the pulsespring 2015

a message from jen...metronome’s fierce ceoHello Pulsers! We hope you have enjoyed the first quarter as much as we have.

Although the winter wasn’t as brutal as last year, we are happy to be climbing out of the record low temperatures experienced all over the nation.

Over the last quarter, Metronome submitted another prime proposal; a single award contract with the NGA. The team worked countless hours pulling together a product we were very proud to submit. A big thank you to those that consistently take the time and thoughtfully fill out your weekly status reports; that information is invaluable to our team and contributes solid proof points to our proposals.

Metronome was successful in landing awards on the small and large business tracks for a contract with INSCOM, as well as a position on a contract with Army Cyber Command. We were also added to an industry partner’s team for an additional NGA contract.

Another big thank you to everyone for getting us 100% compliant in the completion of our yearly annual refresher training. Other successes include another exciting Culture Club and launching the document repository in PerformYard, providing all Pulsers with immediate access to important company documents.

Metronome is very much looking forward to this coming quarter. We expect to receive notice on both prime proposals submitted to NGA. We plan to complete a GSA Schedule 70 proposal that will provide access for

Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!”

Robin Williams

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what do you want to see in the newsletter next quarter? send thoughts, ideas for features, and pictures to rebecca.w@metronomeusa.com

passion-themed culture clubIn honor of our most recent Culture Club, we transformed one of our win-dow panes at HQ into a Passion Board. We had a wonderful time sharing our passions with one another and celebrat-ing all of our successes from the last quarter. We look forward to seeing you at our next Culture Club in July!

Metronome to bid more prime IT work with the Federal Government. We also plan to improve our website, revamp our new employee orientation, and continue growing the company!

I hope to see you all at CASA’s Run for the Children on May 2nd in Fairfax City. It’s sure to be an exciting event! If not, I hope to see you either in person or virtually at our next Culture Club.

Congratulations to this quarter's Pulse Awardees!

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mission of the quarter...CASA's Run for the Children

Metronome is a proud sponsor of the Fairfax CASA's Run for the Children. To register for the run or walk, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2015/3150/fairfax-run-for-the-children.

Join us for breakfast and mimosas afterward at the Fair Lakes Whole Foods.

join team metronome for

8K Race and 3K Run/WalkSaturday, May 2nd 2015

Visit Metronome's Facebook page for more information.

highlights from previous years

The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused and neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.

Anthem Breach, HR Documents, Annual RefresherAnthem BreachFebruary Message from Anthem

Anthem was the target of a very so-phisticated external cyberattack. These attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem’s IT system and have ob-tained personal information from our current and former members such as their names, birthdays, medical IDs/social security numbers, street address-es, email addresses and employment information, including income data. Anthem will individually notify current and former members whose information has been accessed. We have created a dedicated website - www.AnthemFacts.com - members can access information, questions and answers.”

Vital HR DocumentsMetronome Handbook, Payroll Calendar, Tax Documents

We have implemented a new document retrieval system via PerformYard. Within PerformYard, you will see a section titled “Documents” on the top right corner of your dash. Here you will find various Met-ronome resources including our Metro-nome Employee Handbook, the 2015 Pay Period Schedule, and the Referral Bonus Brochure. Additional documents will be posted, as needed, in the future. Please let us know if you have any additional suggestions!

Annual RefreshersProfessionalism and Ethics, Security, and Sexual Harassment

The 2015 Metronome Annual Profession-alism and Ethics, Security, and Sexual Harassment Refreshers were conducted through the new document system in PerformYard. Thank you for your cooper-ation and timely completion of the annual refreshers! Please be on the lookout for future training requirements.

Want more information? Have any ques-tions or concerns? HR is here to help. Email hr@metronomeusa.com, call (703) 957-4082, or come to HQ!

a message from human resources... a message from IT

Are you looking to increase your password strength, but have trouble remembering those cryptic passwords? Try putting multiple random words together. As the comic1 shows, by putting those 4 words together it would take years to brute force guess your password! Here are some examples: whyfruitpeelsnice, texassteakforlife, meandmymetronome.

1 https://xkcd.com/936/

P@ssw0rd St®¤ngth!¡!

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a message from our facility security officer

The travel season is upon us! I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable, and positive experience for you and your loved ones. You must report all foreign travel at least 45 days prior to departure by completing Metronome’s Notification of Foreign Travel form. Below are additional tips to consider to ensure secure and safe travels.

