AMSG Gazette | March 2023 | Issue 15

A WORD FROM OUR CEO

Hello AMSGazette Reader,

Over the last year and a half, I have had the incredible opportunity of participating in what’s called a CEOCircle. Founded by Bunker Labs, a nonprofit organization that helps military Veterans and spouses start and grow successful businesses, CEOcircle has had a tremendous influence on my growth as CEO of AMSG. So much so that Bunker Labs' CEO Blake Hogan and I decided to sit down for an interview in our series, In Conversation with AMSG. In part one, Blake discusses Bunker’s founding and its impact, and next month, in part two, I discuss my experience in the Bunker community. These are both interviews you don’t want to miss.

Further, two of this issue’s stories deal with personality development and character building. Last month, our employees completed a DISC assessment and training session, so Angela Lee Roberts, our VP of Operations, shares insight on how DISC assessments and training can help you get to know your team and build effective teams. Program Analyst/Writer Gloria Shunda shares conflict management strategies to help you identify ways to communicate clearly and handle conflict fairly.

Something else unmissable in this month’s issue is a moving story centered around honoring our elders. Acquisition Analyst Imani Shipp shares how she cares for her aging mother and the sense of honor it brings in being able to provide the care her mother needs. In thinking about the millions of elders we lost at the start of the pandemic, this story is a reminder to celebrate aging and to honor our elders. Lastly, March 8^th marked International Women’s Day, so we’d like to take a moment to acknowledge women’s achievements.

Thank you for taking the time to read up on AMSG, and as always, we welcome your input. Feel free to email us at amsgmarketing@amsgcorp.net with ideas, news, or even just to say hello; and share our newsletter with colleagues you think might want to learn new skills, or learn about what’s happening at AMSG and in government contracting.

Warmly,

Jim

DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT

By: Gloria Shunda, Data Analyst/Writer

Zig Ziglar stated, “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

Many who seek career advancement tend to focus on developing their aptitude. They may pursue additional certifications or degrees that will add letters after their names in their signatures. Those advancements are good and may make for a highly accomplished employee. However, what really sets you apart as an outstanding employee is your attitude. This is where “soft skills” come in.

Read about soft skills in our latest article!

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Though we celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th, we’re highlighting the foundation and this year’s campaign theme #EmbraceEquity to honor women around the world. Founded more than a century ago, IWD “is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.” To learn more about the history of IWD and how you can get involved, visit: https://www.internationalwomensday.com.

PERSONALITY ASSESSMENTS TO IMPROVE TEAMWORK AND PRODUCTIVITY

By: Angela Lee, Vice President of Operations

DISC is a time-tested analysis created in the 1920s by Harvard psychologist Dr. William Marston. The analysis method gained popularity in the 1970s in the workplace.

DISC measures, (D) dominance, (I) influence, (S) steadiness, and (C) conscientiousness.

During November and December 2022, AMSG took part in an Insperity-led DISC assessment. DISC personality assessments help individuals understand their behaviors, preferred communication method, and work style. Through reflection, individuals can increase self-awareness, gain a better appreciation for the different work styles of teammates, and ultimately increase productivity.

IN CONVERSATION WITH AMSG:

Bunker Labs’ CEO Blake Hogan on Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

PART 1 OF 2

By: Juania Owens, Investment Analyst Lead

“If you served our country and you want to pursue the American dream, we want to help make that possible … at the end of the day you need two things: the right network and the right capital.”

That’s Blake Hogan, CEO of Bunker Labs. Through community, courses, and programming, Bunker Labs’ nonprofit organization has paved the way for hundreds of our Veteran and military-spouse CEOs and founders to start and grow successful companies. Founded nearly a decade ago with just one elite program, its signature CEOcircle, Bunker has since expanded to include a partnership with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and an Ambassador Program, a Breaking Barriers in Entrepreneurship Program, and a Veterans in Residence Program. Their purpose? To establish a deeply rooted and supportive ecosystem around their community of entrepreneurs.

Click below to read In Conversation with AMSG part one, Don't miss next month, where our own CEO discusses his experience in the Bunker community.

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FILIAL PIETY – WHEN THE PARENT BECOMES THE CHILD:

A DAUGHTER’S STORY ON CARING FOR HER ELDERLY MOTHER

By: Imani Shipp, Acquisition Analyst

Co-Written By: Juania Owens, Investment Analyst Lead

" ... Stepping into the role as caregiver for Mom has, at times, been difficult, but I’ve devoted myself to caring for my mother. Many Eastern cultures view this role reversal as honorable. In fact, there’s a term for it. Filial piety. It is a Confusion concept derived from Chinese culture that advocates a set of moral norms, values, and practices of respect and caring for one’s parents. This devotion to and caring for one’s parents and ancestors is deeply ingrained in these cultures and is often regarded as one of the most important virtues and cornerstones of family values and social harmony."

Click below to read more.