Free Business Topics in Chicago

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  • Transitioning from Full-Time Employment to Entrepreneurship: Making the Leap with Confidence

    Kyle Bennett, Financial Coach, Prosperity Launch, LLC

    Are you ready to embark on the exciting journey from full-time employment to entrepreneurship, but seeking guidance and confidence in taking the leap? In this comprehensive presentation, we'll begin with Kyle's personal insights into supporting professionals like you on their entrepreneurship journey. We'll delve into assessing your readiness for entrepreneurship, providing practical self-reflection exercises and addressing common fears associated with this significant change. MORE >

    Discover the importance of developing a transition plan, setting clear goals, and securing your financial foundation with expert advice on budgeting, savings, and funding options. We'll also explore the emotional side of career change, offering coping strategies and support systems to help you thrive.

    Throughout the presentation, Kyle will mirror his professional yet friendly communication style, providing clear insights and actionable steps. By the end, you'll be equipped with the tools, resources, and confidence to make a successful transition into entrepreneurship. Don't miss this opportunity to embrace change with confidence and clarity. Join us and take that leap towards a prosperous entrepreneurial future.

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  • Where Did That Car Come From? | How to Build a Brand

    Mike Opyd, President, RE/MAX NEXT

    Whether you are a major corporation, a small company, or working a side hustle branding is everything. Branding is what attracts (or doesn't) customers and clients. If your branding is not on point or the right message is not being delivered you are missing out on an opportunity at every turn. MORE >

    Here's the thing. Most people do not fully understand what exactly branding is outside of a logo. But, branding is so much more than some symbol. There are many different layers to understanding branding and how to use it effectively and it all starts with the psychology of it.

    I have spent countless hours understanding branding, have helped many people build personal brands, and have built numerous brands of my own. My knowledge and experience can help anyone build a brand from scratch!

    I'd love an opportunity to come and speak to any audience big or small. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out! I look forward to the opportunity to help!

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  • Computer Security Essentials

    Jody Jankovsky, Founder and Managing Member, Black|Line Consulting

    Black|Line's Security Essentials presentation focuses on the most common computer security issues facing people and businesses today. The talk describes the 4 primary threat categories and a series of technologies and best practices to protect yourself. The presentation can be made to fit a 30-60 minute format.

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  • The Alchemy of Motivation: Elevating Workplace Performance

    Marie Genevieve Pawlak, CEO, Prime Alchemy a division of Planning101 Group

    Are you ready to transform your workplace and inspire your team to achieve peak performance? Join us for a fun and enlightening session on "The Alchemy of Motivation," where we'll dive deep into the science of what truly drives us to do our best work. Discover the secrets behind creating a motivating culture, practical strategies for leaders, and how to foster a sense of purpose and autonomy in your team. MORE >

    In this engaging and interactive talk, you'll learn:

    The latest research on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and why it matters.
    How to build a workplace culture that motivates and inspires.
    Real-world examples of successful motivation strategies from top companies.
    Techniques to sustain long-term motivation and track engagement.

    Through storytelling and hands-on exercises, you'll leave with actionable insights and tools to elevate your team's performance and create a fulfilling work environment. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to turn motivation into your team's superpower!

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  • 21st Century Leadership

    Scott Hansen, CEO, Scott Hansen Consulting

    In this high energy presentation, High Performance Coach, Scott Hansen, shares the importance of "21st Century Leadership Rules" that you must know. If you don't adapt these, your business might get left behind

    In 21st Century Leadership, you and your organization will walk away with the following: MORE >

    - Learn the importance of becoming a better leader
    - The (3) Income Producing Activities all business owners need to know
    - How to be more efficient and productive in your day
    - The importance of saying "NO" in your business
    - The One productivity strategy that Warren Buffet uses

     

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  • Millenial Onboarding

    Bette Lawrence-Water, Founder and Principal Consultant, Spectrum Strategic Solutions

    Onboarding new employees is a secure investment that will assist newly hired employees in developing their skills, knowledge, and value within the company. It will help match the technically skilled Millennial workforce with new and emerging needs of your company, which gives your company an advantage within the market. MORE >

    Millennial Onboarding is a specialized type of employee onboarding. With Millennials we are seeing a need to tweak the onboarding process to better suit the needs of the company and new hires. It will increase productivity and produce a happier and more skilled workforce. The new hire phase is a critical time for the employee and company and having a structured set of procedures will make this time run smoother and produce a greater chance of success.

