Free Business Topics in Chicago

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

SORT: MOST RECENT | A - Z
  • Innovating Earned PR in an Evolving Media Environment

    Jennifer Fortney, President, Cascade Communications

    While the media world continues to shift and change, companies of all sizes are still hungry for the valuable earned media mentions and features that bring an unparalleled credibility. So, what are they to do? Jennifer shares that today, PR is much more than just earned media. It's more than the newspaper story on a plaque on the wall. MORE >

    It's search, reviews, how you use a story to gain even more traction and create content campaigns around it and best utilize the psychology of marketing and story telling to boost sales and donations.
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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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  • Games Prospects and Buyers Play

    Bryan McDonald, Partner/Owner, onPurpose Growth

    Old ways don't open new doors. We hear two things consistently these days: everybody sells or everybody is in sales. Nobody wants be sold. The question we ask ourselves is how do these two things coexist? The traditional way of selling leaves your prospects wanting something different and you, wanting more prospects! In The Games Buyers & Prospects Play session, we will have a roundtable discussion that includes the underlying psychology driving your buyer's and prospect's behavior. MORE >

    We will present how the elite sales professionals and entrepreneurs, across industries, change the rules of the game and thus change the behaviors to improve the outcomes of their sales efforts.

    If you struggle with:

    ✦Having prospects that you thought sounded positive but never respond to follow up
    ✦Prospects that meet with you regularly and never pay for your service aka free advice
    ✦If you have ever said “I wish I just have smarter clients”
    ✦Frankly, if you are just tired of doing the same old tactics that never feel right nor, get you where you want to be, The Games Buyers & Prospects Play may just open the door to new possibilities for you.

    Join us and we will discuss a way to change your results!

    You will walk away with:

    ✦Understanding the commonly accepted selling steps
    ✦Learn about what is driving your prospects/buyers reactions
    ✦Discover the inherent conflict between the 2 above, that stops/slows down your sales
    ✦Be introduced to some key concepts that break the old model

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  • What is the difference between a CFO and a Bookkeeper?

    Barrett Willich, CFO, Bear & Kenmore LLC

    Are you not getting the financial insights you feel you need to run your business efficiently? It could be because you are working with a bookkeeper, controller, or accountant, and not a CFO. A CFO looks at the business implications of financial decisions and makes recommendations on how to become more profitable. Bookkeepers, controllers, and accountants help keep the accounting correct, but rarely dig deeper into business implications. In this presentation, we will walk you through the key differences so you can determine who you need on your team. MORE >

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  • Success Blueprint: Strategies to Increase Sales, Be More Productive, Dominate Your Industry

    Scott Hansen, CEO, Scott Hansen Consulting

    Entrepreneurs and business owners who are looking to GET THE EDGE in their business. You will walk away looking at yourself and business in an entirely new light. High Performance Coach, Scott Hansen, shares key strategies to help any business owner get to the next level in their business. MORE >

    In this riveting 60 minute presentation, Scott will leave you with key strategies on how to Increase Sales, Become More Productive, and Dominate Your Industry and Stand Out from the Competition.
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  • Stop Chasing Talent Away -The Ultimate K.P.I. to Be a Talent Magnet

    Dennis Mellen, Owner, Full Throttle Leadership

    Break free of the old leadership model and become a visionary servant leader. Inspire your team to perform at a level they never dreamed possible with the ultimate KPI (key performance indicator).

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  • Building & Motivating High Performing Teams

    Nicole Caley, MBA, APM, ARM, APSC, President & Founder, Payables Solutions Partners, LLC

    In today’s world, the most sought out organizational leaders are part manager and part HR professional. Join veteran leader Nicole Caley in this session to learn skills necessary to elevate you into a true leader, instead of simply a manager. We will discuss how to identify your leadership style and how to develop the interpersonal skills needed to take charge. By learning to examine functional conflict and create strategies, you will not only staff your function effectively, but lead it to its fullest potential as well — building a high-performing team. MORE >

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  • Successful Supply Chain Strategies for Today’s Uncertain Times

    Lauren Pittelli, Principal, Baker Logistics Consulting Services Inc.

    Drawing on thirty year's experience shipping internationally, Lauren will discuss current supply chain challenges and provide strategies to navigate today's uncertain and competitive marketplace. Plan for success by increasing your company's flexibility while driving down transportation costs and risk. MORE >

    In this session, Lauren will cover specific strategies to capitalize on today's market opportunities by:

    - Reducing supply chain risk
    - Increasing efficiency and cost effectiveness
    - Incorporating new tools

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  • Cyber Threat Survival Guide Protecting Your Business from Harm

    Christopher Higgins, Cyber Security Analyst, CCS Technology Group

    In this dynamic and engaging presentation, we will take a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Join us as we review the current threat landscape, educate you on common cyber attacks, explore the motivations behind these hacking endeavors, and, most importantly, equip you with practical strategies to protect yourself and your business from the lurking bad actors. MORE >

    With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated by the day, it is crucial to understand the risks you face. Our presentation will shed light on the tactics employed by hackers, helping you decode their methods and motives. We will explore the inner workings of various cyber attacks, from phishing scams to ransomware, all presented in a conversational and approachable manner that even non-technical audiences can grasp.

    Armed with this knowledge, you will learn how to fortify your defenses and mitigate vulnerabilities. We will share key cybersecurity best practices and actionable steps, empowering you to safeguard your digital assets. From implementing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to educating your employees about social engineering techniques, we will cover it all.

    Join us for this eye-opening presentation and take the first step towards building a resilient cybersecurity posture. Don't wait for the bad actors to strike - together, we can overcome the cyber threats that loom in the digital realm.

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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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