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.
Are sales nonexistent? Marketing not working? Have you evaluated your customer journey through the eyes of your customer? Are you optimized to give the right value at every stage? Are your marketing and selling initiatives aligned with revenue-generating activities? Is your business stuck on awareness mode desperately needing to switch to sales, acquisition, and conversions mode? Let's break down how
"Live fast and hard, die young and have a good looking carcass!" Noel Duba, my father. It really does seem as though no one plans for what may happen as they age. If you have ever cared for an aging parent, then you know how important having a plan for aging can be. This fun, somewhat irreverent talk will provide
We all have those awesome thoughts dripping with possibility, we get a smile on our face and consider how nice it would be then, out of nowhere comes "BUT". The whole show stops when the "BUT" gets in the way. The thinking then turns to all the reasons why we "CAN'T" realize the vision that we were given. We must
Many organizations roll out operating systems with enthusiasm, only to watch them fade when production pressure hits. This talk explores why these systems often stall and how leaders can connect them to strategy in a way that actually lasts. John shares how to make operating systems meaningful to frontline teams, how to reinforce expectations through leadership routines, and how to
If you have made the critical decision to take on the role of a leader, and you want to be great at it – it requires an in-depth look at yourself and a practice of self-awareness on all levels, personally and professionally. This is the starting point of emotional intelligence. While the definition might seem simple, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is
European colonialism recently has been presented, both popularly and scholastically, as an evil that decimated native populations, destroyed native cultures, precipitated extensive wars, and caused irreparable environmental harm. Avoiding judgment in favor of understanding, Professor McGarvie will develop the context for European discovery of the New World in the intellectual, technological, political, and cultural contexts of both the Native Americans
With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated by the day, it is crucial to understand the risks you face. Our presentation will shed light on the tactics employed by hackers, helping you decode their methods and motives. We will explore the inner workings of various cyber attacks, from phishing scams to ransomware, all presented in a conversational and approachable manner that
Strong financial leadership is essential for every successful organization, not just those in the finance department. In this presentation, Jennifer Witter shares practical insights from the perspective of a CFO to help leaders better understand financial performance, cash flow management, and strategic decision-making. Participants will learn how to interpret financial information, identify key indicators that impact business health, and make
In her highly acclaimed book, Being Wrong: Adventures in the margin of error, Kathryn Schulz says “As far as we know, then, error is uniquely ours. Our fallibility is what keeps us suspended between the kingdom of lessor animals and the kingdom of God.” How might we be different in the world if we knew a large percentage of what
Economic inequality has been rising in the US for decades, damaging our economy and society in the process. This presentation will discuss how high it has become, why it happens, how it damages our country, and what we can do about it.
Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Your mindset determines your behavior and thoughts leading to your success, your performance and your impact on staff, co-workers, family, and friends. There are two mindsets, fixed and growth. If you have a fixed mindset you believe abilities and intelligence are determined early in life. Therefore, challenges and failure only
Turnover is one of the most expensive and frustrating challenges in manufacturing, yet the real reasons people leave are often misunderstood. This talk breaks down the human side of turnover, the moments when employees decide to stay or go and how leadership plays a bigger role than most realize. Through candid insights and relatable examples, John explains how clarity, consistency,
In his book "Humanity's Journey Home," Roger talks about the future of the species Homo sapiens and our relationship to the biosphere. It is a provocative view and well received by those who are willing to take off rose-colored glasses and examine the perils we face and the paradigms that got us here. The perspective is hopeful in the long
Ever choose the perfect paint color only to realize it does not look the same on your walls? Why? Understand more about color, the new light bulbs and how they effect color. Discover how light outside and inside you home effects paint color.
Join Dan Gelfond, a master networker with 28+ years of experience building his business almost entirely through networking. As moderator of the Northbrook Chamber’s “First Friday” networking meeting for the past 25 years (averaging 110 attendees monthly), Dan brings proven, practical strategies you can use immediately. What you’ll learn: Clear, actionable do’s — and even more important don’ts — for
Hiring is a two way street. It must be right for both the business and the employee. This workshop provides a different perspective on your biggest challenge and opportunity – hiring people who will thrive in the position and culture.
High-performing women in corporate roles deliver real results every day. And yet, many of them are still not being recognized and rewarded at the level they have earned. It is not because they lack talent. It is not because they lack confidence. It is because of the Articulation Gap: the distance between the impact they create and the impact leadership
Growing up as a youth, my mother was a college educator, and my father was the President of the 2nd largest School Board in Illinois.I played football and Baseball, and sung for The Pepsi Generation Singer. I began to struggle with my grades, and my mother said that I needed to "keep the main thing, the main thing". She suggested
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"
this presentation addresses the problem of unlimited political money corrupting our democracy. We explain the problem clearly, and discuss the causes and possible solutions, including steps that we can take in our own communities to begin addressing this structural problem in our country. The presentation is non-partisan and brings issues to light which are of concern across the aisle.
Learn some simple techniques you can use to train your children (whether they are five or 25) to develop good money habits they can use for the rest of their lives.
This presentation focuses on Trump's tariffs and their impact on our country - not only the economic consequences, but also how they play out in the larger picture of trade, manufacturing, and everyday costs for families. In addition to exploring the topic of tariffs, Ed Spire will be sharing a look "behind the scenes" at how he use social media
Increasing one's happiness can be done through the power of positive thinking. That is one skill that this presenttion will touch on to teach participants how to be happier. Happiness can spread throughout an organization, and have a positive effect on everyone. During this interactive and energetic discussion participants will engage in unique and helpful ways to increase their happiness.
CUB will dive into ways renters and homeowners can access energy efficiency and cost-saving programs and appliances. During this presentation, you will receive information on: Building Decarbonization, The benefits of building electrification, New tax credits and rebates for home energy improvements available through the Inflation Reduction Act, Alternatives to gas appliances, and Free programs designed to save you energy and
Did you find out you need to be NIST 800-171 or CMMC compliance? We'll break down the process of understanding and implementing these frameworks, providing an in-depth overview of the controls required and the timeline for achieving compliance. From assessing your organization's current cybersecurity practices to identifying specific requirements and addressing potential gaps, our presentation will guide you through the
According to Merriam Webster networking is “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business”. These and other events can become more easily managed with this great workshop. During this lively, and interactive Power of Networking (Outside the organization) discussion, participants will begin to see how important it
Are you struggling with trying to motivate and inspire your team, employees, clients, or even yourself? Encouraging an unmotivated individual is a challenge and regardless of the reward, nothing seems to work. Based on years of experience working with challenging populations - jail inmates, the homeless, people living with developmental disabilities, Dr.Susan Neustrom teaches you how to motivate and inspire
Many capable, high-performing professionals experience stress in their body even when things are going well at work. - A tight chest before meetings. - A jolt when emails come in. - A constant background sense of being “on edge.” This free talk introduces Off High Alert, a practical, body-first approach to understanding and reducing work-related stress that doesn’t rely on
There's been a lot of discussion lately about tighter regulations on assault weapons like the AR-15. If we are going to regulate these weapons, we will need a legal definition describing them. And instead of a definition that depends upon specific configurations or cosmetic appearance, we propose a definition based on the factors that make this class of weapons so
If you are a currently working too many hours, can’t seem to find the time to do the things you want to do, and would like to live a balanced life you love, then this presentation is for you! In this presentation, Master Certified Business Coach Tom Kelly covers the shifts you need to make to live a balanced life
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