All Topics in Chicago
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3: Browse for a topic, Click the orange request button, Fill out the contact form.Now the speaker will contact you in the next few days to coordinate details.
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Raising Innovative Children
Stephen A. Di Biase, Ph.D., President, Premier Insights, LLC.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Educational
"10 Secrets for Raising Innovative Children" describes what parents can do to help their children build upon their natural tendencies to be innovative while offering a buffer to the potential damage they'll experience when they begin their formal education at age 5. There is significant evidence that from age 5 to age 20 the typical person experiencing the traditional US educational system will lose almost all of their capabilities for being innovative. MORE >
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Becoming An Innovator
Stephen A. Di Biase, Ph.D., President, Premier Insights, LLC.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Self-Improvement
"10 Keys To Unlock Your Innovative Self" offers the reader a short, simple, easy and fun treatment teaching anyone how to use the basics of innovative behaviors for becoming a more effective problem solver leading to a higher quality of life. Specifically, this treatise touches on why every human being is an innovator at birth, how we can maximizes, this natural trait, the importance of curiosity, imagination, inquiry, methods of learning, the importance of play and passion and how to use the scientific method while being careful of formal education. MORE >
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Retirement Plans: What You Know, What You Think You Know and What You Really Don’t Want To Know
Sanford J. Prizant, President, The Prizant Group, Ltd.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial
This is an all-inclusive presentation (Think of those all-inclusive resorts!) that was given to the practice managers at the American Association of Orthopedic Executives in April of 2015. The goal was to reaffirm conventional knowledge, educate on present day plan design and fee disclosure issues, and warn of the terror that an IRS/DOL audit will bring upon your house. This presentation is about one hour and is extremely fast paced, informative, and entertaining. MORE >
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The Last Tax Shelter Standing
Sanford J. Prizant, President, The Prizant Group, Ltd.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial
ERISA qualified retirement plans (i.e. Profit Sharing/401(k)/Cash Balance-Defined Benefit) are really the only "IRS Blessed" tax shelters still available to the common person. The Alternative Minimum Tax has taken away most deductions except for mortgage interest, real estate taxes, and charitable deductions. MORE >
A business owner, law partner, or medical professional can "shelter" an extraordinary amount of taxable income by funding an ERISA approved plan for their business entity. Of course, if one has employees, they must receive a certain level of contribution. Thus, it is always a questions of does the benefit to the owner(s) outweigh the costs to the "rank and file." -
The Fee Evolution
Sanford J. Prizant, President, The Prizant Group, Ltd.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial
Over the past 35 years, the 401(k)/403(b) have replaced the traditional pension plans as the main source of retirement income for the populace. Unfortunately, due to the greed of Wall Street, Insurance Companies, Mutual Fund Purveyors and Investment Advisors; the paycheck by paycheck contributions made by the workers have been "Eaten Up" by excessive fees. MORE >
For example, you have your 401(k) with an insurance company and quietly, every day that vendor is nipping at your account for close to 2.5% annually in fees. Thus, your S&P 500 Index fund returns 4% instead of 6.5% and that goes on year after year. The participant has no clue and the plan sponsor is not paying attention. New ERISA fee disclosure rules enacted in 2012 (408(b)2/404(a)5) were supposed to have solve this problem. Alas, the providers have made sure that figuring out your plan's cost is about as easy as learning a new foreign language (My apologies to Roseatta Stone!).After my presentation, you will know what they are, how they are hidden,and how to remedy the situation.
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Making Retirement Plans Work For You
Sanford J. Prizant, President, The Prizant Group, Ltd.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Financial
In the secretive world of ERISA (Employees Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), the Federal government allows employers to "Massage" profit sharing/401(k) plans to focus the company tax-deductible contributions for the benefit of a few or many. Depending on demographics, available cash flow, and desire to reward certain employees/owners; these Qualified Retirement Plans can be used as a "Tax Shelter" or additional employee benefit. MORE >
The design of the plan is paramount and the vast majority of plan sponsors are "Clueless" in their ability to target certain individuals for different annual company contributions. In this presentation, we talk about how you do it, what it will cost, and how you communicate to your employees. -
Computer Security Essentials
Jody Jankovsky, Founder and Managing Member, Black|Line Consulting
TOPIC CATEGORY: Business
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.
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Is Your Business A “Digital Disaster”
Jody Jankovsky, Founder and Managing Member, Black|Line Consulting
TOPIC CATEGORY: Business
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 for your organization or business. MORE >
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Enriching Your Nonprofit Through Planned Giving
Robert J. Varak, Law Offices of Robert J. Varak
TOPIC CATEGORY: Business
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. -
Insecure, unsafe & slow: 10 ways to improve your WordPress website
Lisa Ghisolf, President & Founder, Gizmo Creative Factory, Inc.
TOPIC CATEGORY: Business
There are thousands of plugins and tips out there – many free, but how do you narrow them down? I’ve been designing and developing WordPress sites since 2008, and I also work with corporations, nonprofits and bloggers. No matter how popular they are, I still spend a lot of time fixing hacked sites and maintaining and improving them. I’ll share the same tips I use with them to improve your site. We’ll talk social, security, speed, design and more. You’ll leave with an action plan and stronger understanding of your WordPress site.
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