Say goodbye to the old paper greeting card and hello to a digital solution with all of the bells and whistles.
Key Takeaways:
- Get to know Aaron Rubens
- What is Kudoboard used for?
- Workplace appreciation to boost team morale using Kudoboard
- Make workplace appreciation easier by creating an employee shout out board for praise, appreciation.
- Three ways to use Kudoboard in your workplace
- A magic of recognition and appreciation.
Creating a supportive and appreciative workplace culture is more important now than ever, especially as we navigate the challenges of hybrid work environments. In a recent episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, Dr. Heather Walker sat down with Aaron Ruben, a teacher turned entrepreneur and founder of Kudo Board, to discuss innovative solutions for maintaining a culture of appreciation and recognition, even when we’re not physically together.
Embracing Virtual Appreciation
In the podcast, Dr. Walker reminisces about the days when team members would sneak around passing a birthday card throughout the office, ensuring everyone had the chance to sign it. That simple act of appreciation is something many miss in our digital age. Fortunately, Kudo Board offers a solution—a virtual board where colleagues can write meaningful messages or add fun media to celebrate each other.
The Genesis of Kudo Board
The idea for Kudo Board was inspired by a classroom exercise Aaron used during his teaching days, where students circulated a piece of paper, writing kind notes to one another. This small act of kindness made a lasting impact on his students and Aaron noticed its significant potential in the workplace. He realized that giving people permission and a platform to say something nice could foster a strong culture of appreciation virtually.
Why Workplace Recognition Matters
Peer-to-peer recognition is crucial. Many of us are quick to offer constructive feedback, yet genuine appreciation is often left unsaid. Kudo Board bridges this gap by providing an easy way for colleagues to recognize each other, whether it’s for a birthday, retirement, or a job well done. Aaron emphasizes that recognition shouldn’t just occur at big moments, like departures, but should be a continuous practice.
Integration into the Hybrid Landscape
With the transition from fully remote to hybrid workplaces, organizations face unique challenges in maintaining culture. Aaron highlights that significant changes, such as not having everyone in the same place at the same time, necessitate intentionality in communication and recognition. Tools like Kudo Board can help facilitate this cultural shift by allowing for visibility and participation across distributed teams.
Getting Started with Kudo Board
For leaders looking to incorporate Kudo Board into their workplace culture, Aaron offers some practical advice:
- Seed The Board: Start by adding a few genuine posts yourself to set the tone and encourage participation.
- Create a Cadence: Introduce a regular cycle for creating new boards, such as quarterly or monthly, to maintain momentum and excitement.
- Increase Visibility: Use integrations with communication tools like Slack to broadcast new posts, reminding everyone of its presence and potential.
Unlocking Scalable Solutions
Kudo Board doesn’t just stop at birthday messages. It allows for extensive customization and can be used even at an enterprise level for wider engagement. Companies can create mass recognition campaigns for events like Executive Farewells, Annual Diversity Events, or Milestone Celebrations, reaching every corner of the organization seamless.
About Aaron Rubens
Aaron Rubens is a Co-Founder and CEO at Kudoboard, and is passionate about building great products for mission-driven organizations. He is also an Entrepreneur, Product Manager, and Former Educator. He attended Harvard Business School and Tulane University.