    Presentation Objectives:
    • Define onboarding
    • Discuss the characteristics of Millennials
    • Create an onboarding process for Millennials
    • Start action plans for working with Millennials
    • Learn from introspection

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  • Connecting People and Purpose: Rethinking Employee Engagement in Mission-Driven Organizations

    Anthony Bolden and Charles Cammack, Co-founders, BridgeWork LLC

    In this interactive talk, we’ll explore the often-overlooked aspect of nonprofit leadership: the importance of putting people first to achieve mission success. You’ll learn why aligning organizational goals with the personal and professional growth of your employees is not only beneficial but essential for long-term sustainability. We’ll challenge the traditional narrative that places the burden of engagement solely on employees, shifting the focus to leadership's role in fostering a culture where both the organization and its people can thrive. MORE >

    Key Takeaways:
    - Understanding "Developmental Reciprocity": Discover how investing in your people creates a legacy of growth that extends beyond your organization.
    - Illustrating the BridgeWork Framework: Explore a proven approach to optimizing employee experience and driving organizational success through the phases of joining, learning, growing, and leaving.
    - Practical Insights: Engage with seven critical questions designed to help you evaluate and enhance your current workforce development strategies.
    - Actionable Steps: Learn how to balance your mission-driven goals with the needs of your employees, creating a more engaged, productive, and loyal workforce.

    Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, HR professional, or team manager, this talk will provide you with the tools and insights needed to build a thriving, purpose-driven workplace. Join us to rethink how we can better connect people and purpose in the nonprofit sector.

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  • Women in Leadership

    Bette Lawrence-Water, Founder and Principal Consultant, Spectrum Strategic Solutions

    In the United States today, women make up half of the workforce. Unfortunately for women, their male colleagues are promoted at a much higher rate. Women offer great work ethnics, and bring something different from men to the workforce, but many times it goes unnoticed. In this workshop, you will learn about how organizations can develop women leaders, about the benefits of women in organizations, as well as advancements for the future of women. You will learn how women in the workplace cannot only benefit the women themselves, but also the organization. MORE >

    Through this engaging, enlightening, and empowering discussion of Women in Leadership, the audience will learn how women are changing the workforce. The discussion helps participants gain a new perspective on the workforce, and uncover the benefits that come from hiring and promoting women to higher positions.

    Presentation Objectives:
    • Discuss the leadership gap between men and women
    • Learn about women in various powerful positions
    • Discuss different traits associated with women in management
    • Understand the different barriers facing women in leadership positions
    • Learn about the benefits of having women in the workforce

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  • From zero to launch: A walk-through of the website process

    Lisa Ghisolf, President & Founder, Gizmo Creative Factory, Inc.

    I’ll share my step-by-step process (honed since the days of just HTML) for WordPress website creation or redesign. We’ll touch on content audits, theme selection (or should you go custom?), launch checklists, and post-launch care. Also freelancer or client management. MORE >

    Great for those who want to launch or relaunch their sites and those who work with clients.
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  • How to Live and Earn Well with a Business You Love

    Tikoshia Davis, CEO and Founder, Business Made Simple Coaching & Consulting

    Self-care is a right, not a privilege. This means that you can have a business you love, without sacrificing your well being in the process. Yes, really. MORE >

    My name is Tikoshia and I am a holistic business coach that specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to build sustainable and profitable businesses that complement their quality of life — not consume it.

    Running your own business is hard! There’s a never-ending to-do list, long nights, and bouts of fear that can plague you on a daily basis. But, you know what? While all of that can be true, it doesn’t have to overtake you.

    Once upon a time I've tried doing things the imbalanced way. And, right when my coaching practice was starting to take off, I received the most devastating news of my life: I had breast cancer. I knew that if I had made it to the other side of that fight, I would do even more to make my dreams and the dreams of my clients, a reality, but not at the expense of my health. And that’s exactly what I did.

    You can run your business and still enjoy a happy, healthy quality of life. I’m here to show you how.

    In this talk, I will offer support with the following challenges:

    *Need clarity in how to align your business with your spirituality
    *Lack of systems in your business to promote growth
    *Recovering perfectionist, high achiever and/or professional that wants success in your own terms without the guilt of not doing “enough”
    *Want to find the confidence and the faith in yourself to go after their dreams

    THIS TALK BEST SERVES:

    *Professional women (leaders and administrators in higher education)
    *New entrepreneurs (2-3 years’ experience)
    *Aspiring entrepreneurs
    *Conferences and events that are about women in business/entrepreneurship, self-care, wellness, faith based groups

    PRESENTATION FORMAT TYPES:

    *Keynote address
    *Trainings and Workshops
    *Conference Breakout Sessions and Panels
    *Webinars

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