Free Business Topics in Chicago

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SORT: MOST RECENT | A - Z
  • 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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  • Culture Is First an Execution System, then Values Statement

    Jon Schickedanz, Managing Partner, The Alliance Strategic Group

    Most leadership teams treat culture as something to articulate rather than something to build. This session breaks down why that distinction matters and what changes when an organization starts treating culture as infrastructure for decision-making instead of a poster on the wall. Attendees leave with a practical framework for locating where their teams actually stall, whether that is unclear priorities, misaligned incentives, or decisions that get made twice because the first one never stuck. The focus is operational, not aspirational: specific, testable changes leaders can make to how their teams decide and act. MORE >

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  • Stop Chasing Talent Away -The Ultimate K.P.I. to Be a Talent Magnet

    Dennis Mellen, Owner, Full Throttle Leadership

    Break free of the old leadership model and become a visionary servant leader. Inspire your team to perform at a level they never dreamed possible with the ultimate KPI (key performance indicator).

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  • Success Blueprint: Strategies to Increase Sales, Be More Productive, Dominate Your Industry

    Scott Hansen, CEO, Scott Hansen Consulting

    Entrepreneurs and business owners who are looking to GET THE EDGE in their business. You will walk away looking at yourself and business in an entirely new light. High Performance Coach, Scott Hansen, shares key strategies to help any business owner get to the next level in their business. MORE >

    In this riveting 60 minute presentation, Scott will leave you with key strategies on how to Increase Sales, Become More Productive, and Dominate Your Industry and Stand Out from the Competition.
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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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  • 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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  • AI for Business Leaders: What Executives Need to Know Now

    Jennifer Witter, Founder and CEO, Witter Enterprise Solutions, LLC

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, make decisions, and compete. This presentation provides business leaders and executives with a practical understanding of AI. What it is, how it works, and where it is already creating value in business functions such as finance, operations, marketing, and strategy. Participants will learn how AI can enhance data analysis, improve forecasting, increase operational efficiency, and support better decision-making. MORE >

    The session also addresses common misconceptions, risks, and ethical considerations, helping leaders understand how to responsibly adopt AI tools while maintaining human judgment and strategic oversight. This talk is designed for leaders who want a clear, practical perspective on how AI is shaping the future of business.
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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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  • 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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