Free Business Topics in Chicago

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  • Small Business Ownership

    Jennifer Davis, President & Co-Founder, Davisware, Inc.

    Owning your own business can be a challenge. Jennifer, a working mother, shares the fascinating story of her startup with sweat equity and personal growth along the way. Her personal account of what works and what doesn’t, and how to balance it all, is perfect for those in business or with an entrepreneurial spirit. MORE >

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  • Six Sigma and Finance Intersections

    Diane Davidson, Finance Transformation Leader, Clever Fox, LLC

    As a practitioner with a Six Sigma Green Belt, I am seeing demand for Six Sigma principles being used in the Finance industry. Six Sigma is typically viewed as a tool only used for Supply Chain, Logistics or Operations. Finance organizations are using Six Sigma principles such as Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen Events to bring standardization and efficiencies to their business processes. MORE >

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  • Rearchitecting Work: POSSIBILITY PARTNERS UNLEASHING POTENTIAL

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

    A Blueprint for "Unlocking the Power of Human Resources to Unleash the Potential of Human Beings" . . . enabling organizations to set bold goals that can be achieved with more PREDICTABILITY, INNOVATION, and EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT! MORE >

    Learn about the key paradigm shifts that provide the foundation for the changes in conditions, relationships, cultural norms, and leadership approaches that can transform people's relationship to work from a burden to survive to a possibility to thrive . . . while producing results that meet or exceed revenue, profitability, and growth goals of the enterprise.

    You will be introduced to the 10 design principles that support the paradigm shifting changes in assumptions, beliefs, and behavioral practices that enable people to go beyond learning new skills to expanding their adaptability, flexibility, resiliency, and self-directedness in a world that is increasingly more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.

    The 10 design principles include:
    Ch. 1 Alignment between HR and the CEO
    Ch. 2 Unlocking the Power of HR to Unleash the Potential Within Your Workplace
    Ch. 3 The Power of Possibility - "There are no mistakes; only possibilities" Tina Fey
    Ch. 4 Leadership Beliefs and Behaviors that model mutual respect, trust, transparency . . .
    Ch. 5 Inspiring Ownership for Results vs. Holding People Accountable
    Ch. 6 Igniting Results: Expressing Our Value vs. Proving Our Worth
    Ch. 7 Participating, Contributing, Self-Expressing vs. Checking Off Our To Do Lists - "Only do what your heart tells you." Princess Diana
    Ch. 8 Celebrating Diversity as a Competitive Edge!
    Ch. 9 Recruiting: Creating Raving Fans - "Transforming often dreaded interview interrogations into life-affirming conversations.
    Ch. 10 Communications: Creating Psychological Safety so People can Speak Candidly With One Another Regardless of the Hierarchy -
    "Relationships determine the quality of our lives, and conversations determine the quality of our relationships."

    Can be presented virtually via ZOOM.

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  • Preliminary Blocking and Tackling to Start a Debt or Equity Capital Raise

    Barrett Willich, CFO, Bear & Kenmore LLC

    In this presentation, we will do a quick introduction to things to think about and how to start preparing when you are ready to raise debt or equity capital. After this presentation, you will have a better idea of advisors to connect with as well as tasks your internal team can start preparing. We will also walk you through the key milestones of a process. MORE >

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  • Power of Stories for Business

    Valerie Fuson, Author & Certified Speaking Coach, Empowered Speaking

    Whether you are a CEO, entrepreneur, sales professional or business expert, your story is the deciding factor of why people will do business with you. Valerie’s talk shows how to bring your stories to life to attract the ideal client and increase profits.

