Free Business Topics in Chicago

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  • Emotional Intelligence for Leadership Success

    Ron Martin, Principal, Founder, Executive Coach, Ocean Park Strategic Advisors

    In today's dynamic and fast-paced business environment, effective leadership is not just about making strategic decisions or achieving bottom-line results—it's also about understanding and effectively managing the emotions of oneself and others. As a seasoned speaker and expert in emotional intelligence for leadership success, I provide invaluable insights and practical strategies to help leaders excel in their roles. MORE >

    The role of organizational culture cannot be understated when it comes to shaping leaders' emotional intelligence skills. By fostering a culture that prioritizes empathy, self-awareness, and psychological safety, organizations can empower leaders to develop stronger emotional intelligence competencies. This includes the ability to understand and regulate their own emotions, as well as effectively navigate the emotions of others.

    By leveraging my expertise in emotional intelligence, interpersonal communications, and culture change, I work with organizations to cultivate environments that support the growth and development of emotionally intelligent leaders. Through tailored interventions and practical guidance, I help leaders enhance their ability to lead with authenticity, empathy, and resilience.

    Ultimately, fostering a culture of emotional intelligence not only benefits individual leaders but also has far-reaching implications for organizational success. Leaders who possess strong emotional intelligence skills are better equipped to inspire trust and collaboration, navigate change and adversity, and foster a positive and inclusive work environment.

    In essence, my approach to emotional intelligence for leadership success is rooted in empowering leaders to harness the power of emotions to drive positive outcomes and foster a culture of excellence. By equipping leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to lead with authenticity and empathy, I help organizations build stronger, more effective leadership teams and achieve sustainable success.

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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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  • The Power of Storytelling to Your Organizations Culture, Growth and Innovation

    Jennifer Fortney, President, Cascade Communications

    The way you tell the story of your business or organization is all that matters to your customer. Today, customers want to be more engaged with the companies in which they do business and organizations' they support. The story is the reason they buy or donate. It is what they will share with friends and family when asked about where they purchased or what causes to do they support. MORE >

    The trick is that not everyone knows how to tell their story well across all platforms. This is where Jennifer comes in to walk you through finding your story and telling it appropriately and consistently for brand building.
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  • Utilizing Marketing Automation for Prospect Qualification

    Franklin D. Rivera II, Founder/CEO, The V2M2 Group, Inc.

    Many companies fail to utilize marketing automation. Most do not know what Marketing Automation is! Marketing automation refers to the software that exists with the goal of automating marketing actions. Many marketing departments have to automate repetitive tasks such as emails, social media, and other website actions. MORE >

    The technology of marketing automation makes these tasks easier (Hubspot). Even more importantly, marketing automation is like hiring a sales force to pre-qualify prospects without having to hire a sales force. Franklin will cover why marketing automation is so critical for the growth of your company and share the best software and practices for utilizing this amazing tool.
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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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