Jay Sachetti joined Jeff O’Brien, partner at Husch Blackwell and Dyanne Ross-Hanson, president of Exit Planning Strategies talked about the market for mergers and acquisitions, exit planning opportunities for companies that don’t end up for sale and how companies can maximize their eventual sale price during an early October panel at the first Upsize on Tap event at Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul.
When the state Legislature passed a law requiring employers to provide paid leave and safe time for employees, Justin Bieganek started hearing differing details from friends, colleagues and peers.
On April 1, Café Lurcat was packed with people enjoying brightly colored drinks in martini glasses and free food as guests of Cynthia Barber and her eight-month-old business lead company, Minneapolis-based Game Plan Consulting. The swanky invitation-only event came together with minimal financial input from Game Plan, which utilizes Barber’s background as a private investigator to help companies dig up business leads.
“I just had a brainstorm and just went down to Cafe Lurcat and pitched them on the idea,” says Barber. It wasn’t a long trip, since Game Plan’s offices are located above the café.
Barber is a former private investigator who worked with city prosecutor’s offices and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension before making the move to the corporate world, where she helped companies obtain business leads.
“I just helped them get the right information, the contact people, helped
them get around the gate keepers,” says Barber of her days in the corporate world. “They closed it.”
In return for Café Lurcat sponsoring the food and location, Barber said she would take care of the logistics and attract a guest list of 200 communications and advertising executives — people that Café Lurcat would like as diners.
“The goal was to get the executives and principals in the advertising and communications industry and connect with their peers,” says Barber.
In the end Barber says her guest list topped 600, with about 200 people attending.
Convincing Minneapolis-based D’Amico & Partners, which owns Café Lurcat along with Campiello and D’Amico Cucina restaurants, to sponsor the event was easier than it might sound. Barber believes she was successful because she began by thinking about how all parties would benefit.
“It’s about the goal of it — what’s in it for both sides,” says Barber. “You have to make it fruitful for those that want to be a part of it.”
For those hoping to attempt similar sponsorship events, Barber recommends having your “i’s dotted and your t’s crossed” before approaching potential sponsors.
“Think about who would be good partners,” she recommends. “Think about how they can get their message told” within the course of your event.
Barber is delighted with how the event turned out and says she hopes to hold it every April 1.
Cynthia Barber, Game Plan Consulting: 612.486.5666; cb*****@****************ng.com; www.gameplanconsulting.com
