Free Business Topics in Chicago

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  • Enriching Your Nonprofit Through Planned Giving

    Robert J. Varak, Law Offices of Robert J. Varak

    Learn how to establish a system whereby your organization can systematically improve its funding via the estate plans of potential donors. Most nonprofits receive periodic and inconsistent donations via this revenue stream, but I will explain how to utilize planned giving programs to improve fundraising across the board, not only via bequests. MORE >

    A small investment of time and resources on behalf of your nonprofit can result in a significant return, as well as improved branding and standing in your field. It's an overlooked aspect of development, and my presentation will draw on my experience advising nonprofits to give you all the tools necessary to leverage this opportunity to the fullest.
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  • Business Improvement Einstein’s Way – How Einstein’s Three Rules of Work Can Help a Business Succeed

    Mark James, Founder & President, Performance Advisors Group, Inc.

    Albert Einstein once said, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Einstein believed you have to think about things differently and three rules, inspired by his work, provide us with the means do so. No one knows what will happen in the future. But, following these rules can get your business ready for whatever does. Attendees will come away with practical ways to use Einstein’s three rules of work to: MORE >

    - Fix performance barriers
    - Discover opportunities amidst difficulty
    - Make two truths of human behavior your ally
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  • The Carrot and Stick are Obsolete – How to Deploy the Right Employee Incentives in Today’s Business Environment

    Mark James, Founder & President, Performance Advisors Group, Inc.

    Are your incentive programs delivering desired results? Incentives work, but you must get them right to positively impact performance and avoid wasting time and money. MORE >

    The traditional approach to improving workplace behavior was often characterized by a “lady-or-the-tiger” experience which ignored that employees are motivated in different ways and underestimated the importance of connecting personal meaning to what they do.

    This VIRTUAL OR IN PERSON presentation will reveal best practices any business can and should do to ensure employee incentive programs are working properly. Attendees will come away with knowledge and tips concerning:
    • Why incentives are a tactic, not the strategy
    • Commitment and support of leaders
    • Choosing right incentive structure
    • Audience selection
    • Goal setting
    • Communicating what, who, how, and why
    • Avoiding element of chance
    • Choosing the right recognition and rewards
    • Keeping it fresh and appealing

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  • LinkedIn For Business

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

    Brian Basilico was one of the first 1000 people on LinkedIn back in 2004. He specializes in teaching entrepreneurs and corporate sales teams how to navigate and optimize LinkedIn for their business. MORE >

    In this presentation... You will learn some of the basics of using LinkedIn to promote and grow your business. More importantly, you will learn some “Whyʼs” and “How Toʼs” that will help you better understand the biz behind the buzz!

    Sometimes itʼs easier to know what questions to ask, than to try to find answers to questions you donʼt have... but at least you will know what questions to ask?

    'Who is on LinkedIn and how can I capitalize on it?ʼ
    ʻAre people really making money?ʼ
    ʻNone of my customers are using this! Are you sure who is and who is not?ʼ
    ʻI canʼt afford to spend more time or money on marketing?'

    In this fast-moving digital economy - now is the time to market harder and smarter than your competition.

    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.

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  • The Art of Impactful Leadership – 3 Secret Principles to Elite Performance

    Dennis Mellen, Owner, Full Throttle Leadership

    Be the visionary servant leader and inspire innovation and elite performance. Get your team feeling they "get to go to work" instead of "have to go to work"

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  • “Establishing Your Professional Persona: 5 Steps to Crafting a Compelling Brand Identity”

    Tammy Cook, Productivity Coach, Tammy Cook Coaching

    Are you a small business owner trying to build your following and your list?
    Are you ready to create a clear, compelling voice for your business, that magnetically draws ideal prospects to you? MORE >

    If you are struggling to find followers and build your presence, no matter the amount of marketing and outreach you do, it could simply be because this key foundational piece is missing.

    This foundational piece is most often skipped over when beginning a business - crafting a compelling brand identity that connects with your target audience. Once you get this step right, you will be positioned as the go-to expert in your niche, and you will attract ideal clients with much less effort.

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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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  • Experiential Marketing

    Edwin Goitia, Founder and Visionary, I Am A Brand

    What do you do when your marketing tactics are not getting straight to the consumer? Edwin tells how you can bring your ideas, services or business straight to consumers and create something unforgettable. He’ll also discuss how experiential marketing has played a role in today’s economy and how anyone can utilize it today. MORE >

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  • Keep It Simple: IT and Cyber Security Compliance Made Easy

    Christopher Higgins, Cyber Security Analyst, CCS Technology Group

    Tired of feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of IT and cybersecurity compliance? Look no further! In our presentation, "Keep It Simple: IT and Cyber Security Compliance Made Easy," we'll break down the jargon and provide you with practical solutions to simplify the compliance process. MORE >

    Navigating the intricate web of regulations and requirements can be daunting for any business. But fear not - we're here to guide you through the maze. Our seasoned experts will demystify the often-confusing world of compliance, presenting it in a way that even non-technical individuals can understand.

    We'll address common compliance challenges and provide actionable steps to streamline your efforts. From creating robust policies and procedures to implementing effective security controls, we'll cover the essentials to help you achieve and maintain compliance. We'll even share tips and tricks to avoid common pitfalls and optimize your compliance framework.

    At CCS, our extensive experience in the industry since 1974 sets us apart as trusted advisors. We know what works and what doesn't, and we're committed to making compliance approachable and manageable for you. Our friendly and engaging approach will ensure you leave the presentation feeling empowered and ready to tackle your compliance obligations.

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  • How to Turn Social Media into Face to Face Meetings

    Franklin D. Rivera II, Founder/CEO, The V2M2 Group, Inc.

    Franklin Rivera built his entire business off of Twitter. In 2011 no one online knew who he was. In 2015 he was ranked in the top 10% of Twitter accounts worldwide for most senior level management connections and followed by most of the Forbes top 10 digital marketers worldwide. Today his connections on social media number over 10,000 quality followers! MORE >

    His company, V2M2, has consistently utilized social media for lead generation for both V2M2 and its clients with great success. Franklin will help you understand how to make the right social connections and get the face to face meeting.
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