AME Blog

AME Blog
Continuous improvement practitioners and leaders know that it is always about the people. Spending Thanksgiving with family and friends reminded me that I also have a work family who deserves the same respect and consideration that my biological family receives. Treating people with dignity and care... More
AME Blog
Next week will be a short work week in the USA as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Because of this, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each member of our manufacturing and continuous improvement community. As we celebrate AME’s 40th birthday this year, the AME Home Team recognizes... More
AME Blog
This week, we celebrate Veterans Day. This is day to reflect on the courage, resilience and sacrifice of those who have served our nation. Veterans Day is a federal holiday for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and... More
AME Blog
I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible experience our AME Atlanta 2024 International Conference was. From the inspiring sessions, the incredible tours, the informative workshops, the awesome keynotes and the valuable connections made, it truly exceeded all expectations. It was a joy... More
AME Blog
I am thrilled that this week, we are all celebrating at the AME 2024 International Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, so my letter will be short. We’ve been waiting all year to connect in person and celebrate AME's 40th birthday! Hundreds of people have been working diligently for the past two years to... More
AME Blog
As we gear up for our AME 2024 International Conference next week, I want to remind everyone that there is still time to register and join us in Atlanta. We will host attendees from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and 19 other countries. Zoom calls are nice, but nothing beats those... More
AME Blog
As we embark on the next chapter of our AME journey, it’s important to acknowledge the balance between our history, what’s happening today and what lies ahead. In fact, in my very first letter to the AME members in January 2020, “Five questions with AME’s new president and CEO,” I committed... More
AME Blog
Last week, we celebrated Manufacturing Day, celebrated annually on the first Friday of October. This day brings communities together to raise awareness about the significance of manufacturing in the economy. It is a day to encourage people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math... More
AME Blog
In last week’s letter, I introduced you to Ari, AME Home Team member Sara O’Hara’s feline coworker. Since that letter went out, Ari now has her own personal fan club. We may have to make her the official AME mascot with all the attention she is garnering. This prompted me to think about how everyone... More
AME Blog
Last week, I wrote about the wonderful event we held with our AME Champions Club and Cleveland Consortia, which prompted me to celebrate the collaborative nature of our AME family. If you ask people what they cherish most about AME, it’s the peer-to-peer networking and learning, the open sharing of... More
AME Blog
Last week was a whirlwind of excitement for AME. We kicked off the week with the AME Champions Club event in Cleveland, Ohio. Thanks to Marc Kuzik, AME Champions Cub volunteer director, and Rick Wiltse, AME Cleveland Consortia facilitator, we experienced a week of incredible learning, sharing and growing. We... More
AME Blog
September 13 is National Positive Thinking Day. What a fun day to celebrate all the good and positive things that are happening around us. There are so many ways to stay positive and promote the power of positivity. Studies say that when we approach situations expecting a good outcome, practice gratitude... More
AME Blog
One of our board members, Billy Ray Taylor, recently shared his thoughts on the fear of missing out (FOMO). We were specifically talking about the AME conference, how valuable it is and why everyone should attend.FOMO is a feeling we all encounter from time to time, especially in today’s fast-paced,... More
AME Blog
Harry S. Truman shared, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.” As many of you know, I did a Naval embark on the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in 2010, an experience of a lifetime, and continue to follow that ship every day. I am so proud of the opportunity... More
AME Blog
This week, I would like to reflect on the amazing AME Home Team, the ones who do all the heavy lifting with little recognition. They keep AME going, and in our busy lives, we can sometimes forget to express our gratitude to and for them. I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude for... More
AME Blog
Growing up, August was never my favorite month. It marked the end of summer vacation and the start of the school year. It represents change, which can feel uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing. I’m sure many of you faced similar sensations. Looking back, I wish I could tell childhood me how much excitement... More
AME Blog
