AME Blog

AME is a large organization, with consortia spanning all regions of the United States and internationally, including a large presence in Canada and Australia. I often forget how wide our network is because the AME community is such a tight-knit and close family. You might think it is clichéd to refer... More

Last week, I wrote about the benefits of reverse mentoring when responding to digital change and generational gaps in the workforce. It also made me realize there was a larger conversation at play. When we implement forward-thinking initiatives to maintain standards of enterprise excellence, we are doing... More

As we leave June behind us and brace ourselves for the inevitable July heat, it is startling to realize we have already passed the halfway mark for 2022. Together we collaboratively addressed the challenges of the last few years and are now coming back stronger—and different. Offices have reopened,... More

A colleague recently shared a piece of advice that they received ahead of their first job interview, and it really stuck with me. In a nutshell: The interview doesn’t start when you walk into the office. Your impression starts with the first person you meet in the organization. It starts with your... More

Collaboration is a cornerstone of continuous improvement. AME was created because its founders realized we all gain by sharing, learning and growing together. In 1985, our mission of fostering practitioner-to-practitioner learning across the globe was born; this mission to inspire a commitment to enterprise... More

Each year, the U.S. Navy invites a select few to attend its Distinguished Visitor Embark, a rare experience to witness life aboard a Navy aircraft carrier. For years, this was one of my bucket list items. In 2010, I was finally able to live that dream. I landed, stayed the night and took off from the... More

When I look at the roster of AME volunteers, staff and speakers, I’m always inspired by the number of mothers in our ranks. All parents balance personal and professional responsibilities, but mothers stand out for their ability to find creative ways to make things work. So perhaps the proverb “necessity... More

  Like many of you, the staff turnover bug bit AME this week. Of course, I knew we weren’t immune to the Great Resignation, but it was still a bitter pill to swallow when AME’s director of marketing and communications, Jeff Puma, signed off for the last time earlier this week. From hosting our weekly... More

  There is power in both the words “yes” and “no.” These simple words allow us to take on new challenges and do so at the proper time, but it takes wisdom to know when and how to deploy both. Last May, I wrote about “yes, and” and how that mindset allows you to move things forward and build... More

  Have you ever watched a building construction project? Maybe it’s an office building you drive by during your commute or a new warehouse on your company’s property. Perhaps it’s an addition on your child’s school or a new movie theater in your town.  If you drive by every so often it’s... More

  To close his excellent keynote at the AME Back to Basics Lean Summit this week, Marc Braun shared an inspiring Maya Angelou quote about courage. I’d like to begin this message with another Angelou quote: “As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.” I mention this quote... More

  You’ve probably heard the acronym, B.Y.O.B., but today I’m thinking about B.Y.O.S.: Bring Your Own Sunshine. The annual fight between winter and spring has begun. Depending on where you live, there may be days of sunshine mixed with cold days with rain or even snow. But we can choose to let go... More

  There’s something special about watching an underdog compete at the Olympics. When they rise to the top it’s thrilling and we feel like we’ve seen something special, but often there are also lessons to be learned from those who don’t win. Do you remember when everyone cheered on the Jamaican... More

  If this last two years have taught us anything it’s that things don’t always go as planned. When I began my tenure as AME’s president and CEO in January 2020, I had no idea the curve balls that would be thrown our way, and I know that these curveballs have affected our entire community. While... More

  We are coming up on my second anniversary as AME’s president and CEO. During that time, our community has been in a cycle of facing challenges and overcoming them only to have new challenges arise. This is almost always the way of life. It is rarely smooth sailing for an infinite amount of time.... More