Free Business Topics in Chicago

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

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  Thoughtful Data: Ensuring Equity and Avoiding Harm in Analysis and Evaluation

  Lakeshia Wright, Founder and Principal, Guided by Community

  This session explores six critical areas where data framing and evaluation practices may unintentionally marginalize or harm vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing systemic injustices. Participants will learn actionable strategies to identify and mitigate these challenges at every stage of the data lifecycle—from design to dissemination. By adopting a thoughtful and equity-centered approach, attendees will be empowered to produce more inclusive, impactful, and measurable outcomes in their work. MORE >

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  The Three Most Powerful Actions of Value-driven Leaders

  Susan Neustrom, Ed.D., Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker, Educator, Leading to Action

  Leadership is hard work because the need to be socially connected at all time is a necessity for leaders to influence, impact, and direct organizations, people, and change. Business challenges require fast, direct decisions, therefore, leaders are relentlessly communicating with multiple stakeholders through email, phone, and technology. Yet, the most powerful leaders understand the demands of being a leader and create a mental space to be alone with their thoughts emotions, and values. MORE >

  In this presentation, Dr. Susan Neustrom will demonstrate how solitude, silence, and reflection can actually enhance social interaction and increase authentic and ethical leadership behavior. She will provide strategies to create a personal sanctuary for leaders to renew, reevaluate, and reorient your moral compass for more effective, ethical decision making.

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  The Referral Process – Developing a Referral System for Explosive Growth

  Tom Kelly, Business Coach, Potential In Motion

  If referrals are a part of your business, then this presentation is for you! In this presentation, Mater Certified Business Coach Tom Kelly talks about potential sources for referrals, how to overcome your fears around asking for referrals, and how to build an effective referral system that will help you generate solid leads on a regular basis. MORE >

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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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  The Power of Social Media For All Businesses

  Troy Sandidge, Keynote Speaker • Emcee • Fractional CMO • Podcaster • Author, Strategy Hackers

  Looking to grow your business primarily using social media? The undeniable truth is Social Media is a platform for real networking, growth, and engagement for any business irrespective of the industry. Social media marketing, when done right, allows you to amplify your content to a highly targeted audience with content that connects. MORE >

  This session will break down social media to key concepts and give the tools to expand your reach with social.

  ** This session can be customized for audience type and social media platforms you would like to put emphasis on.

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  The Mindset That Changes Everything: Leading With Clarity, Compassion, and Human Strength

  Clara Lucia Jaramillo-Carrier, M.A., PCC, Purpose, Life, Executive Coach and Author, Breaking Through Consulting & Coaching

  Leadership today is not failing because of a lack of talent or intelligence—it’s being strained by chronic pressure, fear-driven thinking, and disconnection from what makes us human. In environments that reward speed, certainty, and constant performance, leaders often lose access to their most powerful resource: a grounded, positive mindset that creates clarity, perspective, and empathy. MORE >

  This session reframes positive mindset as a leadership discipline—not cheerfulness, denial, or motivational talk, but the ability to choose thoughts, perspectives, and responses that expand capacity rather than contract it. Participants explore how mindset directly shapes leadership presence, relationships, and decision-making—and how reconnecting with purpose and humanity restores effectiveness, trust, and resilience in today’s complex world.

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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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  The Cost of Constant Pressure: Why Productivity Culture Is Breaking Leadership—and How Purpose Restores It

  Clara Lucia Jaramillo-Carrier, M.A., PCC, Purpose, Life, Executive Coach and Author, Breaking Through Consulting & Coaching

  We are working harder than ever—yet trust is lower, relationships are strained, and leaders are exhausted. Today’s productivity culture rewards speed, output, and performance at the expense of presence, discernment, and humanity. The result is unnecessary suffering: fear-based decisions, fractured communication, and leadership that reacts instead of leads. MORE >

  This session challenges the myth that more pressure produces better results. Participants will explore how chronic urgency narrows thinking, erodes empathy, and fuels chaos in teams and organizations. Through grounded insights and practical tools, leaders learn that reconnecting with purpose and values is a strategic choice—one that restores clarity, strengthens relationships, and enables sustainable, high-impact leadership without burnout.

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  The China Trade War: Trade, Tariffs and Supply Chain Considerations

  Lauren Pittelli, Principal, Baker Logistics Consulting Services Inc.

  Global Supply Chains have always had their intricacies, and with international trade and the global economy in flux it is vital to understand the complexities of trade relations. What's the status of the trade war? Will it end soon - and if not, what should we expect in the future ...and most importantly, what should U.S. companies be doing today to address these uncertainties? MORE >

  If you are currently doing business in China you should not miss this presentation and if you are not currently doing business in China you still should not miss this presentation - because you and your business are likely to be affected by what happens with trade between the U.S. and China.

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  The Carrot and Stick are Obsolete – How to Deploy the Right Employee Incentives in Today’s Business Environment

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

  Are your incentive programs delivering desired results? Incentives work, but you must get them right to positively impact performance and avoid wasting time and money. MORE >

  The traditional approach to improving workplace behavior was often characterized by a “lady-or-the-tiger” experience which ignored that employees are motivated in different ways and underestimated the importance of connecting personal meaning to what they do.

  This VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON presentation will reveal best practices any business can and should do to ensure employee incentive programs are working properly. Attendees will come away with knowledge and tips concerning:
  • Why incentives are a tactic, not the strategy
  • Commitment and support of leaders
  • Choosing right incentive structure
  • Audience selection
  • Goal setting
  • Communicating what, who, how, and why
  • Avoiding element of chance
  • Choosing the right recognition and rewards
  • Keeping it fresh and appealing

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