Plan your wardrobe so that it is not offensive nor draw unwanted attention to your self. Americans perceived to be wealthy are targeted for pickpocketing and other crimes of opportunity. Do not wear expensive jewelry. If overseas, avoid wearing American sports team shirts and baseball caps that may indicate you are an American.

Leave your electronic devices at home. If you must take a device, take necessary precautions including:• Sanitize your laptop: remove all personal data, backup all

information. • If possible, use a different phone and a new email while

traveling.• Use-up-to-date software protection.• Do not leave devices unattended.• Avoid public Wi-Fi networks.• Clear browser after each use.

Familiarize yourself with the local laws and customs. For international travel, you are expected to obey the laws of that country, which may include dress standard, photography restrictions, telecommunication restriction, curfews etc.

Other reminders:• Check travel.state.gov to be aware of travel alerts and

warnings for your destination.• Check cdc.gov for traveler health information from the

Center for Disease Control. • Gather and make photocopies of your travel documents.• Prepare for any possible emergency.• Acquire an International Drivers Permit (IDP), if needed.• Pack smart: light, minimum number of valuables, no

contrabands.• Maintain a list of domestic contacts during your travel.• Be cautious of what you post on social media.

If you need assistance while traveling, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at your destination. If there are any question or concerns please contact security at 703-981-3316 or Charles.h@metronomeusa.com.

Before You Travel...

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I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.

Susan Sontag

pulser on a mission...Tonyia Griggs

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Recently, we asked Tonyia to tell us more about her role as the Washington, D.C. Chapter Leader of the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC).

Tell us a little bit about yourself (your passions, favorite artist, when you started with Metronome, etc.)Well....I started Metronome in September 2013 RIGHT before the government shutdown! I'm passionate about a lot of things but I'm a service oriented person by nature. I don't have a favorite artist because I'm a simple music lover and appreciate all kinds of artists, music styles and diverse genres. I love to give people information that improves their quality of life, because so many people don't know what rights they have and what opportunities exist that can better their lives. I'm a passionate photographer, singer, liturgical dancer, writer (basically all things artistic) and parent, to include foster parenting. I volunteer as a mentor to young girls and women who are pregnant and teach child birth education classes. I also run a nonprofit organization for teen girls called Question Me. But as a Cervical Cancer Survivor, I am passionate about sharing my story and helping to prevent the spread of HPV through vaccination and encourage discussion around the cancer that is caused by a virus!

How did you come to learn about and join NCCC? When did you join?I started a mission to lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle last summer and kicked off a personal campaign to lose weight by running(well...right now I'm still speed walking and jogging) 40 5k races in 400 days. During my search for cancer

and children related causes I reached out to the NCCC. Membership is free and although I received their upcoming event notifications, I was shocked to hear that they did not have a local chapter to reach out to. I joined the National Cervical Cancer Coalition in 2013 as a volunteer and after appearing on the cover of HerLife Magazine in October of 2014 for Cancer survivors, I submitted my application to become the Washington DC Chapter leader. Since then I have launched a chapter where we have been actively seeking to inform both men and women about the HPV vaccines and how it can help prevent the spread of Cervical Cancer.

Tell us about the NCCC community: Within the Washington DC Chapter we are striving to open the eyes of people to realize that Cervical Cancer is a totally preventable disease and that there is a vaccine that can assist in prevention. The mission of the NCCC community is to help women, family members and caregivers battle the personal issues related to cervical cancer and HPV and to advocate for cervical health in all women. We also promote prevention through education about early vaccination, Pap testing and HPV testing. Through fundraising activities we plan to raise enough money to provide care packages to current cancer patients and support relief for survivors.

How can those who are interested learn more or get involved, what are the kinds of ways people can support NCCC? New members are always welcome! You can also support us by visiting www.nccc-online.org and selecting the Washington DC Chapter where you can make an online donation or contact the chapter directly for an in-kind donation.

We are always looking for items to be included in raffles or things to be used as an incentive for others to participate in any of our fund raising efforts. Our mission is to spread the word, so by inviting our chapter leaders to come out to your women's groups, family gatherings, or schools to talk about HPV and its vaccine is impactful. Even just stressing how Cervical Cancer is the ONLY known cancer to start with a virus is valuable to the community.

