Blogs

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Like Sands through an Hourglass ...

By Jo Haberstok posted 25 days ago
Like sands through AN hourglass … by Jo Haberstok The rest of it usually goes “…so are the days of our lives.” Apropos as 2025 comes to an end and we embark on a new year once again. Remember, your best resolution is the one you can keep on your worst week. There’s no point in creating a long list of great ideas that you already probably know either aren’t really achievable or that they aren’t going to be achieved by you. Be honest. I read this in an article online last week: “New Year’s resolutions have a reputation problem. They’re like gym memberships: bought with hope in ...

January 2026 Columbia Basin ASQ Newsletter

By Jo Haberstok posted 25 days ago
The J anuary 2026 Columbia Basin ASQ newsletter is now available. There are many ASQ section and division meetings and webinars being offered in January. Check them out! Also be sure to check the ASQ Events Calendar for even more learning opportunities. Remember, you can earn RUs for attendance at meetings, webinars and conferences. .

December 17 Virtual Meeting: "Surprising Mitigations from Fault Tree Analysis - Don't Stop with the Fault Tree!"

By Jo Haberstok posted 12/02/25
Invitation from Inland Empire, Temecula, and San Gabriel Valley ASQ Sections Virtual Meeting December 17, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm PST Barry Craner, FASQ, CQE, CQA, CMDA, RAC(US), MS+, MBA ASQ Pacific Region Director The Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) is a tool for any problem from an event or hazard when one desires to understand possible future or past causes. It can be used in Root Cause Analysis (like a Fishbone analysis), and in Risk Management in device design and process development. One starts with an event or hazard, then proceeds through a few levels of possible succeeding causes. However, ...

December 10 Webinar: 'The Invisible Knife: What’s Sabotaging Your Projects, and How to Stop It"

By Jo Haberstok posted 12/02/25
The Invisible Knife: What’s Sabotaging Your Projects, and How to Stop It Lean Enterprise Division Webinar December 10, 2025 10:00 am to 11:00 am PST Taryn Shipley, SSBB Founder and CEO of Lean HealthTech This is a virtual/online (WebEx) webinar. Log-in information will be provided on the registration confirmation email. Projects often fail for reasons that have nothing to do with tools, funding, or timelines. The real culprit is harder to see: mental energy. Silent meetings, endless rabbit holes, and resistance ...

As the New Year Approaches ... (article)

By Jo Haberstok posted 12/02/25
AS THE NEW YEAR APPROACHES… by Robert Boykin This is the time of year when we make lists of things we want to change in our lives. Things such as losing weight, quitting smoking, reading more and/or better books, and (perhaps) drinking less alcohol. We don’t accomplish our resolutions at times because many of the goals we set for ourselves are too ambitious. This is not to suggest that we should not strive to improve our conduct and character, but rather to say we ought to set goals that we are more likely to accomplish. When we fail to meet our goals, we end up feeling bad about ourselves and we return to the ...

December 2025 Columbia Basin ASQ Newsletter

By Jo Haberstok posted 12/02/25
The December 2025 Columbia Basin ASQ newslette r is now available. We encourage everyone to sign up for and participate in one or more of the many ASQ section or division meetings in November. Check the ASQ Events Calendar for even more offerings. There are a lot of opportunities for learning, networking, and growth!

November 2025 Columbia Basin ASQ Newsletter

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
The November 2025 Columbia Basin ASQ newslette r is now available. We encourage everyone to sign up for and participate in one or more of the many ASQ section or division meetings in November. Check the ASQ Events Calendar for even more offerings. There are a lot of opportunities for learning, networking, and growth!

Upcoming ASQ Certification Exams - Applications due November 10

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
UPCOMING ASQ CERTIFICATION EXAMS Have you been thinking about applying for an ASQ certification? Why not stop thinking about it and just do it! As an ASQ member, you’ll save $100 off the usual (non-member) fee for each exam. Applications are now being accepted for the following exams scheduled for December 1-31. The application deadline is November 10. · CQA (Quality Auditor) · CQE (Quality Engineer) · CQIA (Quality Improvement Associate) · CSQE (Software Quality Engineer) · CSSGB (Six Sigma Green Belt) · CQPA (Quality Process Analyst) ...

Volunteers Count Award Recipient - Jo Haberstok

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
VOUNTEERS COUNT AWARD RECIPIENT – JO HABERSTOK! With the support of KXLY4 News, Apple Valley News Now (KAPP-KVEW), and community members, STCU and their Volunteers Count program identifies and honors volunteers in their viewing areas who faithfully dedicate their energy and resources to serving nonprofit organizations in their communities. We join in congratulating the most recent recipient of this well-deserved recognition: Jo Haberstok. Our Columbia Basin ASQ section also received a check in the amount of $1000! For more than 30 years, Jo has dedicated countless hours and skills to advancing quality practices locally, regionally, and nationally. ...

ASQ Offers Early Quality Professional Membershp Discount

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
ASQ OFFERS EARLY QUALITY PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT Great Opportunity for NextGen Quality Professionals ASQ recently announced a reduced membership offer. The Early Quality Professional (EQP) discount has been created to make joining AQ more accessible – and to grow the next generation of quality leaders. It is hoped that lowering the cost of entry will make it easier for early career professionals – those who may be new to quality, just finishing school, or just starting their careers – to connect with ASQ , discover resources that will support their growth, and build meaningful relationships within the ASQ community. Current student ...

