22Nov 2025 by Jennifer Ayers
Lean Happy Hour – Nov 18th

Lean Happy Hour – Nov 18th

Events
It’s time to connect, socialize, and network while enjoying some tasty apps and beverages! Please join us. This is a great opportunity to get to know others in the consortium better and to continue geeking out on lean topics. Drop in any time after 4pm, we’ll be there until 6 or 6:30…depending on how social everyone is. NWHPEC will provide appetizers, you’ll cover the cost of drinks and any additional food. Date: Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 Time: Happy Hour starts at 4pm (Cooper Mountain Ale Works in Tigard – drop in any time after 4pm) Location: Cooper Mountain Ale Works - 12562 SW Main St, Tigard, OR 97223 (map link) RSVP for a calendar invite RSVP
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22Nov 2025 by Jennifer Ayers
Benchmarking: Implementing Kanban Systems – Dec 3rd

Benchmarking: Implementing Kanban Systems – Dec 3rd

Benchmark Request, Member Sharing
December Benchmarking Discussion: Implementing Kanban Join us online at The Bench for engaging roundtable discussions where members can connect, collaborate, learn, and share best practices. We’ll dive into specific topics each time we gather. December's online benchmarking session will be an open-ended discussion around implementing Kanban. Whether you're curious about Kanban systems, implementation, or buy in, or want to share your expertise... bring your questions to tap into the collective wisdom of the group.  This is an open “SIG-like” roundtable discussion.  📅 Date: Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025  ⏰ Time: 1pm (PT) 📌 Venue: Online via Zoom - reach out to Jennifer for the registration link Open to all NWHPEC members Registration link
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06Jul 2025 by Jennifer Ayers
Lean Leadership Skills to Engage the Heart, Head, and Hands (3H) – Starts Sept 24th (FULL)

Lean Leadership Skills to Engage the Heart, Head, and Hands (3H) – Starts Sept 24th (FULL)

Application~, Classes, Developing People~, Leadership~
A day in the life of a Leader can be challenging.  Leaders are faced with pressures from the business (quality, delivery, productivity) along with the often highly emotional demands of managing people.  Your people are the foundation and critical link to the success of your business. To be an effective leader, one must first develop an understanding of and a system for building and maintaining relationships (engaging the heart 💜).  Culture begins with us.  If we are not primed to emulate the core values and culture of our organization, we can’t expect our team members to consistently perform and respond to situations and problems in ways we expect by engaging their critical thinking skills (using their head 😊). Unleashed potential is a hidden gem within your team/organization. The leading indicator for morale and engagement is the willingness of our employees to step…
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05Jul 2025 by Jennifer Ayers
Change that Sustains – Unlocking the Key to Successful Lean Transformations – Oct 14th

Change that Sustains – Unlocking the Key to Successful Lean Transformations – Oct 14th

Application~, Classes, Developing People~, Leadership~
Learn how to effectively lead through change and transition. Ready to take your lean initiatives to the next level? Join this interactive workshop, grounded in the Lean Transformation Framework and shaped by Lynn Kelley’s executive experience at two Fortune 200 companies. Discover how to create lasting change by exploring the essential Change Questions—adaptable to any lean initiative or organization. Through real-world examples, stories and actionable tools, you'll gain the skills to tackle challenges and deliver meaningful, sustainable results. Participants will receive the Change Questions Digital Workbook, which can be used with their teams after the workshop, as well as a print copy of The Change Questions book by Lynn Kelley with John Shook. Topics Customized Change Strategies: Learn to develop robust plans tailored to your organization's unique needs. Insights from an Industry…
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03Jul 2025 by Jennifer Ayers
Webinar: Joy in the Workplace – Aug 13th

Webinar: Joy in the Workplace – Aug 13th

Events, Leadership~, Webinar
Overview In today’s fast-paced work environment, achieving a state where work feels as engaging and fulfilling as a hobby is a lofty yet attainable goal. This presentation explores the underlying factors that transform work from a mundane obligation into a source of joy and satisfaction. Central to this transformation is the concept of “flow.” We’ll discuss how the absence of joy is often a signal of underlying waste within processes and systems. Furthermore, we’ll delve into the importance of clear system ownership and thoughtful system design. Effective system design not only supports the elimination of waste but also enhances overall workplace efficiency and employee satisfaction. We will hear about five habits and tools within the Kaas Operating System that help them achieve joy on a daily basis: Kaizen: Literally translated…
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03Jul 2025 by Jennifer Ayers
Webinar – Leading Lean: Peer Insights – Sept 30th

Webinar – Leading Lean: Peer Insights – Sept 30th

Member Sharing, Webinar
In this member-to-member sharing session, you'll gain valuable insights directly from four leaders who have navigated the ups and downs of how to become a better leader in order to drive cultural transformation. This interactive webinar is designed to foster an open exchange of ideas, strategies, and practical solutions that you can apply. Make the most of this opportunity to enhance your lean journey with insights from those who have walked the path before you. Together, we can achieve more! Leading Lean Building a culture of continuous improvement is recognized as essential for sustained success. Leadership must focus on fostering collaboration, innovation, and psychological safety, encouraging employees at all levels to identify and solve problems. This session goes beyond theory—participants will hear real-world stories of transformation, practical insights into building…
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03Jul 2025 by Jennifer Ayers
Lean 101 (6-week virtual series) starts Sept 9th (1 spot left)

Lean 101 (6-week virtual series) starts Sept 9th (1 spot left)

Beginner~, Classes
Lean 101 - Fall 2025 series starting soon... Join us on a journey to discover the basic elements of lean principles and see the impact they make when you put them into practice. This course consists of six, one-hour classes focused on the foundational elements of lean. During this course, you will learn more about the history/background of lean, why these principles are important to creating a culture of excellence, standard work, 8 wastes, 5S, PDCA, and visual management. Each week will include instruction, discussion, and simulations followed by small project assignments between each class to help you practice the concepts in your own environment.Lean 101 is a beginning-level course that teaches participants the basic concepts of Lean Thinking. It is suitable for those who work in office or manufacturing…
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