What are some up and coming events people should be on the lookout for?On May 16, 2015 the NCCC- Washington DC Chapter will be participating in a day of Fashion and fun as we highlight cancer survivors of all kinds at a WE CAN-CER Vive Cancer awareness event in Washington DC. We will also be participating in the Ovarian Cancer 5k on May 17, 2015 and would like to have as many people as possible join our Team 40 in 400. The NCCC- Washington DC Chapter is also gearing up for our first annual "Running the Cancer Away" 5k in September of this year. Ms. DC International (Alegra Woodard) is our sponsor and we are in process of finding companies and individuals willing to make donations that will assist us in making this race successful. On October 24, 2015 we are planning a Pink & Teal Gala where we will pamper women affected by cancer with makeovers and celebrate them with a dinner and fundraising gala. More information about all of our events can be found on our Facebook page.

What are you most looking forward to this summer?!This summer I am honestly most looking forward to getting back outside to prepare for my 5k races. I know it sounds corny, but it's just something about getting outside and enjoying the warm air, knowing that there is more life to live that just brings me peace. I love the winter and the snow too...but, when I hear the birds and feel the sun, I'm reminded that each day is a gift! This summer I will be pushing to complete the last 20 races, I'll be raising money, I'll be losing weight, and I'll continue to spread my personal story and testimony. I don't like leaving things undone...so I'm a little quiet now, but when I'm finished with these races, whether I've lost all the weight or not, I will have accomplished something! I want to make a difference in the lives of other people because I'm a living example of what working hard and pushing through looks like. My personal motto is “In order to get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done." So it may look crazy and overzealous right now, but when lives are changed it will be because I'm not settling for the cards that were given to me. I'm reshuffling and I'm waiting on my Ace & a King!

triviaWhich one of these is NOT a Beatles album cover? email answers to: HR@metronomeusa.com

so much to celebrate!new pulsers

Please help us welcome the newest members of the Metronome family!!!

Michael DurhamMark JessupJohn MearsAllison McRell

Chad KuczkaAaron DickAndrea HollowayJeanette Wells

William Ide Diane Darby

help us grow our family, refer a friend!Metronome is always looking for highly motivated and passionate employees with skills and experience in any of our core capability areas.

For each referral hired, you could receive a bonus between $500 and $3,000 (depending on clearance level and exemption status). Bonuses are paid out after the referral has been a Metronome employee for 90 days.

Submit referrals directly to HR@metronomeusa.com.

a message from virgil...metronome coo’s quarterly anthem: brett dennen — comeback kid

Here we go y’all. Metronome and its legion of Pulsers heads into the 2nd quarter on a roll after the doldrums of winter. Our anthem for Spring 2015 is Comeback Kid by Brett Dennan, a killer singer and songwriter out of Northern California.

Over the cold months we bid on our second major prime contract to support NGA — a stellar accomplish-ment in and of itself. I will tell you, our final product is certainly worthy of a win! We are competing against some of the top companies in the Intelligence Community and word is that Metronome is an underdog. But who doesn’t love an underdog, right? They say the underdog has nothing to lose because their chances are slim to none.

Let it all hang out | Go for broke | Swing for the fences | Throw caution to the wind

These are all terms commonly used in situations like when David comes face-to-face with Goliath. Goliath has everything to lose and David can’t lose, even in defeat, because he is not supposed to. Let me tell you, though — if you are defeated, you lose. You learn from the loss, but you still lost.

If we perceive ourselves as underdogs we will be the last to realize we had an opportunity to succeed. Pulsers enter each new situation confident of success. We don’t wait for someone to tell us we have a shot. It is all on the line all the time. When we are up against the big boys, we go toe-to-toe and take calculated, planned swings. Those deliberate swings are the ones that go over the fences. David had a plan, a few stones and his trusty slingshot. Guess what happened?

Yes, everyone loves an underdog and wants them to win. Yes, everyone loves the story of the company that came out of the garage to a prominent spot on Main Street. Those underdogs swung hard and maxed out credit cards. They achieved success because they had a plan and failure wasn’t an option.

We enter the glorious spring months positive and motivated. We are positive that our efforts over the winter will germinate into tangible opportunities and motivated to cultivate new opportunities and execute on current ones. Our efforts over the past few months have already led to an improved team and new contract wins at the U.S. Army Cyper Command (ARCYBER), INSCOM, and NGA!!

Metronome was never down and out but a new quarter means it’s time to get better and have some fun.

Here comes a comeback — everybody loves a comeback. Metronome is back for spring.

Well, maybe it’s the common curse / Maybe

things get bad before they get worse

I don’t wanna become someone / Who can’t live up to what already done

Don’t keep it just to figure it out / When it rains and

pours, and then it runs out

I was crying on the bathroom floor / And

just when I thought I could take no more

Well, here comes a comeback / The kid is back, is back on track

And there goes my hero / He’s an underdog,

he’s coming out on top

pulser celebrations and adventures over the last quarter