AME Blog

    It’s back-to-school time again: an exciting time that is brimming with possibility. There are middle school kids reluctantly loading their backpacks with new school supplies and wringing the last ounces of fun and freedom that summer offers. There are some parents who are excited to get their... More

  After a year’s delay, the Olympics are in full-swing, and I’m reminded that they really have something for everyone. There’s the pageantry of the opening and closing ceremonies, the behind-the-scenes drama and comeback stories, and, of course, the tension and exhilaration of the competitions. There’s... More

  We talk a lot about the “community” at AME. We are fortunate to be a part of a collaborative group of professionals who are focused on enterprise excellence. The AME mission to share, learn and grow is a great encapsulation of the mindset necessary to keep this community connected and moving forward. There... More

    In the U.S. and Canada, the Independence Day and Canada Day holidays offer a chance to commemorate important national milestones. Informally, these days also mark about the one-third point of the summer. While I’m sad to type those words (no one wants to be the one who points out that summer... More

  Compassion. Work ethic. The biggest supporter of his kids and grandkids. Teacher. Mentor. Grill master. As we head into Father’s Day weekend, I asked the AME Home Team to describe their dads and what they meant in their life. The words I heard were things that reminded me of a good continuous improvement... More

  Facebook has a funny way of transporting us to a different time and place. The daily reminders of our memories are an often-fun walk down memory lane. Each year, I’m reminded of the time I met Simon Cowell, a dinner out at a favorite restaurant, photos of the duck family that took up residency in... More

  Around this time each year a new batch of graduates complete one chapter of their lives and enter a new phase that might include a new job, additional education, enlisting in the military, a gap year with a volunteer organization, or countless other opportunities. The graduation ceremony, itself,... More

  If there was a job description for the role of mother, “multitasker” would be the first bullet point. I was fortunate to grow up with a mother who was a skilled multitasker. She had to be because she raised five children — including two sets of twins — all born in a three-year window! Her... More

  “To achieve true production efficiency,” AME volunteer Glenn Marshall wrote in a 2020 Target article, “a company must cut down on environmental waste including raw material consumption, energy and water use and pollution.” As we conclude National Volunteer Week and on the heels of Earth Day,... More

  As the vaccines continue to roll out and we see continued signs of a return to “normal,” do not be knocked down by the adversity that we will certainly still encounter along the way. There will be hurdles. They are inevitable, but that doesn’t mean that those bumps in the road have to derail... More

  With springtime comes the annual tradition of spring break. It’s too early for reliable 2021 spring break travel data, but anecdotally, I have seen images of spring breakers visiting warmer climates while also hearing from others who are reluctant to travel. Whichever camp you fall into — a traveler... More

  On this International Women’s Day, I want to call attention to the role women play in our community. Many of us have influential women in your lives. These could be women with a formal leadership position, a mentor, a peer or even someone you heard at a past AME event or conference. I am fortunate... More

  Ideas and people need a champion. For an idea, the champion advocates and evangelizes while building an alliance to support the idea’s adoption. For people, the champion empowers, mentors and sponsors individuals to accomplish more. Both roles for a champion are important. A champion needs vision... More

    You might have heard the phrase “Teamwork makes the dream work.” It’s corny, for sure, but that doesn’t make it any less accurate. Coming on the heels of last weekend’s Super Bowl, the idea of teamwork is fresh in my mind. When you watch a team come together to accomplish a goal, you’ll... More

  According to Punxsutawney Phil, we’re due for six more weeks of winter. For those of you who have been hard hit by recent winter storms, it doesn’t take a groundhog to look out the window and wonder if a prediction of only six more weeks of winter is too optimistic! While the Groundhog Day tradition... More