Foundational AI for CI Professionals

Application~, Igniting Innovation~, Intermediate~
From First Prompt to Standard Work This six-module virtual workshop is for people focusing on process improvements in their organization and want to use AI tools the right way, not just poke around and hope for good results. You'll start by learning how AI language models actually work and what makes them useful (or not) for your work. From there, you'll build your own simple, reusable files that AI can use to help with the recurring CI tasks you already do, like writing reports, standardizing templates, or summarizing data. Think of it as building standard work for AI collaboration: a repeatable process with built-in checks, so you can trust the results. Everything is taught through hands-on exercises based on real CI work, not abstract AI theory. Learning Outcomes By the…
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Executive Leadership Keynote: Ideal Behaviors that Drive Ideal Results –  Nov 5

Executive Leadership Keynote: Ideal Behaviors that Drive Ideal Results – Nov 5

Developing People~, Events, Webinar
Ideal Behaviors that Drive Ideal Results - Creating an environment for an “I Matter” Culture What if the biggest lever for improving your business results wasn't a new process or a new tool, but how your people feel about coming to work? That's the question Gary Peterson has spent his career answering. Gary will join NWHPEC for a keynote built on a simple but hard-won idea: when leaders create an "I matter" atmosphere for every employee, those employees add more value to customers, and they make their teams better in the process. Gary's talk isn't theory. It's story-based, drawn from his own career, including the moments he got it wrong and what he changed because of it. He'll touch on what leaders should expect of themselves, how discipline and resilience…
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Lean Leadership Skills to Engage the Heart, Head, and Hands (3H) – Starts Sept 30 (>90% full)

Lean Leadership Skills to Engage the Heart, Head, and Hands (3H) – Starts Sept 30 (>90% 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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Lean 101 (6-week virtual series) Apr 23-May 28 (limited spots)

Lean 101 (6-week virtual series) Apr 23-May 28 (limited spots)

Beginner~, Classes
Lean 101 - Spring 2026 series starting soon... The AM session is full, join us at 1pm Pacific starting April 23, 2026 (limited spots left). 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, 1.5 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…
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5S Workshop (Kaizen-style) April 21-22 – FULL

5S Workshop (Kaizen-style) April 21-22 – FULL

Application~, Beginner~, Classes, Foundational~
Invest two days that will make a lasting impact! This immersive 5S Workshop combines hands-on learning with real-world results. Attendees will kick off with a half day of targeted 5S training, then apply their knowledge through a one-and-a-half-day kaizen event in Danner’s Recrafting Department. You’ll experience the full power of the learn-do model—developing practical 5S skills, driving measurable improvement, and gaining insights you can take back to strengthen your own workplace. Completion of Lean 101/Introduction to Lean or equivalent experience is required to participate in this action-packed, kaizen-style event. Dates: Tuesday April 21st and Wednesday, April 22nd 2026 Time: 7:30am-4:30pm Location: Danner Factory Store (Recrafting Department): 12021 NW Airport Way, Portland OR Cost:  $400 per person Key Concepts: Understanding that 5S is a problem exposure tool Defining the 5 S’s…
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Lean 101 (6-week virtual series) starts Jan 20th – FULL new Jan 22nd class has limited spots

Lean 101 (6-week virtual series) starts Jan 20th – FULL new Jan 22nd class has limited spots

Beginner~, Classes
Lean 101 - Winter 2026 series starting soon... The Tuesday class is full, we are running a concurrent session on Thursdays from 9-10:30 Pacific. Spots are filling fast 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…
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Leader Standard Work – Feb 6th (FULL)

Leader Standard Work – Feb 6th (FULL)

Beginner~, Classes, Leadership~
Class Description It’s time to learn and apply Leader Standard Work to your daily routine! The true purpose of leadership is to empower and develop your employees so they can achieve awesome things.  To accomplish this, you need a standard way of working that will allow you to maximize your efficiency and impact while fulfilling your most important duty to your people.As the whirlwind takes over our day, we quickly lose control of our priorities.  Once we fall into firefighting mode, our ability to improve and sustain processes and activities becomes secondary.  This is where Leader Standard Work (LSW) comes into play.  LSW is the foundation to creating new leadership habits that will allow you to spend more time listening to your team, developing your team’s problem-solving abilities, and sustaining…
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