Free Business Topics in Chicago

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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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  Harnessing Hypnosis For Sales Success

  Joe Rosner, Sales Success Trainer, 1st Ayd Corporation

  This is a POWERFUL educational experience combines audience participation with simple, effective strategies, tactics and techniques to accelerate learning and increase retention.

  This short entertaining program includes-
  *What Hypnosis is and Isn't
  *History of Hypnosis
  *Demonstration of Hypnotic Technique MORE >

  Participants will learn how hypnosis can-
  *Reduce Anxiety
  *Eliminate Call Reluctance
  *Improve Self-Confidence
  *Remove Self-limiting Beliefs
  *Improve Memory
  *Create Positive Thoughts and Habits and Eliminate Negative Ones

  You will enjoy this high-energy, informal, personal, presentation, punctuated with enough uncommonly known information to keep your team interested and involved.

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  Thoughtful Data: Ensuring Equity and Avoiding Harm in Analysis and Evaluation

  Lakeshia Wright, Founder and Principal, Guided by Community

  This session explores six critical areas where data framing and evaluation practices may unintentionally marginalize or harm vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing systemic injustices. Participants will learn actionable strategies to identify and mitigate these challenges at every stage of the data lifecycle—from design to dissemination. By adopting a thoughtful and equity-centered approach, attendees will be empowered to produce more inclusive, impactful, and measurable outcomes in their work. MORE >

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  Navigating Disruptive Change: Communicating you Care in the Moments that Matter

  Linda Carlisle, Founder, Fractional Comms & Culture Advisor, COMM-ext, LLC

  Navigating change is a high risk in the best of times. In a world where 2/3 of the American Workforce is Disengaged, disruptive organizational change can be catastrophic. But what if there were a way to navigate change while simultaneously re-engaging and re-energizing your people and building a high-performing culture? The secret to navigating disruptive change while building the high-performance culture of tomorrow is effectively communicating that you care in the moments that matter. MORE >

  In this talk, we will explore the many people-related risks that organizations face when navigating the inevitable change they will face in today's fast-paced business environment and a handful of earnest, high-integrity communication techniques that will help your people navigate change while maintaining high psychological safety and rebuilding their engagement, alignment, and excitement about your company and their work.

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  Emerging Trends in Fraud Prevention Technology

  Jiaqi Chen, Business Intelligence Analyst

  An insightful analysis of technological innovations transforming the fraud prevention landscape. Through comprehensive trend analysis and industry insights, this presentation examines how emerging technologies are reshaping fraud detection strategies and what organizations need to know to stay ahead of evolving threats.

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