Free Business Topics in Chicago

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

SORT: MOST RECENT | A - Z

  • 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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  • It’s Not About You… It’s About Bacon! Relationship Marketing in a Social Media World

    Brian Basilico, Author, Speaker, Coach, B2B Interactive Marketing

    If you are looking for a “How-to” social networking presentation, then this is not for you. This is a “Why-to” presentation. If you have been overwhelmed and confused by all the conflicting examples and theories about why social networking works for some and not for others, this presentation will be an eye-opening breath of fresh air. MORE >

    You will learn why relationships, both new and nurtured ones, are golden for you and your business. We will demystify using the internet and social media to successfully market your business. In this ever-changing world of instant gratification and measurable communications, you need to know the tools and methodologies that create real interaction and engagement.

    You will learn some actionable techniques ( Brian likes to call $100 ideas) that are sustainable, repeatable, and profitable for your business. This presentation will help you get noticed, become memorable and top of mind, and grow your brand and business through tested and proven face-to-face and social networking techniques.

    45-60 minutes

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  • How to Focus on the Business of Profits

    John Y. Lafferty, Founder, CFO-Pro

    John will provide information that will help CEOs and entrepreneurs to discover and understand financial issues in their businesses. When leaders gain this knowledge, profits improve and the business has a much longer life.

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  • Insecure, unsafe & slow: 10 ways to improve your WordPress website

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

    There are thousands of plugins and tips out there – many free, but how do you narrow them down? I’ve been designing and developing WordPress sites since 2008, and I also work with corporations, nonprofits and bloggers. No matter how popular they are, I still spend a lot of time fixing hacked sites and maintaining and improving them. I’ll share the same tips I use with them to improve your site. We’ll talk social, security, speed, design and more. You’ll leave with an action plan and stronger understanding of your WordPress site.
    MORE >

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  • Dianne M. Michels, HR Possibility Partner, Author, Rearchitecting Work Speaker, possibilitypartners.org

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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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  • Beyond the Bot: Leveraging AI for Nonprofit Impact

    Cathy Yen, Founder and CEO, The Nonprofit Planner Company

    AI is transforming industries across the globe and nonprofits are no exception. Learn how Cathy and her team integrated AI into a medium-sized nonprofit to build efficiencies while staying mission-focused. We'll cover issues of organizational culture, use cases, data privacy and policies, staff training, and success measurement.

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  • Break Out Session – Cyber Security Protecting your Business

    Christopher Higgins, Cyber Security Analyst, CCS Technology Group

    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. Presentation will be customized to address common threats in a business category or vertical market for example (manufacturing, distribution, finance, medical, etc.) Lets talk about your event and customize it for your event. MORE >

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  • The Culture Shift Starts Within: Tackling the Hidden Barriers to Collaboration

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

    Dr. Shirzad Chamine’s groundbreaking research introduces the concept of “Saboteurs”—internal voices that once helped us navigate real and perceived threats in childhood. While these mental patterns originally served as protection, they often persist into adulthood, operating as unseen forces that shape how we think, feel, and respond. MORE >

    Over time, these Saboteurs become embedded in our neural pathways, creating automatic reactions that can “hijack” our behavior in moments of stress or challenge.

    In this session, your team will learn to recognize and understand these patterns, identify their own Saboteurs, and develop practical strategies to build greater self-awareness. The goal is simple but powerful: to help individuals show up as assets rather than obstacles to their teams and the broader mission.

    By equipping your people with this insight, your organization takes a meaningful step toward becoming more people-centered—grounded in self-awareness, stronger collaboration, and more intentional impact.

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  • Optimize Your Customer Journey! Rebuild Your Marketing & Sales Infrastructure For Revenue

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

    Are sales nonexistent? Marketing not working? Have you evaluated your customer journey through the eyes of your customer? Are you optimized to give the right value at every stage? Are your marketing and selling initiatives aligned with revenue-generating activities? Is your business stuck on awareness mode desperately needing to switch to sales, acquisition, and conversions mode? Let's break down how to stop marketing for fans and start marketing and selling to drive revenue! MORE >

    Takeaways:
    • Learn a 5-point customer journey blueprint that you can modify to fit your current situation.
    • Discover how to expand your marketing and sales tactics and effectiveness using your actual customers as advocates.
    • Debunk myths and old "best practices" many businesses still use that's costing sales and repeatable buyers.

    Best For:
    • New Entrepreneurs & Startups Looking To Improve Marketing & Sales ROI
    • Businesses With Small Or No Marketing Team Or An Army-Of-One Marketing Leader
    • New Marketing & Sales Managers for Small Businesses

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