August 8 was Happiness Happens Day, a day to celebrate all things happy. I spent last weekend at my favorite staycation in the North Carolina Outer Banks, which always makes me happy. What also makes me happy is to know that in a few short months, we will be gathering to celebrate AME’s 40th birthday... More
AME Blog
We invite you to join us in Atlanta, Georgia, from Monday, October 28 to Thursday, October 31, 2024, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the AME Atlanta 2024 Conference! Did you know that this year is the AME International Conference’s 40th birthday? Expect to see birthday outfits and confetti as... More
AME Blog
This week has provided a lot of “opportunities.”  As you know, AME has a small and extremely talented AME Home Team accomplishing amazing things in collaboration with our dedicated and equally talented AME volunteers. At times, the work in front of us all seems insurmountable.  Particularly now,... More
AME Blog
Summer has always been my ideal time to get lost in a good book. Perhaps my reading brain surfaces because we tend to take more vacations this time of year. Or it knows that July is the calm before the conference season storm. Regardless, any trip I take, especially to the beach, is always accompanied... More
AME Blog
“You have achieved excellence as a leader when people will follow you anywhere, if only out of curiosity.” I love this phrase attributed to four-star general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell. Powell shared that for a leader to be successful, one must foster open communication,... More
AME Blog
The AME Home Team members are dedicated, talented individuals working diligently every day to make the AME an incredible organization in which to share, learn and grow. Did you know they are also passionate volunteers outside of AME? In addition to all they do for AME, they find time to contribute their... More
AME Blog
Many AME members live in Canada or the United States, so for most of you, this week is a celebration of Canada Day and U.S. Independence Day. These two celebrations remind me of the importance of honoring and remembering our successes. Hundreds of years ago, the United States declared independence and... More
AME Blog
This week, I am honored to share the highlights of our AME Southeast Region Lean Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. First, I want to congratulate the summit team for organizing a week of learning and networking that netted the largest attendance in AME SE Region Summit history! Congratulations to Summit... More
AME Blog
Did you know Flag Day in the USA was last Friday, June 14? It commemorates the adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, during the Revolutionary War. The flag, known as the "Stars and Stripes," has 13 alternating red and white stripes and a blue field with 13 white... More
AME Blog
Happy Father’s Day to all our AME Fathers and father figures. Father’s Day provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of fathers, recognizing their vital role in the family and society. It is always fun to research fun facts for my weekly letter. Did you... More
AME Blog
AME Consortia membership is one of the most valuable parts of AME. An AME Consortium is a group of local companies that collaborate to develop broad, deep and accelerated lean-CI progress better, faster and easier than they can do alone. These dynamic practitioner-to-practitioner networks are designed... More
AME Blog
There is a national day dedicated to celebrating just about everything. I recently wrote about National Scrabble Day, and many of you shared your love of the game. Some actually challenged me to a game. Pretty brave!  Did you know there is a National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day? On the fourth... More
AME Blog
Of all the federal holidays we celebrate, Memorial Day is both cheerful and somber. It is a day of observance focused on remembering and thanking the countless Americans in uniform who have given their lives for this country. Memorial Day is truly about acknowledging those heroic individuals and the... More
AME Blog
As you know, it is always my honor to share a weekly letter with our membership. It is even more fun when we have guest columnists. This week, AME Champions Club member and columnist David A. Behling shares an interview with volunteer extraordinaire Tracy ORourke. If Tracy’s name sounds familiar,... More
AME Blog
In a previous Mother’s Day letter, I shared that if there were a job description for the role of mother, “multitasker” would be the first bullet point. I would also add “SMART goal-setter” to the job description. I was fortunate to grow up with a mother who was a skilled multitasker and goal-setter.... More
AME Blog
I recently read an article in Forbes by a successful entrepreneur and coach who encouraged readers to reframe how we think about retirement. She proposed that “retirement” can become a “rewirement” of our approach to developing fully integrated lifestyles. When making that daunting transition... More

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