Free Business Topics in Chicago

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  Is the Culture of Your Business by Choice or Chance? – Culture matters and leaving it to chance invites trouble.

  Mark James, Founder & President, Performance Advisors Group, Inc.

  A culture by chance is the welcome mat which invites variation into a business, hurting performance and results. On the other hand, a culture guided by choice helps prevent variation that hurt results. Get insights on how to make sure your organization’s culture enhances your value proposition and the customer experience instead of eroding them. Including a close look at the specific actions and behavior leaders must contribute to create the right culture. MORE >

  Attendee Takeaways
  -What defines company culture
  -Why culture matters
  -Which culture archetype describes your organization’s culture?
  -Key culture influencers
  -Actions to achieve culture by choice
  -Signs of an ideal culture

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  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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  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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  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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  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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  US – China Trade War

  Bill Liu, President, NaviAsia Advisors

  US President Donald Trump has complained about China's trading practices since before he took office in 2016. The US launched an investigation into Chinese trade policies in 2017. It imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese products last year, and Beijing retaliated in kind. MORE >

  The trade war between the two largest economies shows no sign of easing. What's next? Who will blink first? This presentation will guide you through the trade war and lead you to rethink the future of US-China relationship.

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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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  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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  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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