Our greatest asset at JMP is the people who build, support, and champion our software every day. While we often focus on the next release or the upcoming quarter, it’s vital that we pause to acknowledge the incredible effort happening in the cubicles, home offices, and meeting rooms around us.
The power of "Thank You."
Recognition isn't just a nice-to-have perk; it is a fundamental driver of our collective success. When we feel valued, we perform better. Consider these striking statistics on the impact of workplace appreciation:
- 77% of employees who feel recognized express strong loyalty to their organization. In contrast, only 23% of employees feel their workplace has a formal recognition system that actually works (Source: Employee Recognition Statistics in the US (2024-2025)).
- 79% of employees who quit their jobs cite a lack of appreciation as a major reason for leaving (Source: Here’s the No. 1 reason why employees quit their jobs).
- Companies with high-recognition cultures see significantly lower voluntary turnover and higher overall productivity.
Beyond the numbers, recognition is the glue that binds our culture. It transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive team, fostering an environment where innovation thrives because people feel safe and supported in their contributions.
Highlighting our underutilized gem, the Kudos program
JMP offers several formal avenues for recognition, such as the Excellence Award and the Spotlight Award. While these are prestigious honors for major milestones, we have noticed that our Kudos Program is currently underutilized.
Kudos is dedicated to highlighting individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond. It’s for the unsung heroes who make a positive impact internally or externally every day. Whether it’s:
- Delivering outstanding results on a tight deadline.
- Demonstrating exceptional teamwork that lifted a project.
- Embodying our core values in every task, no matter how small.
Senior Business Systems Analyst Whitney Hicks (@Whicks365) often nominates colleagues for the award. "Because of the nature of our work, many of us operate in silos day to day, so even a small acknowledgment can go a long way," Hicks said. "Recognition helps reinforce that the work people are doing matters and contributes positively toward retaining top performers and building a work culture we can be proud of here at JMP. The Kudos program is a great way to show colleagues that their value and contributions to the organization are seen and appreciated."
JMP Development Testing Director Audrey Shull (@Audrey_Shull), another top contributor to Kudos, added, "I think we all appreciate a thank you, and Kudos are a fun and easy way to do it. It could be for something big or small. We work with some amazing people, and a little extra recognition goes a long way."
Who can be nominated?
Learn more in the attached .pdf
Kudos is inclusive. It is open to everyone: interns, contractors, and full-time employees. Appreciation shouldn't have a hierarchy, and we want to foster a culture of gratitude across every level and department.
Recipients of a Kudos nomination will be featured in our monthly InsideJMP article. This gives the entire organization a chance to see their accomplishments and understand the positive impact they’ve made on our mission.
By taking the time to recognize a peer, you aren't just acknowledging a job well done; you are providing a sense of stability and belonging during a time when external factors can feel overwhelming.
Take a moment to recognize a peer
Look around your (virtual) office today. Is there someone who made your job easier this week? Someone who handled a difficult client with grace, or a teammate who stayed late to help you troubleshoot a bug?
Don't let their hard work go unnoticed. Nominations can be made at any time throughout the year; there is no fixed nomination period. Taking two minutes to fill out a nomination can make a colleague's entire month.
Ready to nominate? Submit your nomination using the new JMP Kudos Submission.
Let’s commit to noticing the excellence around us. A culture of appreciation starts with a single nomination. Submit a Kudos today!
