Free Business Topics in Chicago

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SORT: MOST RECENT | A - Z

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Staying in Your Own Lane Doesn’t Work in Business: Bridging Communication Gaps across Generations & Personalities

    Gabby Rosely, Consultant, Gabby Rosely LLC

    The US workforce is the most age-diverse it's ever been, with Gen Z now outnumbering Boomers for the first time. Yet most teams are still struggling with the same old generational friction.
    I'm gonna be real with you: generational cohorts are just the starting point. MORE >

    You're not actually going to walk around asking coworkers their age so you can put them in a box. That would be weird. If you know someone’s age but still make assumptions about them, the point is totally missed.

    The POINT is: learning about how worldviews & values are shaped, how to ask the right questions, read the room, and connect with people who think completely differently than you do. This keynote / workshop gives you the tools to do that - with your team, with strangers, with prospective clients - so you stop second-guessing yourself and start building actual trust.

    “Staying in Your Own Lane DOESN’T work in Business” moves beyond tired stereotypes to unlock what actually motivates Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.

    What You'll Experience:
    - Understand the real values and communication preferences driving each generation
    - Interactive exercises that build empathy and reveal hidden strengths
    - Practice the conversations you've been avoiding, like, giving feedback, addressing conflict, motivating people who seem checked out
    - Leave with a personalized strategy to connect authentically with every team member

    The real result? You stop tiptoeing. Your team stops living on islands. You build the kind of trust that makes people actually want to work together. Generational differences become your greatest advantage.

    Why me? I'm a Gen Z leader who managed teams across all four major generations at age 21. I also totally face-planted at first, thinking I could "stay in my lane," do things my way, and it'd all work out. Spoiler: it didn't. I had to learn this stuff the hard way, in the face of everyone doubting me because of my age. (Trained by Gallup-certified Strength Advisors & MetaPerformance Institute, but honestly, the real credential is that I've lived both sides.).

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  • Data Analytics for Financial Crime Prevention

    Jiaqi Chen, Business Intelligence Analyst

    In this comprehensive session, discover how cutting-edge data analytics transforms financial crime prevention in today's digital landscape. Jiaqi Chen demonstrates how organizations can leverage advanced analytics to detect, prevent, and respond to sophisticated financial crimes.

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  • Navigating Disruptive Change: Communicating you Care in the Moments that Matter

    Linda Carlisle, Founder, Fractional Comms & Culture Advisor, COMM-ext, LLC

    Navigating change is a high risk in the best of times. In a world where 2/3 of the American Workforce is Disengaged, disruptive organizational change can be catastrophic. But what if there were a way to navigate change while simultaneously re-engaging and re-energizing your people and building a high-performing culture? The secret to navigating disruptive change while building the high-performance culture of tomorrow is effectively communicating that you care in the moments that matter. MORE >

    In this talk, we will explore the many people-related risks that organizations face when navigating the inevitable change they will face in today's fast-paced business environment and a handful of earnest, high-integrity communication techniques that will help your people navigate change while maintaining high psychological safety and rebuilding their engagement, alignment, and excitement about your company and their work.
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  • Keys to High Performing Finance Teams

    Diane Davidson, Finance Transformation Leader, Clever Fox, LLC

    If I asked what your finance department does for your business, most would say: Taxes, Pay Bills, and Reports. These answers are all accurate, but this is only one aspect of a high-performing finance team. High-performing finance teams guide businesses in their decision-making. MORE >

    High-performing finance teams are viewed as thought leaders and analyze deal/strategies to make sure the company achieves their goals. In my 12 years of consulting, I have worked on transforming finance departments that are underperforming to high-performing teams that help jump start the company. I want to share how to identify underperformance and the path to a cohesive, high-performing team.
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  • Transportation

    Andre Erving, Author, Educator, Life Coach, Speaker, Business Consultant, Andre Erving Global, LLC

    Andre is a distinguished speaker, author, educator, and business consultant with an extensive professional background spanning over 20 years in the transportation industry. Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Erving has honed his expertise, demonstrating a profound understanding of the intricacies of the industry. MORE >

    His insightful lectures, thought-provoking books, and comprehensive consulting services have garnered acclaim from audiences worldwide. With a sharp analytical mind and a passion for continuous learning, Andre sets himself apart as a leading authority in the field, providing invaluable guidance to individuals and organizations seeking to navigate the complex landscape of the transportation sector.

    His innovative approach, coupled with a wealth of experience, distinguishes him as an invaluable asset to the industry, inspiring others to reach new heights of success.

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  • “Reduce Stress in your Workforce: Unleashing the Power of Child Care Benefits for Enhanced Productivity and Engagement”

    Diane Moca, Child Care Benefits Expert / Working Mother / Television Personality, MomSub

    Do you have employees who arrive late, leave early, feel distracted, miss work, or even leave their position entirely because they struggle to find child care that fits their working life? Your organization can explore the burgeoning trend of child care benefits in the workplace and the transformative impact they wield on both employers and employees from increased retention and recruitment to improved job satisfaction and work-life balance. Discover how companies embracing this trend are not only fostering a more supportive work environment but also reaping significant rewards in terms of employee productivity and mental well-being. MORE >

    With more employers than ever prioritizing benefits that help employees struggling in and outside of work, it's time for your organization to learn the secrets to unlocking the full potential of your workforce through innovative child care benefits.

    Speaker Diane Moca understands the problem as a working mother who faced the common struggle of navigating the maze of child care options, only to spend her first four years of motherhood trying 12 different alternatives from daycare to neighborhood babysitters to agency placements before landing on the right care provider for her career and life.

    In this enlightening session, Diane details the myriad benefits that arise when employers provide resources to assist their workforce in finding, arranging, managing, and financing child care solutions. From full-day care or before- and after-school options to summer-only arrangements or evening and weekend care, this presentation explores how catering to diverse needs yields tangible advantages.

    Learn how such initiatives lead to reduced absenteeism for employees who have access to backup options when their regular provider is unavailable. Discover how employees experience greater peace of mind knowing their children are well-cared for and how their enhanced work-life balance translates into heightened job satisfaction and productivity, driving overall organizational success.

    Moreover, Diane delves into how companies offering comprehensive child care benefits enjoy increased retention rates and become magnets for top talent during recruitment. By prioritizing the well-being of employees' families, these organizations create a culture of loyalty and commitment that reverberates throughout the entire workforce.

    Finally, Diane explains the different programs available for employers, from subscriptions for child care referral platforms to contributions to offset the cost of care. You will learn how to revolutionize your workplace and propel your company toward a brighter, more prosperous future.

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