Free Business Topics in Chicago

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SORT: MOST RECENT | A - Z

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • “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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  • It’s All About You. Or Is It? Leadership for Diverse Times

    Cathy Yen, Founder and CEO, The Nonprofit Planner Company

    Identifying your leadership style is fun - but what does that mean for the people you lead? And what about their styles? In this engaging, interactive presentation, Cathy walks you through the pro’s and con’s of viewing leadership as an individual profile versus a holistic team assessment. A timely conversation for organizations confronting the challenges of managing teams comprising different generations, work configurations, viewpoints and goals. MORE >

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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Build It Like a Brand, Not a Hobby

    Valeria Gershanova, Music Label Manager, MEGAO Inc.

    Too many talented people treat their passion like a side project — and then wonder why it doesn’t grow. In this powerful session, I challenge creatives and entrepreneurs to shift from hobby thinking to brand-building strategy. This talk focuses on positioning, clarity, consistency, and monetization. I break down what separates amateurs from professionals — and why branding, messaging, audience trust, and execution matter more than raw talent. Attendees will learn how to define their value, create a clear identity, structure their offers, and build something scalable instead of temporary. MORE >

    Whether you’re an artist, content creator, entrepreneur, or founder, this presentation will help you think bigger, operate smarter, and build with intention.

    Participants will leave with:
    • A clear understanding of what makes a real brand
    • A framework for positioning themselves professionally
    • Strategies to create income instead of just attention
    • The mindset shift required for long-term success

    Because if you want people to take you seriously — you have to build it seriously.

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