AME Blog

  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

  This past Wednesday marked my one-year anniversary as AME’s president and CEO. Since assuming this role, AME has accomplished so much, as have our members and the entire community of lean, continuous improvement practitioners. I am proud of our community’s collective efforts to pivot and adapt... More

  Happy New Year! Through a quick and unscientific Google search, I just learned that New Year’s resolutions date back 4,000 years to ancient Babylon — at least that’s what articles from Fast Company, History.com, Mental Floss and even Teen Vogue would have me believe. As lean, continuous improvement... More

  If you’ve been in a Zoom meeting with me during the past few months, you may have seen an unexpected visitor on the screen. I’m currently fostering a cat that is very curious anytime she hears voices coming out of my computer. There’s a running joke among the AME staff that my home may transition... More

  AME is made up of people who are dedicated to enterprise excellence. Members, volunteers and staff all seeking best practices to implement lean and continuous improvement. This pursuit of operational excellence inspires us and keeps us driving toward agile solutions, tools and processes that help... More

  On Wednesday in the United States and Canada we recognized military veterans and those who continue to serve. While Veterans Day and Remembrance Day are opportunities to thank veterans for our freedoms, it is incumbent on industry to provide veterans with the opportunities to use their skills in the... More

  Today, I want to talk about the importance of gratitude and celebrating. Regardless of your role in your organization, your family or your community, it is important to take a moment to thank those who make your successes possible. Let people know what sort of impact they have on you and your organizations.... More