Free Business Topics in Chicago

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3: Browse for a topic, Click the orange request button, Fill out the contact form.
Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.

  • Connecting People and Purpose: Rethinking Employee Engagement in Mission-Driven Organizations

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

    In this interactive talk, we’ll explore the often-overlooked aspect of nonprofit leadership: the importance of putting people first to achieve mission success. You’ll learn why aligning organizational goals with the personal and professional growth of your employees is not only beneficial but essential for long-term sustainability. We’ll challenge the traditional narrative that places the burden of engagement solely on employees, shifting the focus to leadership's role in fostering a culture where both the organization and its people can thrive. MORE >

    Key Takeaways:
    - Understanding "Developmental Reciprocity": Discover how investing in your people creates a legacy of growth that extends beyond your organization.
    - Illustrating the BridgeWork Framework: Explore a proven approach to optimizing employee experience and driving organizational success through the phases of joining, learning, growing, and leaving.
    - Practical Insights: Engage with seven critical questions designed to help you evaluate and enhance your current workforce development strategies.
    - Actionable Steps: Learn how to balance your mission-driven goals with the needs of your employees, creating a more engaged, productive, and loyal workforce.

    Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, HR professional, or team manager, this talk will provide you with the tools and insights needed to build a thriving, purpose-driven workplace. Join us to rethink how we can better connect people and purpose in the nonprofit sector.

    Request This Free Speech

  • The Power of the Pivot: Reinventing Success After Setbacks

    Amanda Wittenborn, Owner, Amanda Creation Inc.

    In this compelling talk, Amanda Wittenborn reveals how she turned multiple business failures into opportunities for reinvention and growth. After losing her business twice — first from being banned on Etsy, and then from the collapse of her party supplies business during COVID - Amanda’s story is a testament to the power of persistence and adaptability. MORE >

    She shares how she turned each setback into a stepping stone, rebuilding her business with even greater success each time. Learn how to embrace change, pivot with purpose, and build a business that not only survives but thrives, no matter what challenges come your way.
    Request This Free Speech

  • Unlocking Your Superpower: The Secrets of a 7-Figure Entrepreneur

    Amanda Wittenborn, Owner, Amanda Creation Inc.

    Step into a transformative workshop led by 7-figure entrepreneur Amanda Wittenborn, designed to help you uncover the hidden strengths that make you and your business truly exceptional. Through a series of interactive exercises, you’ll gain deep insights into why your customers choose you over the competition and discover the unique superpowers you bring to the table. MORE >

    This immersive experience isn’t just about learning—it’s about shifting your mindset and recognizing the thousands of little things you do every day that add up to greatness. By the end of the day, you’ll leave feeling uplifted, successful, and ready to take your business to new heights, armed with the confidence and clarity that comes from understanding just how amazing you truly are.
    Request This Free Speech

  • Unified Leadership Mindset: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

    Margaret van Steenderen, Founder / Lead Development Coach, SLGM LLC

    The "Unified Leadership Mindset: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities" talk introduces a new way of thinking about leadership. This mindset focuses on long-term success, ethical decision-making, and continuous improvement. You'll learn how to plan for the future, take care of your team's well-being, use resources wisely, and make fair decisions that benefit everyone. MORE >

    This talk also covers how to think and act like a leader. You’ll explore self-reflection, setting clear goals, and building strong relationships with your team. Additionally, you'll discover the importance of a growth mindset, which is all about embracing challenges, learning from setbacks, and constantly improving. By combining these ideas, you'll develop a leadership mindset that helps you lead effectively and make a positive impact on your team and organization.
    Request This Free Speech

  • Border Patrol: Keeping Your Sanity with Clear Boundaries

    Marie Genevieve Pawlak, CEO, Prime Alchemy a division of Planning101 Group

    Ever felt like you're walking a tightrope between what's expected, what's communicated, and where the lines are drawn? You're not alone! Dive into an exhilarating journey with us as we unravel the art of juggling expectations, mastering the craft of crystal-clear communication, and drawing boundaries that everyone respects (and maybe even appreciates!). MORE >

    We’re here to share game-changing strategies and insights in a world where the only constant is change, and the lines often seem more like squiggles. Join us for a session that promises not just lightbulb moments but fireworks! Expect to laugh, nod in agreement, and maybe even facepalm as we explore the often comical, sometimes challenging, but always crucial world of expectations, communication, and boundaries.
    Request This Free Speech

  • Murder by Meeting: Reviving the Workplace One Meeting at a Time

    Marie Genevieve Pawlak, CEO, Prime Alchemy a division of Planning101 Group

    Life is too short to be killed by meetings! Whether virtual or in-person, meetings should be an opportunity to connect, learn, encourage, and get things done. So, how do you make your meetings better for everyone? MORE >

    In this fun and engaging talk, we'll dive into the seven ways people unknowingly sabotage meetings and, more importantly, how to stop them. You will laugh, cry, and maybe even admit that you’ve been guilty of a few meeting crimes yourself. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

    Join us to discover:

    The seven deadly meeting sins that drain energy and productivity.
    Practical tips to transform your meetings into productive, engaging sessions.
    Techniques to foster better communication and collaboration, whether virtual or in-person.
    Real-life examples of meeting makeovers that have led to remarkable results.

