kudos to the team, with message examples, FAQs, and templates to recognize great work together.
Sam Lepak
May 22, 2026
6 Min Read
Productivity
13 Fun Slack Apps to Make Your Workplace Enjoyable [2026]
Check out these fun Slack apps to make your team collaboration more efficient, productive, and enjoyable!
Sam Lepak
May 28, 2026
5 Min Read
Productivity
Free Slack Apps in 2026: What Each Free Plan Actually Gives You
Which Slack apps have a real free plan in 2026, what each free tier includes, exactly where it stops, and what the first paid step costs.
Sam Lepak
May 1, 2026
15 Min Read
Employee Recognition
15 Employee Recognition Benefits: 2026 Workplace Success
Learn about the benefits of employee recognition programs and rewards. Discover how recognition drives morale, retention, and success for your organization.
Sam Lepak
May 17, 2026
6 Min Read
Employee Surveys
8 Best Slack Survey Apps for Employee Feedback and Pulse Checks in 2026
Eight Slack survey apps compared for 2026: which are answered inside Slack, how pulse cadence and anonymity work, what each pricing meter costs, and where polls end.
Sam Lepak
May 28, 2026
17 Min Read