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  • Own the Interview: Preparation That Reduces Anxiety

    Rosie Zilinskas, Keynote Speaker | Certified High-Performance Coach, No Woman Left Behind

    Interviews do not have to feel overwhelming. This hands-on session gives you a practical system to prepare for any interview and show up feeling calmer, clearer, and more in control. The session also introduces free AI tools like ChatGPT for ongoing interview practice. No tech experience needed. Whether you are changing careers, preparing for a promotion, or navigating an unexpected job search, you will leave with a clear plan and renewed self-assurance. MORE >

    What attendees will walk away with:
    ~ How to build a Story Vault of accomplishments so you have clear, structured examples ready for any question
    ~ Confidence-building opening phrases to start strong and command attention
    ~ Three strategies for responding when you are unsure how to answer a question, so you never freeze or go blank
    ~ How to create a 90-Day Plan that signals readiness and forward thinking to a hiring manager
    ~ A simple pre-interview routine to manage nerves and stay grounded on interview day
    ~ Access to a custom AI interview practice coach for continued preparation after the session

    Ideal for:
    ~ Job seekers at any career stage
    ~ Career changers and professionals reentering the workforce
    ~ Mid-career professionals preparing for internal interviews or promotions
    ~ Anyone who feels anxious or underprepared walking into interviews
    ~ Libraries, workforce development programs, community organizations, and corporate learning events

    Presented by Rosie Zilinskas, a Certified High Performance Coach and former Executive Vice President who has sat on both sides of the interview table during 30+ years of corporate leadership at AIG Private Client Group.

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  • Optimizing Your Job Search with AI

    Rosie Zilinskas, Keynote Speaker | Certified High-Performance Coach, No Woman Left Behind

    AI can speed up your job search when you know how to use it strategically. This session goes beyond the resume and covers how to use free AI tools across every stage of the job search process, from applications to networking to interview preparation. You will learn prompts that save time while keeping your unique voice, and how to build a system that creates momentum without burning you out. MORE >

    What attendees will walk away with:
    ~ How to strengthen a LinkedIn profile, headline, and job descriptions with AI-generated improvements
    ~ How to write authentic outreach and networking messages that start real conversations
    ~ How to use AI to research companies, identify roles, and explore new career paths
    ~ How to build a Story Vault of accomplishments using the Problem-Action-Solution format
    ~ A simple weekly checklist and workflow to stay consistent and organized throughout the search
    ~ Ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts for every step

    Ideal for:
    ~ Active job seekers who want to work smarter, not harder
    ~ Professionals navigating a career transition or unexpected layoff
    ~ Anyone overwhelmed by the volume and complexity of a modern job search
    ~ People curious about AI who want a practical, hands-on introduction
    ~ Libraries, workforce development programs, community organizations, and professional associations

    Presented by Rosie Zilinskas, a Certified High Performance Coach, keynote speaker, and former Executive Vice President with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience.

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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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  • Off High Alert: Practical Nervous System Tools for High-Pressure Work Environments

    Ron Martin, Principal, Founder, Executive Coach, Ocean Park Strategic Advisors

    Many capable, high-performing professionals experience stress in their body even when things are going well at work.

    - A tight chest before meetings.
    - A jolt when emails come in.
    - A constant background sense of being “on edge.” MORE >

    This free talk introduces Off High Alert, a practical, body-first approach to understanding and reducing work-related stress that doesn’t rely on mindset shifts, positive thinking, or therapy.

    Participants will learn why the nervous system often stays on high alert in modern work environments and why “just relaxing” rarely works, even for highly competent, prepared professionals.

    This session is especially relevant for people who:

    - Feel physically reactive to emails, meetings, or work interactions before their brain has time to catch up
    - Stay functional and productive while feeling tense or exhausted underneath
    - Don’t want therapy, oversharing, or long emotional processing
    - Want practical tools that can be used during the workday, discreetly and effectively

    During this talk, attendees will:

    - Understand how and why stress shows up physically at work
    - Learn simple, in-the-moment nervous system regulation tools
    - Reframe stress responses without self-blame or pathologizing
    - Leave with a clear, repeatable way to help their body stand down in high-pressure situations

    This is a grounded, practical, work-safe talk designed to meet professionals where they are, without asking them to lower their standards, change who they are, or step away from their careers.

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  • Non-Profit Business Strategies

    Lea Ann Skogsberg, Founder, Dollars and Sense

    With 30 years experience, Lea Ann offers customized talks on using social media, blogging, endowment, creating access for middle income donors, fundraising, new business models, grantwriting and trends across sectors.

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