VOLUME #32

How We Work - Changing for the Better?

MGroup™ is operating in the “new normal” of how business is going to be done for the foreseeable future . . . perhaps longer. We are entering a challenging time as the world deals with the Covid-19 situation and are confident that we have a plan to continue to meet our customers’ needs and are prepared for this challenge.

This "new normal" may soon find its way into our corporate DNA.

First, MGroup™ and our manufacturing resources are open for business, and we are processing and shipping orders. We have asked our sales and administrative team to engage in a different way and our team has responded. Face-to-face meetings have been replaced with virtual meetings, and the initial results using Microsoft Teams have been good. Many of these video conferences have been completed with great results. We will continue to improve and are encouraging our Sales & Marketing teams to do more with virtual meetings. Our Project Team is ahead of our Sales team at this point using Teams and we need to "step it up" on the Sales & Marketing side. Tim Kulikowski has put together some very nice, new background images which should be used by our sales team for meetings.

Our MGroup™ associates are working from home, while maintaining a minimal crew in the office. It is working so well that a number of our associates and our management are now questioning whether the new model of working might not be the best plan for the future. Patti will be joining meetings this week to talk about a new workplace model that continues working from home as the primary plan going forward. This allows our team to take care of pre-school children at home and protects our team from contact with others but still working 100% - using the tools we have in place. Voice Over I/P phone system, laptops for all colleagues and our MGroup™ focus on service. The office would be open to those that do not have good work-from-home conditions. Meridien House would be converted for use as group conference and team break-out rooms and provide workspace carrels for working in the office, plus office accommodations for essential office functions and those that elect to work from the office.

Your management team is studying this work-from-home-based way of doing business and are considering the work-around for distractions and concerns about an appropriate home office space and issues like internet speeds that can impact your work life and productivity. Make your thoughts known in your department meetings.

We will continue to develop a business plan to the best of our ability to meet your needs and the needs of the market. We will find new ways and stretch our abilities to succeed in a challenging - but not impossible - environment. As with any crisis, novel ways to execute the mission will come into focus. Excellent companies take advantage. Be prepared to mee the New Normal, head on!

MGroup™ Announces New Chief Affection Officer

Skylar (mom) and Thor (dad) announce that the newest member of the MGroup™ family is moving from the family compound in Rosarita Beach, Baja California Mexico to Meridien House! Miss Liesel Marie Sheppard Murray will be moving in September to take on her new job of CAO (Chief Affection Officer) and Head of Security at MGroup™.

She is being trained now by her professional trainer in obedience, basic security, and family interaction methods and will be joining us in LaGrange in September after three months of extensive training to take on her challening new role as Director of Tummy Rubs and Yoga Instructor, teaching us her favorite pose, "downward dog."

Liesel comes from an amazing family of DDR German Shepherds, who first immigrated from the Czech Republic. Her family members serve as US Navy SEALS, with US Customs & Border Protection, and Mexican Customs. Additionally, members of her family serve with distinction with the San Diego and Los Angeles Police K9 Units. Interestingly, the Navy SEALS do not differentiate between members of the canine and the human team. They are all just US Navy SEALS.

Keeping in step with the international nature of our MGroup™ team, Liesel is trained using commands in German, Spanish and English so brush up on your language skills.

We welcome this very special member to the MGroup™ family.

Liesel Marie Sheppard Murray

Welcome Baby Burdette!

Congratulations Grad!

Congratulations on your graduation, Cati Williams!

She completed her in BA in Sociology from LaGrange College in December 2019 and was scheduled to walk this past weekend at the Spring 2020 graduation ceremony.

Due to COVID-19 though, her ceremony has been postponed until October 2020. Cati did have her own celebration with her parents, Stephen and Jenny, and close family.

Cati has been working at MGroup™ as a Marketing Assistant for almost two years. We appreciate all she has done for MGroup™ and look forward to seeing what she will accomplish in the future!

Our New Home Office

The MGroup™ team in LaGrange, GA has been hard at work at home and their home offices show it. Whether it is a recent addition or a long-established part of their house, these home offices are a good example of what the new normal looks like!