About Us Client Benefits Services Testimonials PressRoom Faq Contact Us
News Release | Neil's Articles | Need A Speaker


Need A Speaker

If you need an experet speaker on entrepreneur/small busiess owner topics, please contact Neil at 630-321-7888 or via email at : neil@thecouragegroup.com for speaker fee quote.

Speaking Topics
Neil F. Anderson
The Courage Group, Inc .

www.thecouragegroup.com

Topic Offering #1: Exploring Entrepreneurship/How To Start Your Own Business

Provider: : Neil Anderson/The Courage Group, Inc.
Description : :

Thinking of starting your own business? This seminar is a perfect opportunity that de-mystifies how to start your own company from scratch puzzle. Learn the proven, 25 steps to success process, helping you save valuable time, money, expense and aggravation. Plus, learn how to avoid costly mistakes.

Deliverable: :
Receive copy of powerpoint presentation including critical first steps, key entrepreneur skills/traits, why business plans matter, step-by-step process, organizing your business 101, best entrepreneur websites. Ongoing speaker for executive outplacement firms including DBM, Right Management Consultants, Lee Hecht, Borders Bookstores and several Chicagoland area networking organizations, The University Of Illinois, 10/04, Celebrity Cruise Lines, 10/05.

Topic Offering #2: Writing A Professional Business Plan

Provider: : Neil Anderson/The Courage Group, Inc.
Description : :

Essential to the success of any new business is the development of a strong, credible and persuasive business plan. Learn what the mandatory components are, the correct writing process, what bankers and investors are looking for and useful writing/packaging tips.

Deliverable: :

Receive best practices, business plan outline, and copy of powerpoint presentation. Listing of business plan resources. Presentation made to Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce members, Nov/01, Borders Bookstores, Oct/03, Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce members, Nov/04, Center For Urban Business/University of Illinois at Chicago, Apr/05, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Apr/05, The City of Chicago, Small Business Expo, Aug/05, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Oct/05.

Topic Offering #3: Year 1 Survival Tips For Entrepreneurs (20 Success Tips)

Provider: :

Neil Anderson/The Courage Group, Inc.

Description : :

Want to improve your chances of surviving your first year in Business? Learn what the 20, proven, real-life, entrepreneurial Survival tips are that may be helpful in reaching that magical milestone, your first year in business.

Deliverable: :

Receive handout with Year 1 Survival Tips, in depth discussion of each tip. (Year 1 Tips were published nationwide in HOME Business Magazine, December 2002 issue, Opportunity World Magazine, Jan/Feb 2003, Money ‘N' Profits Magazine, Jan/Feb 2003 and The Business Leger Newspaper, December 16, 2002 issue. Presented tips to Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Feb/03, Jul/04 and The Schaumburg Township Library, Jun/03. CLTV's “Your Money” program did feature segment on tips, Apr/03, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Oct/05, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, Feb/06.

Topic Offering #4: How To Write An Investor Presentation

Provider: :

Neil Anderson/The Courage Group, Inc.

Description : :

Trying to raise start-up or expansion money from private or professional investors? Learn how condensing you're written business plan into a succinct, credible and persuasive powerpoint business story will improve your chances of raising money.

Deliverable: :

Receive best practices, powerpoint template with mandatory questions that need to answered in presentation. Tips on writing in a sales-friendly manner. Feature article entitled; “A Successful Sales Pitch Loses The Mumbo Jumbo” was published in The Wall Street Journal Center For Entrepreneurs, Sep/04, The Center For Urban Business Development/University of Illinois at Chicago , May/05, and Celebrity Cruise Lines, Oct/05.

Topic Offering #5: How To Avoid Failure Thinking

Provider: :

Neil Anderson/The Courage Group, Inc

Description : :

No matter what kind of company you start, if you are not committed to the “Failure Is Not An Option” mindset, you are setting yourself for new and existing business failure. Learn the 10, proven tips that will help keep your mind and mission on track, helping to avoid the failure trap.

Deliverable: :

Receive handout with The Failure Is Not An Option Tips, in depth discussion of each tip. (Failure tips were published nationwide in HOME Business Magazine, June 2003 issue, Opportunity World Magazine, May/June 2003 and Money ‘N' Profits Magazine, May/June 2003 issue) Borders Bookstore discussion topic, Jan/04 Chicagoland Television's (CLTV) Your Money Program segment/Feb 06.

Topic Offering #6: Why Publicity Matters

Provider: :

Neil Anderson/The Courage Group, Inc.

