Free Speakers Chicago is a pro bono speakers bureau. Every presentation on this page is free to book, with no fees, no honorarium and no mileage. Browse the topics below and request a guest speaker for your next meeting, workshop or community event.
According to the Social Security Administration: 94% of the Baby-boomers are not prepared for retirement. The sad reality is that retirement is a financial position not an age. Far too many people think of retirement in terms of time however; that is only half of the equation. Retirement is time+money and so many people miss the second part “money”. There
Personal Branding is identifying your assets, characteristics, strengths, and skills as an individual. Understanding Personal Branding will provide advantages in your participant’s personal and professional lives. Branding is a mix of how you present yourself and how others see you. It is important to be aware of how you are viewed. During this lively and enlightening personal branding discussion, participants
Old ways don't open new doors. We hear two things consistently these days: everybody sells or everybody is in sales. Nobody wants be sold. The question we ask ourselves is how do these two things coexist? The traditional way of selling leaves your prospects wanting something different and you, wanting more prospects! In The Games Buyers & Prospects Play session,
If you are looking to dramatically increase your sales, make more money with less effort, and build a sales system that produces predictable results, then this presentation is for you! In this presentation, Master Certified Business Coach Tom Kelly covers the 5 shifts that you need to make in how you approach your business so that you can attract what
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. A small investment of time and resources on
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
If you're nearing retirement or already retired you need to understand how taxes (including the new 2018 changes) impact your retirement income, as it may be possible for you to pay less in taxes on your hard-earned dollars. Since each person's tax situation is unique, and the tax rules can change year to year, it can be challenging to get
Right-wing populism is rising in many western nations, but here in the US it is beginning to actually threaten our democracy. This presentation points out why this is happening uniquely here in the US: Because the country is becoming a true multi-racial democracy, a transformation that no other country is undergoing. And the US constitution actually empowers the minority that
The way you tell the story of your business or organization is all that matters to your customer. Today, customers want to be more engaged with the companies in which they do business and organizations' they support. The story is the reason they buy or donate. It is what they will share with friends and family when asked about where
*COVID-19 Update* I have conducted several online webinars and Zoom-based conferences for small groups and would be happy to do so for your organization as well. Most people know that they should have a will, but why? When should you have your first will drafted? What is the difference between a will and a trust? How do I make sure
A culture by chance is the welcome mat which invites variation into a business, hurting performance and results. On the other hand, a culture guided by choice helps prevent variation that hurt results. Get insights on how to make sure your organization’s culture enhances your value proposition and the customer experience instead of eroding them. Including a close look at
Are you or someone you know ready to begin receiving Social Security? If you are going to collect Social Security benefits in the next 10 years you should attend this educational session. In this session, you will learn: • When to take benefits - sooner or later? • Working while getting benefits • Taxation and Social Security • Spousal Benefits
The democratic party has seen a rise in candidates who declare themselves to be "democratic socialists". What does that label reallty mean? And what can we expect from those candidates? This presentation explains what labels such as "democratic socialist" and "social democracy" really mean, why these candidates are rising withing the democratic party, and what their rise means for the
If you thought the student loan bubble was only a Millennial problem, think again! The trillion dollar student loan bubble is bursting. This eye-opening program details the depth of this country’s student loan crisis, how it is spreading beyond the millennial generation, and why it is becoming your problem as well.
Having the technical skills and knowledge to successfully execute your job duties is only one part of being the best you can be in the workplace. In addition to these “hard” skills, we also need “soft” skills. Soft skills are those skills which allow us to effectively work with others. No matter what your position, organization, or industry, you work
Business owners, retail or service-based, all say the exact same thing. ‘We need more customers so we can earn more money.’ It’s tough out there for business owners in 2021. Jean Kuhn “has the backs” of business owners and delivers the hard facts, the truth and some laughs, on what it takes to become the leader in their industry and
Research consistently shows that the way we present ourselves influences confidence, credibility, hiring decisions, promotions, and earning potential. Drawing from years of experience helping thousands of professionals transform their wardrobes, Certified B Corporation CEO Sarene Alsharif explores the science behind first impressions and explains how intentional style can become a strategic business advantage. Participants leave with practical tools for building
The central proposition is powerful: your current “best self” is not the destination. Human beings can become increasingly conscious of how they are creating themselves, interrupt mistaken beliefs and automatic patterns, and deliberately move toward greater authenticity, fulfillment, relationship, and contribution. That is deeply grounded in Transformed! and the six-phase transformational process, as well as your recurring emphasis on lifelong
Every leader has an impact on those being led. Dr. Van Meter discusses the IMPACT journey every leader takes to lead strongly in the world today. In his laid back midwestern style, Dr. Van Meter will share the stages of the that journey and what challenges have to be overcome to reach the next level.
Are you a small business owner or professional that struggles with networking? Are you tired of attending networking events, and walking away empty handed? Are you starting to think that networking events are a complete waste of your time? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this presentation is for you! In this presentation, Master Certified Coach
Have you ever had a great business idea or an opportunity to grow, but lacked the money to make it happen? In this engaging, real-world presentation, real estate entrepreneur Daniel Baltazar shares how he went from earning less than $35,000 a year to building a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio using creative financing and private capital. Through his four-step BOSS Framework,
Breaking the stigma surrounding men and their emotional well-being, Jason encourages open conversations about men’s mental health and self-worth. Society often teaches men to suppress their emotions, leading to silent struggles with mental health issues. In this extremely vulnerable keynote, Jason discusses how childhood trauma and an absent father led to years of internal struggles with masculinity, anger issues and
You don't have the team you thought you did? Neither did I for many years until I finally discovered the secret to forming the team I always dreamed of. I'll tell you what you need to do for you to get your dream team too.
Most of us have an old story running quietly underneath our lives: I'm not enough. I'm too much. I don't matter. I'm not lovable. I have to do everything myself. We didn't consciously choose these beliefs; many were formed through early experiences and then reinforced until they began to feel like truth. This talk reveals the extraordinary possibility that our
Black|Line's "Digital Disaster" presentation explains how many businesses are failing to create and maintain some of their most valuable assets, their digital ones. Mr. Jankovsky explores what "Digital Assets" are, why they are important to a business/organization and how to avoid becoming a "Digital Disaster". The presentation can be made to fit a 30-60 minute format and can be tailored
It seems that lately, our inner resources are being taxed to our limits and it feels like relief is a long way away. In just a few minutes Dr. Sassetti will teach you simple, efficient stress reduction techniques. These techniques can be implemented immediately, practiced with minimal effort and give you much needed respite from the extraordinary stressors we are
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.
In this powerful keynote, Jason explores the reality of mental illness including, anxiety, depression and suicide while offering practical strategies for managing mental health. Deeply personal, honest and insightful, Jason shares his story of overcoming years of childhood trauma that led to decades of struggles with depression, anxiety and eventually teetering on the edge of suicide. Equal parts personal and
What if the greatest danger isn't failing at the life you want—but becoming successful at a life you never truly wanted? This talk begins at the end: imagining ourselves looking backward and asking what we regret not saying, risking, loving, becoming, or pursuing. From there, we explore the hidden bargain so many of us make—trading authenticity for approval, possibility for
Every plant wants lower turnover and higher engagement, but most overlook the one thing that drives both: leadership consistency. When expectations change from manager to manager, employees feel unstable — and instability sends people looking for the exit. This talk dives into how leaders shape culture through everyday behaviors. John shares practical, real‑world examples of how aligned leadership creates trust,
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