ASQ Speaker Directory - Sign up and Share Your Knowledge!

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
ASQ SPEAKER DIRECTORY Do you have knowledge or experience in quality that others could benefit from? Consider adding yourself to ASQ’s Speaker Directory! This directory helps fellow members across ASQ find speakers on a variety of quality-related topics. Whether you enjoy presenting in person or virtually, it's a great way to share your expertise, support your peers, and help advance the practice of quality. Interested? Just take a few minutes to fill out your speaker profile here . Make sure to toggle the "Show my Speaker Profile in search results?" to Yes. You’ll be able to list your topic areas, preferred locations, and ...

On-Demand Video - "Bridging Generational Gaps"

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
BRIDGING GENERATIoNAL GAPS On Demand Video “Ask the Experts” is a series of monthly workshops aimed at educating people on crucial workplace topics. Thanks to the generosity of STCU, the Ask the Experts program is offered free of charge to the entire Tri-Cities business community. This session (recorded February 18) features two experts with unique perspectives on working with intergenerational teams. They explore strategies for fostering collaboration, communication, and understanding across generational divides. By addressing the specific challenges each generation faces and leveraging diverse perspectives, the panel will highlight ...

October 20225 Columbia Basin ASQ Newsletter

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
The October 2025 Columbia Basin ASQ Newsletter has been posted.

September 2025 Columbia Basin ASQ Newsletter

By Jo Haberstok posted 10/28/25
The September 2025 Columbia Basin ASQ Newsletter has been posted.

November 1 - Pacific Region Quality Conference (Virtual)

By Jo Haberstok posted 09/19/25
2025 PACIFIC REGION QUALITY CONFERENCE Virtual Event – November 1 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm PDT The themes for this year’s virtual Pacific Region conference are “Beyond 2025: Forging and Paving a Reliable Future” and “Building Dependability ad Resilience in the Face of Disruption.” This event is intended to provide a forum for like-minded professionals to share their ideas and learn from workshops and presentations, resulting in enhancements to personal development and business acumen, all building on the foundation of quality. There will also be many opportunities for networking with others. Focus areas: · Cyber ...

Summer Word Fun

By Jo Haberstok posted 09/19/25
SUMMER WORD FUN While you’re chillaxing in your hammock before the end of summer, here’s something fun to do. Word Scramble – Rearrange the letters to spell words related to summertime. cnaoe __________________ 2. nradeg __________________ 3. imgmswin __________________ 4. rezeeb __________________ 5. nigfhis __________________ 6. coesppli __________________ 7. ecssnuren __________________ 8. endelmao _________________ 9. etofbroa __________________ ...

What Are You Doing for Others?

By Jo Haberstok posted 09/19/25
Food for Thought --- WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS? (from The Socratic Method website) Martin Luther King, Jr.'s quote, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” encourages deep reflection on our purpose and impact on the world. At its core, this quote emphasizes the significance of selflessness, kindness, and service to others. It challenges us to consider the ways in which we contribute positively to the lives of those around us, highlighting the idea that our actions should not solely benefit ourselves but also reach out to support and uplift others. This fundamental principle resonates profoundly ...

September 11: Business After Hours/Networking Event in Kennewick WA

By Jo Haberstok posted 08/21/25
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS – NETWORKING EVENT September 11 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm PDT in Kennewick The Tri-City Regional Chamber offers monthly opportunities to meet and network with other business professionals at existing and new businesses in our area. Each month a different sponsor hosts the event and has the opportunity to showcase their goods and services amid a fun and social atmosphere. This month’s event is being hosted by Tee Time, located at 2203 West 4 th Avenue in Kennewick. There will be refreshments and beverages. Bring your business card to enter to win a door prize. No reservations are ...

September 27 - ASQ Inspection Division & Toronto ASQ Section Joint Conference: "Quality Excellence in the Age of AI: A New Paradigm"

By Jo Haberstok posted 08/21/25
QUALITY EXCELLENCE IN THE AGE OF AI: A NEW PARADIGM ASQ Inspection Division and Toronto ASQ Section Joint Conference September 27 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm PDT in Toronto Dive into the world of quality control with leading experts at this conference. There will be educational sessions, exhibits and sponsor booths, and networking opportunities. Learn from top visionaries in the quality field. Keynote speakers include Dr. Michael Mladjenovic and Sunee Samuel. Other featured speakers include Vijay Thamaraikannan, Nikhil Pal, Denis Devos, Jonathan Madriaga, and Sarah Manea. Cost is $75 for ASQ members and ...

September 10 & 11 in Reno: 31st Annual ASQ Audit Division Conference

By Jo Haberstok posted 08/21/25
ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE IN AUDITING: NAVIGATING THE NEW ERA 31 st Annual ASQ Audit Division Conference September 10 and 11 in Reno Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing auditing. Businesses expect auditors to lead the way, and companies expect auditors to have a role in evaluating their use of AI. By analyzing substantial amounts of data, AI can improve audit efficiency, quality, and risk assessments. Using AI-powered technology and tools, an auditor can move beyond traditional practices to analyze information more efficiently, and this can enhance the quality of first, second, and third-party audits. This ...