Description : :

Essential to the success of any new or existing business is getting the word out to potential clients or customers. However, most entrepreneurs/small business owners have 0 or limited dollars for traditional advertising. Lear the ABC's of publicity and how it can get you free exposure for your product/service and more importantly, help boost sales on a dime.

Deliverable: :

Receive copy of PowerPoint presentation including what the media is looking for, how to “pitch” the media, press release basics best practices strategies and tips. Listing of best PR resources. Borders Bookstore discussion topic, Feb/04, American Society of Interior Designers speaking event, Feb/04, Center For Urban Business/University of Illinois at Chicago, Mar/05, Jewish Vocational Service of Chicago, Jun/05, feature article written on topic published in LaSalle Bank's small business newsletter, Jul/05, The University of Chicago/Graduate School of Business/Entrepreneur Roundtable,Feb/06, Borders Bookstores, feature article to be published in both Money N' Profits and Opportunity World Magazines, Feb 06, NE Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. College Of Dupage , Apr/06, Schaumburg Township Library, Jun/06.

Speaking Testimonials

Neil,

Oh, you beat me to the punch!  As always, you did a wonderful job and I am so pleased you enjoy it!  Thank you so much for your time, effort and professionalism- much appreciated!  Attached is the list of attendees and no shows.  Please let me know if you have any questions - and when you would like to speak again!

 

Rachel Roemke
Director of Programs, Small Business Events
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce


Neil,

Good Afternoon! Thank you very much for being here today to speak to our members about how to write a business plan. It was by far one of the best presentations we have had for our BEST Luncheons! I think it was great that the people that attended could leave today and know exactly what their first steps need to be to get their company up and running. We all learned a lot of valuable information today!

We look forward to working with you in the future! 

 

Lisa Myhre
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce


Bob, this is to let you know that I found the Entrepreneur seminar by Neil Anderson off the charts in terms of content, practical tips and most important, in giving me the courage to explore this track. I gave me so much to think about that I was up and on the computer at 4:30 AM this morning.  Neil's seminar was better than a cup of coffee! The ideas Neil shared with me also helped immensely in my networking at the Fancy Foods Expo.  Thanks so much for offering this seminar at DBM.  I would recommend it to anyone who has ever considered starting a business.

 

Deirdre Junta
Wheaton , IL


Neil,

I just wanted to thank you for your very informative presentation last Monday at Drake, Beam, and Morin. I've attended quite a few of DBM's Monday morning roundtable presentations. Yours was by far the best. You were not only well prepared but shared a tremendous amount of information and material. It impressed me that you did not hesitate a moment to share any material you had with those attending. You related well to those present and identified well with the DBM clients. You provided a valued service that was truly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time, and the wisdom of DBM to invite you.

 

John Olson
Minneapolis , MN


Neil,

I want to thank you for the great program that you presented on Saturday.  Your energy, enthusiasm and expertise inspired our patrons.  Many of them approached me after the program to request a second session.  These future entrepreneurs also appreciated that you extended the program in order to answer all of their questions.

Again, thank you for one of my most successful programs.

 

John Ericson
Corporate and Small Business Liaison Librarian
Schaumburg Township District Library


Neil-It was a pleasure meeting you today at the Entrepreneurial Pre-Meeting today. I enjoyed the presentation and believe your firm is offering a real service to those who may be looking to take the leap and start their own business. Too often, entrepreneurs are left to figure it out on their own. I know I was when I started my company back in 1986. While there are many self-help books, web sites and the like available, there is still no substitute to having someone there to help you through the maze of regulatory, financial, organizational and all the other details that need attending to when one starts up a company.

Best regards,

 

James Fitch
Chicago , IL


Hi Neil,

Thanks for all your information. Your West Group presentation, materials and follow-ups are not only excellent, but truly an inspiration for me as a re-emerging entrepreneur. In this day and age, I agree that just about every business should have the right business organization, protection of assets, etc.

 

Tom Myer
Bloomington , MN


Neil,

Thanks for today.  I found you and what you've done with your business very inspirational.  It's a relief to know that your business exists to help new start up businesses.  You increase the potential for success and take the intimidation factor away. 

Much abundance to you!

 

Diane Testa
Evanston , IL


Neil,

It was a pleasure meeting you at your "Starting a Small Business" presentation you made at the DBM offices in Bloomington .  The information you presented was extremely helpful.

