All Topics in Chicago

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  The Case for Kindness

  Marie Genevieve Pawlak, Managing Principal , Prime Alchemy a division of Planning101 Group

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Self-Improvement

  What would happen if Kindness was put on trial? Does it really pay to be kind In Leadership? How does kindness really help us in today's fast-paced world? This talk will provide insight and humor into what it really means to be kind and how being kind is the secret ingredient to success.

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  The China Trade War: Trade, Tariffs and Supply Chain Considerations

  Lauren Pittelli, Principal, Baker Logistics Consulting Services Inc.

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  Global Supply Chains have always had their intricacies, and with international trade and the global economy in flux it is vital to understand the complexities of trade relations. What's the status of the trade war? Will it end soon - and if not, what should we expect in the future ...and most importantly, what should U.S. companies be doing today to address these uncertainties? MORE >

  If you are currently doing business in China you should not miss this presentation and if you are not currently doing business in China you still should not miss this presentation - because you and your business are likely to be affected by what happens with trade between the U.S. and China.

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  The Comfort Zone Illusion-Solving the Mystery

  Susan Neustrom, Ed.D., Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker, Educator, Leading to Action

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Self-Improvement

  Are you ready for change? Are you a leader embarking on change within your organization? Whether change is planned or unplanned, more than likely you and your team need to step outside your comfort zone and do something different. However, leaving your comfort zone is frightening and fear can stifle growth, halt progress, and negatively impact behavior making you feel as if you lost control, stuck, and not moving forward. When implementing transformational change in an organization leaders are challenged with getting everyone excited and motivated about new ways of working. Often times, leaders are met with resistance, complaints, and frustration because people are being asked to step outside their comfort zone. Change upsets routine and structure and opens the door allowing fear to enter and demonstrated in thoughts and action. Of course, it doesn’t need to be this way because the comfort zone is really an illusion. MORE >

  This presentation unravels the mystery of the comfort zone to expose the stark reality of the discomfort of change. Therefore, enabling leaders to discover why leaving your comfort zone is so difficult, what creates fear during times of change, and how to develop strategies for engagement and empowerment that eliminate the fear of leaving your comfort zone and to view change through a new lens.

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  The Conservative Case for Smart Climate Action

  Andrew Panelli, Group Leader, Chicago South Suburbs, Citizens' Climate Education

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate

  About 40% of all Americans either have some degree of skepticism regarding climate change as an issue or need more information on the subject. This presentation moves beyond scientific based arguments for taking action and refocuses on a compelling case for solutions that are both in-line with conservative principles and deliver desired outcomes that include: freedom of choice, quality of life, enhanced national security, and economic well-being. MORE >

  Throughout the presentation the audience is engaged in an interactive discussion providing feedback on shared values, approach, and whether the proposed solution meets a conservative “litmus test”.

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  The Exit Checklist: A 5-Step Personal Action Plan For a Happy (And Lucrative) Exit From Your Business

  Jason Pittman, President, ExitAdvisor

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Business

  For a successful exit, you need to be able to say a hearty “Yes!” to two important questions: 1. Is your business ready for you to exit? 2. Are you ready to exit? It’s an easy question to ask, but it can be difficult to answer. This is why we’ve created a five-step action plan to ensure you have a happy, lucrative exit from your business.
  MORE >

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  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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  The Issues & Solutions to Climate Change

  Henry Moss, Outreach Educator, Citizens Climate Lobby Education

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Climate

  Climate Change is humanity’s greatest challenge. Its solution depends on innovative policy and low-carbon technology that will catalyze and accelerate the global transition to a clean energy economy. Henry’s presentation will increase awareness of the urgency of Climate Change and how your members can be part of the solution to Climate Change. MORE >

  Presentation Overview:
  How to be part of the solution to Climate Change
  The importance of political will
  The basics of Climate Change
  The urgency of Climate Change
  An innovative bipartisan policy solution
  Pricing carbon to accelerate technical solutions
  Renewable energy to grow our economy & jobs

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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."

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  The Medicare Puzzle: Do You Know Your A, B, C, & D’s ?

  Tom Kedzie CFP®, MBA, Financial Planner, RetireWell

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Educational

  In this presentation you will learn:

  * How Medicare enrollment periods work and how to avoid late penalties.
  * What you can expect to pay after going on Medicare.
  * What Medicare covers and doesn't cover.
  * Why you must plan for higher health care costs in retirement.
  * What about Long Term Care?

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  The Microbiome and Autoimmunity; Unlocking Clinical Opportunities for Health.

  Robert Zoboski, DC, DACO, MS, President, Family Chiropractic Care S.C.

  TOPIC CATEGORY: Health & Fitness

  There has been a tsunami of clinical research since the completion of the human genome project in 2001. Did you know that two thirds of the human body consist of bacteria, viruses, fungi, prokaryotes, and archaea? Collectively, these micro-organisms are known as the microbiome. Also coined the "second brain', the gut microbiota communicates with the human host in a symbiotic fashion. Our lifestyles and environment modulate our gut microbiota and can lead to imbalances in its composition resulting in increased intestinal permeability. Uncontrolled intestinal permeability can modulate our immune response, and if left unchecked, can lead to autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and many others. With modern advances in diagnostic testing, it is now possible to detect antibodies early on in the disease spectrum. Early detection may allow preventative steps that may preempt disease manifestation via precise and precision treatment plans. This 'systems based' approach will fundamentally change the way medicine is delivered in the coming years. This presentation looks at the present status of how we, as "super organisms", have the capability to modify the way our genes express themselves, by changing our lifestyle, and healing our gut. MORE >

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