    By the end of this session, you'll walk away with a clear action plan to make your next meeting not just good but great. Say goodbye to boring, ineffective meetings and hello to a more vibrant, productive workplace!

    Request This Free Speech

  • The Alchemy of Motivation: Elevating Workplace Performance

    Marie Genevieve Pawlak, CEO, Prime Alchemy a division of Planning101 Group

    Are you ready to transform your workplace and inspire your team to achieve peak performance? Join us for a fun and enlightening session on "The Alchemy of Motivation," where we'll dive deep into the science of what truly drives us to do our best work. Discover the secrets behind creating a motivating culture, practical strategies for leaders, and how to foster a sense of purpose and autonomy in your team. MORE >

    In this engaging and interactive talk, you'll learn:

    The latest research on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and why it matters.
    How to build a workplace culture that motivates and inspires.
    Real-world examples of successful motivation strategies from top companies.
    Techniques to sustain long-term motivation and track engagement.

    Through storytelling and hands-on exercises, you'll leave with actionable insights and tools to elevate your team's performance and create a fulfilling work environment. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to turn motivation into your team's superpower!

    Request This Free Speech

  • The Power of “Both/And” in an “Either/Or” World (Employee Focus)

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

    Sustained success is determined by an individual's ability to bridge any set of competing ideas, perspectives, or priorities. Through this interactive and thought provoking talk, Anthony and Charles will provide practical tools on how to “do Bridgework.” MORE >

    BridgeWork is a professional development training method that is designed to help individuals within the workforce and really life in general, become professionally ambidextrous - embracing the realities of both/and instead of either/or. Participants will learn how to bridge common workplace and personal divides and forge critical connections in every area of their life.

    By the end of this talk, your group will understand that seemingly competing goals can coexist and gain tools to navigate the tension when feeling the pressure to choose an either/or.

    Request This Free Speech

  • The Power of “Both/And” in an “Either/Or” World (Employer Focus)

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

    As a society we are in the midst of a workforce crisis that often posits that you can either prioritize your company's fiscal success or the development and subsequent happiness of your employees. At BridgeWork we believe that both can be true simultaneously. MORE >

    We believe that the key to a thriving organizational culture lies in the balanced development of its members. Through this interactive and thought provoking talk, Anthony and Charles will provide practical tools on how to maximize your employees experience through focusing on four areas of your organization: hiring, onboarding, professional development, and off-boarding.

    By the end of this talk, your group will understand that seemingly competing goals (the prioritization of company vs. employee) cannot only coexist when feeling the pressure to choose an either/or, but your organization will be better for it in the long run.

    Request This Free Speech

  • Rearchitecting Work: POSSIBILITY PARTNERS UNLEASHING POTENTIAL

    Dianne M. Michels, HR Possibility Partner, Author, Rearchitecting Work Speaker, possibilitypartners.org

    A Blueprint for "Unlocking the Power of Human Resources to Unleash the Potential of Human Beings" . . . enabling organizations to set bold goals that can be achieved with more PREDICTABILITY, INNOVATION, and EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT! MORE >

    Learn about the key paradigm shifts that provide the foundation for the changes in conditions, relationships, cultural norms, and leadership approaches that can transform people's relationship to work from a burden to survive to a possibility to thrive . . . while producing results that meet or exceed revenue, profitability, and growth goals of the enterprise.

    You will be introduced to the 10 design principles that support the paradigm shifting changes in assumptions, beliefs, and behavioral practices that enable people to go beyond learning new skills to expanding their adaptability, flexibility, resiliency, and self-directedness in a world that is increasingly more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.

    The 10 design principles include:
    Ch. 1 Alignment between HR and the CEO
    Ch. 2 Unlocking the Power of HR to Unleash the Potential Within Your Workplace
    Ch. 3 The Power of Possibility - "There are no mistakes; only possibilities" Tina Fey
    Ch. 4 Leadership Beliefs and Behaviors that model mutual respect, trust, transparency . . .
    Ch. 5 Inspiring Ownership for Results vs. Holding People Accountable
    Ch. 6 Igniting Results: Expressing Our Value vs. Proving Our Worth
    Ch. 7 Participating, Contributing, Self-Expressing vs. Checking Off Our To Do Lists - "Only do what your heart tells you." Princess Diana
    Ch. 8 Celebrating Diversity as a Competitive Edge!
    Ch. 9 Recruiting: Creating Raving Fans - "Transforming often dreaded interview interrogations into life-affirming conversations.
    Ch. 10 Communications: Creating Psychological Safety so People can Speak Candidly With One Another Regardless of the Hierarchy -
    "Relationships determine the quality of our lives, and conversations determine the quality of our relationships."

    Can be presented virtually via ZOOM.

    Request This Free Speech
1 2 3 … 11