Regards,

 

Dan Wallek
Wheaton, IL


Dear Neil,

I just wanted to let you know that your presentation at DBM last week on entrepreneurship was very interesting.  I have some tentative thoughts in that area but just in the thinking stage at this point.   However, I will definitely keep your firm in mind if I decide to go that route. In the meantime, I was so impressed that I have been passing on the information to others who mention starting their own businesses.  In fact, one was a person later the same day at DBM and he picked up materials you left.

Thanks again for the presentation and information.

Sincerely,

 

Diane Brown
Deerfield , Il


Thank you for the great seminar this last Monday, I really learned a lot.

 

Ellen Grimsby
Bloomington , MN


Mr. Anderson,

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with the 20 Tips for Success. Appreciated hearing your experiences and have printed your 20 tips to remind me not to forget these items in my pursuit of success.  I gathered several good points especially with regard to Marketing and PR.  Last, the flyer locations you provided were extremely valuable.

Thanks again for your help!

Regards,

 

Duncan Meskill
Chicago, IL


Neil,

It was a pleasure meeting you at your "Starting a Small Business" presentation you made at the DBM offices in Bloomington .  The information you presented was extremely helpful.

Regards,

 

Dan Wallek
Bloomington , MN


Neil,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself.  I was impressed with your presentation and believe that you have the right product at the right time.

 

John W. Pratten III
Minnetonka , MN


Neil,

Thanks for a great program at the Chicago Chamber of Commerce Experts for Free.  I appreciate your tremendous effort.

From changing e-mail PR to “Story pitch/Idea” to loving sales, to developing strategic alliances, to speaking at Barnes and Nobles, your advice was sound and very helpful. From one speaker to another, I picked up many great tips. Add to that your laid back, but direct approach and I'd give you five stars all the way!

(By the way, feel free to use this as a testimonial).

 

Todd Natenberg
Chicago , IL


Dear Neil,

Your presentation was first class and hit all the critical and pain areas of an entrepreneur and many startup organizations. I very much relate with the issues you raised and hope to learn from you a great deal.

 

Alex Alavi
Wheaton , IL


Hector, I would like to introduce you to Neil Anderson as a potential speaker for your upcoming Small Business Expo.  Attached are some of the speaking topics that Neil has done for us in the past.  Neil is an excellent presenter and has always received high marks on our workshop evaluations. 

 

Joseph DeLaGarza, Associate Director
Center for Urban Business (CUB)
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)


Neil,

I had the pleasure of attending you workshop at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce on this past Tuesday and wanted to say what a fantastic job you did in not only sharing you expertise and ideas, but also getting the group involved and allowing us to learn from each other as well.  Please keep me informed of any up coming workshops that you will be providing and I will do my best to make sure that I am there.

Thanks so much for a job well done!

Sincerely,

 

Milton E. Brown, Jr.
Chicago , IL


Subject : Outstanding Entrepreneur Seminar by Neil Anderson/Courage Group

Bob, this is to let you know that I found the Entrepreneur seminar by Neil Anderson off the charts in terms of content, practical tips and most important, in giving me the courage to explore this track. I gave me so much to think about that I was up and on the computer at 4:30AM this morning.  Neil's seminar was better than a cup of coffee! Thanks so much for offering this seminar at DBM.  I would recommend it to anyone who has ever considered starting a business.

 

Diedra Junta
Wheaton , IL


Sue,

I met with John Wetzel on Tuesday and told him how I thoroughly enjoyed Neil Anderson's presentation, his style and his ability to answer questions based on his experience.

It was a fantastic class for me. It confirmed that a consulting company is definitely part of my next chapter in my book of life. While I had already set up a LLC, I learned a lot from Neil and may use his PR/Marketing services in the future. I would HIGHLY recommend using Neil in future Right Management courses.

Best regards,

 

Mike Downing
Chicago , IL


Neil,

It was a pleasure meeting a person with enthusiasm, and positive mental attitude. I think America is so great
because of entrepreneur like you.

As I spoke, we are trying to open an Indian Restaurant in the Northern Suburbs, and my role most probably be an AI and be involved in the overall Business management and PR and other business development. My partner would be the direct operational guy who knows how to run the day-to-day activities.

Best Regards,

 

Simhan Mandyam
Oak Park , IL


Thanks, Neil!

I really enjoyed your presentation. I gained much from it.

 

Jon Davis
Chicago , IL


News Release | Neil's Articles | Need A Speaker

 

Home