What we're talking about this month:
- Coming Soon: 5th Annual Best Culture Awards
- The Next Generation of Kudos Nominations
- Summer Employee Engagement Activities
Coming Soon: 5th Annual Best Culture Awards
It’s almost that time of year! The 5th annual Best Culture Awards presented by Kudos® will be open for applications starting July 7, 2025.
The Best Culture Awards gives your organization an opportunity to showcase your unique culture and the amazing work being done to foster a great place to work.
We have some new things happening in this year’s program 👀 Stay tuned for more information!
Got a Win (or Whoops)? We Want to Hear It!
Have you tried a new culture initiative that sparked major engagement? Or maybe you took a big swing... and missed? Either way, we want to hear about it. Reach out to marketing@kudos.com and share your story – big wins, bold ideas, or lessons learned the hard way.
We’re bringing back our People People series featuring real stories from people like you. Your experience might just be the spark someone else needs.
No pressure – reach out and spill the (HR-approved) tea. ☕️
Kudos Updates
Sneak Peek: Nominations Made Simple
In our last two newsletters, we gave you a sneak peek of what’s coming in Kudos Next Gen - starting with a streamlined admin experience and new Incentives to drive engagement. Now, we’re excited to spotlight another powerful upgrade: the reimagined Nominations feature.
If you’ve been managing award nominations through forms, spreadsheets, or email threads, this update is for you.
What’s new in Kudos Next Gen Nominations:
- ⭐️ End-to-End Award Workflow: Manage the entire nomination process from submission to selection to award delivery - right inside the platform.
- ⭐️ Custom Nomination Windows: Set nomination open/close dates and automate reminders to drive participation.
- ⭐️ Peer & Manager-Led Programs: Support both peer-to-peer and leadership-driven submissions with flexible audience controls.
- ⭐️ Shared Judging & Winner Selection: Assign reviewers (admin or non-admin) to shortlist and finalize winners - no more manual coordination.
- ⭐️ Increased Visibility: Use banners and pinned posts to promote nominations and celebrate recipients across your organization.
Kudos Next Gen is launching later this year, and Nominations is just one more way we’re helping you build a culture of appreciation with less friction and more impact.
Want to explore how your current program could transition to the new experience? Reach out to your Client Success Manager, support@kudos.com or schedule a time with us.
Stay tuned - more feature highlights are on the way!
Culture Enhancer
🏳️🌈 How to Celebrate Pride Month in the Workplace
HR leaders are vital in driving change by updating policies, providing diversity training, and promoting initiatives that amplify LGBTQ+ voices. Celebrating Pride in the workplace is not just a symbolic gesture, but a meaningful commitment. Here are some resources to help you:
July 2025 Kudos Banners
Here are your July 2025 banners for your Kudos platform. You can select one of these banners, or create your own, and upload it right into Kudos. Learn more about uploading a banner into your Kudos platform, or how to customize your theme in this support article.
Tip of the Month
😎 Keeping Employees Engaged During the Summer Slump
Summer can bring a dip in focus as vacations, warm weather, and flexible schedules take center stage, but this also means it’s a prime opportunity to re-energize your team.
A few easy ways to keep the energy high:
- ☀️ Host themed team-building activities or outdoor lunches
- 🎯 Launch a summer challenge with small rewards
- 🌴 Encourage time off and recognize coverage support
- 🎉 Celebrate all wins, no matter how big or small
- 📅 Try “meeting-free Fridays” or flexible hours to beat burnout
Notable Days Coming Up in July 2025:
- Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1)
- U.S. Independence Day (Friday, July 4)
- Nelson Mandela Day (Friday, July 18)
- Parents’ Day (Sunday, July 27)
- National Friendship Day (Wednesday, July 30)
Top Picks for You
How Microsoft Reinvented Its Culture and What Every Organization Can Learn
Culture isn’t something you can dictate from the boardroom. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem that needs constant nurturing from leadership and employees alike. When done right, culture fuels engagement, innovation, retention, and even profitability.
Reach out to us at support@kudos.com
Kudos Inc.
Suite 2500, 500 4 Ave SW
Calgary AB
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 Kudos Inc., All rights reserved.