Business Consortium Workshop Series

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Business Consortium Workshop Series

Employee Growth. Employer Gains.

Successful businesses don’t just prioritize their customers—they invest in their people. Hiring the right employees is only the beginning; helping them grow is what drives long-term success.

This professional development series is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your workforce and improve organizational outcomes. Each month features an expert-led session focused on critical workplace topics such as leadership, accountability, inclusion, navigating change, time management, and more.

Designed to benefit employees across all industries—manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, retail, or beyond—these sessions deliver practical, relevant insights your team can immediately apply. Whether you're developing emerging leaders, enhancing team dynamics, or working to elevate workplace culture, this series supports meaningful, lasting growth. It’s a smart, strategic investment in your people—and in the long-term success of your business.

2025–2026 Workshop Series

The 2025–2026 workshop series runs from October through June. Classes take place on Thursdays from 8:30–11:30 AM at Hawkeye's Main Campus in Buchanan Hall. Check the workshop description for specific dates.

Participants who complete at least seven of the nine workshops will earn a certificate!

Bring Your Best Self to Work (October) Everyone deserves to accomplish, to feel accomplished and to have a high quality sense of well-being at work. It take an intentional set of mindsets and behaviors to make this happen, it doesn't just happen. People go to work each day just choosing to "show up", go through the motions and just get it done. That is a hollow experience. In this session, we will have a great and highly accountable discussion about bringing an intentional spirit to work that will align and allow each individual to dramatically improve how they feel and what they do at work immediately. You deserve it!

Date: October 23, 2025

Facilitator: Heather Woody

Influence and Accountability (November) Moving beyond telling people what to do is critical to the success of any leader. Using practical tools and their own real-life situations, each participant will learn how to get their team to take on bigger challenges and get more done.

Date: November 20, 2025

Facilitator: Joel Bennett

Leading & Navigating Change (December) Change is constant in today’s organizations, and leaders must be equipped to manage it effectively. This course explores the process of leading teams through change, from communicating change initiatives to managing resistance and fostering adaptability. Participants will learn how to create a clear vision for change, engage stakeholders, and guide their teams through transitions smoothly. The course emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and resilience in navigating both small and large-scale changes.

Date: December 18, 2025

Facilitator: Dr. Celina Peerman

Inclusion & Belonging (January) Promoting respect in the workplace begins with individual awareness that moves us toward authentic communication behaviors with each other: about ourselves, our questions, our concerns, our teammates. We will look positively at what each of us can do in Awareness and in Authentic Communication, and understand how these practices prevent discrimination, harassment, and hostile working environments.

Date: January 22, 2026

Facilitator: Sandra Flikkema

De-escalating Difficult Situations (February) Having the insight of what pushes our buttons and ramps up aggravation is key to managing one’s emotions when situations are tense. In this session, first we’ll explore personal values. When they are challenged, it can be a source of contention. Then, we’ll evaluate how our stress shows up. Are we aware of when our body signals that we are in a heightened state of emotion? Equipped with this self-knowledge can help us regulate our own emotions when faced with challenging situations. We apply this insight to a 5-step process of effectively deescalating difficult situations along with things to avoid when responding. Lastly, we’ll evaluate what’s within our control: our attitude, our tone, our choice of words all contributed to our ability to respond rather than react.

Date: February 19, 2026

Facilitator: Paulette Milewski

Power of Positivity (March) Research in the field of positive psychology in the past 10 years has demonstrated that happier employees are more likely to keep their jobs, showing productivity increases of up to 31% and added resiliency, along with suffering less burnout -- resulting in lower turnover. This training will share techniques for building a culture of positive thinking while exploring ways to recognize and deal with energy "zappers".

Date: March 12, 2026

Facilitator: Marcie Van Note

Time Management & Prioritization for Successful Days (April) We have a lot on our plates, and we must manage our time efficiently and prioritize tasks in order to get results – for ourselves, our company, and our customers. This session will provide tools and strategies for time management, delegation, and balancing responsibilities.

Date: April 16, 2026

Facilitator: Brenda Meeker

Creating a Sales and Service Mindset: Leadership Strategies to Shine (May) In today’s competitive and customer-driven environment, cultivating a sales and service mindset across all levels of an organization is essential for sustained growth and success. Through a blend of strategic frameworks, real-world case studies, and interactive discussions, participants will explore how to lead with intention, inspire cross-functional collaboration, and instill a mindset where every team member—regardless of role—contributes to revenue generation and customer service experience. The session will focus on practical leadership tools for shifting organizational behavior, coaching for accountability, and creating systems that reinforce sales and service excellence.

Date: May 21, 2026

Facilitator: Lisa Schaefer

Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety (June) Psychological safety is a critical ingredient in creating workplaces where individuals feel empowered to express ideas, share concerns, and take risks without fear of embarrassment or retaliation. This presentation explores the concept of psychological safety, its impact on team dynamics, and actionable steps to build it within your organization. Participants will learn how psychological safety drives innovation, collaboration, and engagement while equipping leaders with actionable tools.

Date: June 18, 2026

Facilitator: Sarah Hermanson

Save the Dates 2026–2027 Workshops

Mark your calendars! The 2026–2027 Business Consortium Workshops will be held in person on Wednesdays from 8:30–11:30 AM on the following dates: September 16, October 21, November 18, December 2, January 20, February 10, March 10, April 14, May 19, and June 2. Seats are $850 each. Plan ahead to join us for a year of learning, networking, and business growth!

Purchasing a Membership

Membership allows Hawkeye to offer valuable training topics at a lower cost to you.

Each membership includes one seat for every business workshop in the current series. Seats are flexible—any employee can attend any workshop, as they are not assigned to a specific person. However, if you plan to send multiple employees to the same workshop, additional seats must be purchased.

Consortium membership for the 2025–2026 series is $750 for the first seat and $500 for each additional seat.

Register

Complete the registration form below, and we’ll invoice your company. For any questions or more details, contact Corporate and Business Solutions.

Contact Us

Corporate & Business Solutions

Main Campus
Buchanan Hall 122
319-296-4223
Email Corporate and Business Solutions

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