Hosted by nationally-syndicated finance expert Terry Savage and Ed Gjertsen - past National President of the Financial Planning Association and Founder & CEO at Engage Wealth Group, LLC.

The Better Business Bureau and Financial Planning Association of Illinois have teamed up to bring you this FREE resource. Navigating the often complicated and confusing world of financial services can be tricky. This book aims to help you determine your financial planning needs. 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Attorney Jeffrey Glass from BBB-Accredited firm SmithAmundsen LLC will explain important new changes to the Illinois non-compete law, that goes into effect on January 1, 2022.

Jeff will take you through the new statutory amendments, and also provide you with “the basics” of drafting and enforcing agreements that protect employers’ customer relationships and competitively sensitive information.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021
The BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois partnered with Choose Chicago for a very special virtual event. View our informative discussion on the importance and value in becoming Women/Minority Business Enterprise certified.

Hear from our panelists as they share their knowledge, experience, and unique perspectives on this timely and important topic.

• Overcome hurdles to become W/MBE certified.
• Leverage your certification for both government and non-government business opportunities.
• Understand the value and power that certification can offer your business.
• Proudly showcase your certification and benefits to current and potential customers.

View webinar here. Please enter passcode: $c7JAL#u to view. You can also watch the recording via the YouTube link below. 

Wednesday, June 9, 2021
COVID-19 has tightened the labor market, forcing business leaders and hiring managers to think about broadening their approaches in how best to engage and support a diverse, multi-generational workforce.

As businesses increase reliance on technology, how do leaders empower employees with varied skillsets to effectively collaborate and innovate? Learn how employers transitioned and navigated a hybrid work environment to accommodate these different challenges and win back some of the lost workforce, and how workplaces have reimagined hiring and retention strategies to help their diverse workforce thrive in the return to a new normal.

Panelists:

• Scott Swanson, President, PNC Bank of Illinois
• Cathy Grover, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, PNC Bank of Illinois
• Kimberly Svoboda, Founder and CEO, Aspiration Catalyst

Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Presenter Pat Kelly, Senior Counsel-Special Projects at Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois, provides training on the state’s guidelines which must be adhered to when advertising the sale of vehicles. The BBB monitors all motor vehicle advertisements for their compliance with the regulations. Dealers whose ads are not compliant are notified, and if the ads are not corrected, a matter is forwarded to the attorney general’s office.

Some of the recent infractions the BBB has seen include:

• Offering free gifts and other incentives in relation to a vehicle purchase or lease.
• Including limited rebates, for which not all consumers qualify, in a vehicle’s selling price.
• Advertising specific trade-in allowances or a range of amounts for trade-ins.
• Comparing advertised prices to nationally recognized price guide books without identifying the books.
• Including any one of five “triggering terms” in an ad without also including other clear and conspicuous disclosures.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021
This webinar features executive coach and renowned psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo as she shares ways to cultivate employee productivity, satisfaction, commitment, and engagement.

Dr. Lombardo is a licensed Practicing Psychologist with a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy, and she is the authority on how to crush your inner critic so that you can live a life of purpose, fulfillment and True Success™. She has participated in over 100 national media interviews and is an executive coach who focuses on building resiliency and remaining positive.

December 2, 2020
Presenter Carlos Arévalo, Labor & Employment Partner at SmithAmundsen, provides training on sexual harassment prevention for employers in your businesses, and tactics you can implement to investigate and correct sexual harassment in the workplace.

This webinar will discuss and cover the following:

• Legal definitions of all forms of unlawful harassment/discrimination
• A summary of responsibilities of employers in the prevention, investigation, and corrective measures of sexual harassment
• Employers and employees responsibilities concerning avoiding, preventing, reporting, resolving and remediating harassing or discriminatory conduct

Wednesday, November 18, 2020
COVID-19 has forced consumers and businesses around the world to find new ways to interact and navigate. Savvy organizations are seizing opportunities with new tools, methods and services that best serve a marketplace experiencing unprecedented change. Online resources are becoming increasingly more popular and choosing the right ones could dramatically impact the future of your business.

This webinar discusses how the pandemic has forced businesses to rethink the way they engage customers.

Thursday, November 12, 2020
Business owners are frequently faced with the difficult decision of identifying the correct corporate entity for their businesses.

In this webinar, lawyers from SmithAmundsen review the pros and cons of LLCs, recent changes to Illinois law, and steps you can take to avoid common mistakes.

Whether you are an experienced business owner or a new one, and whether you already have an LLC or not, this webinar provides key information to guide your business strategic planning in the future.

Panelists:

• Eric Fogel, Partner & Chair, Corporate Practice Group, Smith Amundsen
• Karen Tobin, Senior Counsel, Corporate Practice Group, Smith Amundsen
• Nikhil Mehta, Associate, Corporate Practice Group, Smith Amundsen

Wednesday, June 17, 2020
COVID-19 has undoubtedly brought on new challenges for you as a business owner, as new priorities and customer needs have changed how you will need to run your business.

This panel discussion explores how the pandemic has reshaped our economy and the effect on Illinois business owners and what they can do to prepare and protect. From contactless payments and heightened cyber concerns to simple steps on how to re-open – the next phase is one of adaptation.

• Carol Roth (Moderator), Investment banker, investor, entrepreneur, business advisor, national media personality and author
• Stuart G. Hoffman, PNC Senior Economic Advisor
• Kenya Merritt, Chief Small Business Officer at Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
• Chris Ward, Head of Product & Operations for PNC Treasury Management

Thursday, May 28, 2020
Join the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Chicago & Northern Illinois, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection as we give a presentation on the recent spike in scam activity due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

You'll learn how to recognize and avoid:

• Websites selling non-existent products, fake treatments, and cures for COVID-19
• Phishing emails and text messages trying to steal people’s personal information or money
• Scams about government stimulus checks
• Illegal robocalls
• Donation scams including fake charities and crowdfunding sites

Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Our expert panel helps address your financial questions and concerns during this challenging time for businesses.

Panelists:

• Terry Savage, Nationally syndicated finance expert
• Tammy Wener, CFP® Co-founder of RW Financial Planning, LLC and Director of Public Awareness for the Financial Planning Association of Illinois
• Ed Gjertsen, CFP® VP of Mack Investment Securities, Inc.
• Bo Steiner, District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Illinois District Office