Free Business Topics in Chicago

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  • The Hidden Value Driver: How Business Credit Builds Company Worth

    Mark Knaack, Business Development Director, Guardian Chamber

    Most business owners think of credit only as a way to borrow money, but the truth is, strong business credit is a hidden driver of company value. When banks, investors, and even potential buyers look at your business, they’re not just reviewing your financial statements — they’re evaluating your ability to access and manage capital without leaning on personal guarantees. MORE >

    A business with established credit is seen as more fundable, less risky, and ultimately more valuable. At Guardian Chamber, we show owners how building credit isn’t just about getting loans — it’s about creating leverage, increasing valuation, and giving you more control over your company’s growth and future.
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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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  • You Never Said Anything: Why High Performers Get Passed Over

    Rosie Zilinskas, Keynote Speaker | Certified High-Performance Coach, No Woman Left Behind

    High-performing women in corporate roles deliver real results every day. And yet, many of them are still not being recognized and rewarded at the level they have earned. MORE >

    It is not because they lack talent. It is not because they lack confidence. It is because of the Articulation Gap: the distance between the impact they create and the impact leadership recognizes and rewards.

    In this keynote, Rosie Zilinskas reveals why strong work alone does not lead to advancement, and what high-performing women can do about it. Drawing from over 30 years of corporate leadership experience, including Executive Vice President at AIG Private Client Group, Rosie delivers a practical, story-driven talk that resonates with women across industries and leadership levels.

    Her structured approach is built on three pillars:
    ~ Clarity: knowing your impact in measurable terms
    ~ Composure: delivering your impact when the pressure is on
    ~ Conviction: directing your impact to the people who make decisions about your career

    What attendees will walk away with:
    ~ A name for the invisible problem that has been stalling their careers
    ~ The ability to translate task language into impact language that leadership responds to
    ~ A clear, repeatable structure for articulating their value in performance reviews, leadership conversations, and interviews
    ~ The knowledge that they were never behind. They simply had not been taught how to say what they do in the language that gets recognized and rewarded

    Ideal for:
    ~ Mid-level to senior women in corporate roles (Director, VP, Senior Manager)
    ~ High-performing women in finance, insurance, and structured performance-driven organizations
    ~ Women's leadership summits and ERG events
    ~ Corporate learning series and leadership development programs
    ~ Association meetings and industry conferences

    Rosie Zilinskas is a keynote speaker, Certified High Performance Coach, and StoryBrand Certified Guide. She is the Incoming President of the NSA Illinois Chapter (July 2026) and host of the No Woman Left Behind podcast.

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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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  • AI for Business Leaders: What Executives Need to Know Now

    Jennifer Witter, Founder and CEO, Witter Enterprise Solutions, LLC

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, make decisions, and compete. This presentation provides business leaders and executives with a practical understanding of AI. What it is, how it works, and where it is already creating value in business functions such as finance, operations, marketing, and strategy. Participants will learn how AI can enhance data analysis, improve forecasting, increase operational efficiency, and support better decision-making. MORE >

    The session also addresses common misconceptions, risks, and ethical considerations, helping leaders understand how to responsibly adopt AI tools while maintaining human judgment and strategic oversight. This talk is designed for leaders who want a clear, practical perspective on how AI is shaping the future of business.
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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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