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.
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
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
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
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.
*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
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
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
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.
While the media world continues to shift and change, companies of all sizes are still hungry for the valuable earned media mentions and features that bring an unparalleled credibility. So, what are they to do? Jennifer shares that today, PR is much more than just earned media. It's more than the newspaper story on a plaque on the wall. It's
Synopsis: 65% of businesses fail because of three things - complexity, confusion, and chaos. To avoid failure, modern day success requires businesses to relinquish expired “best practices” and embrace modern marketing and sales frameworks while leveraging fundamentals to succeed. Breakdown: • The 3 Cs Causing Marketing Strategies to Fail & How to Avoid Them • Improve MarketingOps Using the D.A.R.T.
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
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
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
The program will highlight the three key areas of opportunity to reduce the overall cost of a college education. The presentation will focus on strategies to maximize need-based financial aid eligibility, target the right colleges for merit-based financial aid, and exploit tax-saving opportunities.
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
Life is difficult. Our lives are constantly "under construction" and so are our goals and dreams both personally and professionally. What happens when life throws you a curveball you didn't expect? What do you do when it feels like all is lost and you want to give up? This session tackles the reality and fear of defeat. Focuses: • How
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.
The fashion industry is one of the world's largest polluters—but the solution may already be hanging in your closet. In this engaging TEDx-inspired presentation, Certified B Corporation CEO Sarene Alsharif reveals how repairing, tailoring, and rethinking the clothes we already own can reduce waste, save money, support local jobs, and create a more sustainable future. Audiences leave with practical actions
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
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
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
“Technical skills get you in the room. Emotional intelligence determines what happens once you're there.” Most leadership talks tell executives to manage emotion. Yours can make a much more provocative argument: Emotion isn't interference with leadership. Emotion is information—and energy. The question is whether you suppress it, get run by it, or learn to use it. Your Emotional Leadership framework
Dr, Sassetti has created a curriculum of how to be at your best to do your best. By creating a healthy body along with a focused and resilient mind, anyone can position him/herself to perform at optimal levels, no matter what the endeavor. Any audience will learn the importance of the relationship between the body and mind and how a
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
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
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,
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,
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
Manufacturing leaders know the feeling: fix one problem and two more pop up. It’s exhausting, expensive, and strangely familiar. This talk explores why so many plants fall into “Whack a Mole Leadership,” where quick fixes replace real solutions and teams spend more time reacting than improving. Through relatable stories from the plant floor, John shows how small leadership habits can
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
Showing 30 of 253 free topics
