Free Business Topics in Chicago

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Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.

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  Hire What You Can’t Change

  Tim Reynolds, Co-Founder, Clover Lane Partners, LLC

  If you are struggling with high turnover, you are not alone. Research shows that the main cause for this seemingly endless problem is not a mystery. A Harvard Business Review Survey found that 80% of turnover is due to poor hiring decisions. The new hires simply are the wrong fit for the job and are doomed to fail or leave from the start. MORE >

  It does not have to be this way. You can create a culture of loyalty and high performance and cut your hiring mistakes by focusing on the first day unchangeable core qualities required for the position and building a culture where people feel welcomed, empowered and valuable.

  This practical, hands on presentation/workshop will help you build a clear profile of who you are looking for, offer interview strategies to gather information related to that profile and examine how to process that information gathered and the ultimate question of whether they will thrive in the job and culture or not.

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  Hard Conversations for Avoiders

  Tim Reynolds, Co-Founder, Clover Lane Partners, LLC

  Most of us dislike confrontation. As a result, we often feel a primal urge to avoid it at almost any cost. But there are real costs to be paid. Avoidance damages relationships, hurts productivity, and undermines leadership authority and the ability to develop and mentor others. And avoidance is all too common and often ends up in terminations that go horribly wrong or broken relationships leaving all involved dispirited. MORE >

  This practical, hands on workshop will provide both the training on how to overcome avoidance and the how to have an effective difficult conversation that will benefit everyone involved.

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  Cash Flow is King: Why Profit Doesn’t Always Mean You’re in Control

  Mark Knaack, Business Development Director, Guardian Chamber

  Every business owner has heard the phrase “cash is king,” but too many discover the truth the hard way — when they run out of cash even though their business looks profitable on paper. Profit is an accounting result, but cash flow is what keeps the doors open, employees paid, and opportunities funded. MORE >

  At Guardian Chamber, we teach owners how to take control of their financial story by understanding where their money really goes, building systems to smooth out cash flow, and using credit as a safety net—not a crutch. Because when you have clarity on your cash, you gain both control and the confidence to scale.

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  The Hidden Value Driver: How Business Credit Builds Company Worth

  Mark Knaack, Business Development Director, Guardian Chamber

  Most business owners think of credit only as a way to borrow money, but the truth is, strong business credit is a hidden driver of company value. When banks, investors, and even potential buyers look at your business, they’re not just reviewing your financial statements — they’re evaluating your ability to access and manage capital without leaning on personal guarantees. MORE >

  A business with established credit is seen as more fundable, less risky, and ultimately more valuable. At Guardian Chamber, we show owners how building credit isn’t just about getting loans — it’s about creating leverage, increasing valuation, and giving you more control over your company’s growth and future.

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  Stories that Connect: Building Empathy Through Personal Narrative

  Leilani Garrett, Principal Storyteller / Founder, Be More Human

  In this 90-minute interactive experience, Leilani guides participants through the process of writing and sharing their personal stories. The result? Deeper trust, increased empathy, and real connection between colleagues who usually only talk in metrics. Ideal for leadership retreats, ERG activations, or culture-building experiences, this workshop makes space for brave reflection and meaningful dialogue—and leaves teams more human than they were before. MORE >

  This is more than a workshop—it’s a reset.

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  Building Collective Success: Empathy. Storytelling. & Change.

  Leilani Garrett, Principal Storyteller / Founder, Be More Human

  In a time when workplace connection is at an all-time low and culture-building feels more buzzword than blueprint, Leilani offers something different: a keynote that makes people feel—and think. Her signature talk, Building Collective Success: Empathy. Storytelling. & Change, challenges audiences to rethink the way we define leadership, performance, and culture. MORE >

  Through personal narrative, pop culture references, humor, and hard data, Leilani shows how story-driven empathy isn't just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a business imperative. Expect aha moments, audience participation, and a masterclass in communication that sticks long after the standing ovation.

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  Connecting People and Purpose: Rethinking Employee Engagement

  Anthony Bolden and Charles Cammack, Co-founders, BridgeWork LLC

  What if employee engagement isn’t about perks or productivity but about authentic investment? In this interactive session, we walk through the BridgeWork Framework to explore how people-centered workplaces are built when employees feel seen, supported, and connected to purpose. Participants will reflect on what they carry into the workplace, both personally and professionally, and how that shapes their contributions. Together, we’ll examine what it means to invest in work at a shallow or deep level and offer practical tools for building cultures where people thrive. Whether you’re leading a team or just finding your footing, this talk offers a fresh path forward that connects who we are with how we work. MORE >

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  Generation Z (Zoomers) in the Workplace

  Mary Erlain, President, Peak Development Strategies

  The workplace has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, driven by two seismic shifts: the pandemic and the generational turnover in the workforce. MORE >

  Time has seemed to fly by, bringing with it a wave of change that many of us barely registered. A new generation has quietly entered the workplace, but have we truly acknowledged their arrival?

  For many, the answer is no—and for a good reason. Gen Z stepped into their professional roles during a time of unprecedented disruption. Remote work and virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom replaced traditional onboarding experiences, making their entry less noticeable but no less impactful.

  Their influence on organizations has been significant, though often misunderstood. This book, The Zoomers: Our Next Generational Wave in the Workplace, aims to change that. It offers an insightful and constructive perspective on Gen Z, challenging stereotypes and providing a deeper understanding of their values, behaviors, and expectations.

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  Empowering the Multi-Generational Workforce

  Mary Erlain, President, Peak Development Strategies

  Much has changed since 2020, and our workforce has undergone a dramatic shift. One entire generation has retired, while another has entered in greater numbers, reshaping the dynamics of our workplaces. MORE >

  We work in a diverse environment where embracing differences can drive business growth—if organizations empower their workforce to leverage their unique gifts and values. The real challenge lies in finding effective ways to do just that: fostering inclusion and enabling employees to thrive.

  Explore strategies to bridge generational gaps among staff and recognize how, often unintentionally, we might be contributing to the problem rather than being part of the solution.

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  Don’t Jump Out of That Plane | How to Control Your Brain to Make Yourself Limitless

  Michael Opyd, President, Dynamic Ventures LLC

  Everyone has a comfort zone that our brains try to keep us in. This comfort zone is built to help us survive. But what happens when we get outside of our comfort zone? The only way to escape it is to understand why the zone exists and what we can do to battle all of the forces that are trying to keep us in it. MORE >

  Did you know your brain has two functions, one to keep you alive and two to keep you safe? It's the latter that controls you more than anything. But what if you could control it? What would you do if you were able to be limitless? I have spent a lot of time understanding how our brains work and how we can control them. If you want to know how you can take control of your brain please reach out and let's discuss more.

  I'd love an opportunity to come and speak to any audience big or small. If you have any questions please contact me! I look forward to the opportunity to help!

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