Dare to Negotiate: The Art of Negotiation 08-17-17

Negotiation is more than just a discussion - it is an Art.  Unsuccessful negotiations leave business owners continually falling short of their goals with less-than-ideal profits to prove it. Join us as three professionals who use negotiation in their everyday lives share their tips for success with us. Learn how to identify when you should negotiate, when to bring in a professional, and the general process for a successful negotiation.  ​

Sandra Bodeau practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and franchise and distribution law. Most recently she has focused on the transfer of multi-unit retail stores (including restaurants, fitness centers and other types of retail outlets), the buying or selling of mid-market businesses, and the acquisitions of franchise systems.  In addition, she advises companies generally on business formation, corporate finance and contract issues, and franchisors in particular on system development and ongoing program issues.  

Sandy has worked with clients in a variety of industries including restaurants, health and fitness, hotels, reatil merchadise sales, home services, commercial cleaning services, and printing and personal care services.  She has also worked as in-house counsel for a company with multi-brand concepts, which gives her first-hand experience with the issues facing growing businesses. Sandy is admitted to the bar in Minnesota and Texas.  She received her law degree, cum laude, from the University of Minnesota and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
 

Kate Gillette is a Vice President in Avison Young’s Minneapolis office where she specializes in commercial real estate transaction management, financial analysis, and market research. Additionally, Kate is responsible for developing and implementing creative solutions that address her clients’ needs while supporting their long-term business plans. Her areas of focus include assisting clients with business efficiencies, qualitative and quantitative negotiations, and strategic real estate planning. Kate advises companies on how to merge their real estate vision with their business and financial reality. Her close engagement with clients allows her to act as an extension of their internal business units, providing her with the deep insight necessary to drive value and success. Taking into consideration all business requirements, space considerations, and lease variables, Kate strives to uncover potential issues early in the leasing process. By uncovering these issues, she is able to better advise her clients on sound real estate decisions and negotiate for the optimal solution. 

Kate began her career by learning about the fundamentals of buildings while getting a degree in architecture. Her subsequent positions working with an executive training group and an urban property brokerage have given her a unique ability to understand each business and find the space for their business to thrive. Clients benefit from working with a professional who actively leads and delivers a flexible suite of services. She and her team utilize consistent processes to transform client’s real estate into a distinct, competitive advantage. ​

Cathy Connett is the president and founder of CorConnections, LLC, which specializes in guiding businesses through new business initiatives, equity infusions, ownership transitions, and the building of alliances and partnerships. Clients have included Sage Electrochromics, North Star Photonics, Hot Shot Products, JJ Hill Library, and Hermes Floral. She has served as the director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas and for the last 20 years, helped initiate multiple programs to support the entrepreneurial community including the MN Seed Capital Network, Women to Women (W2W) investment group in 1998, and the Sofia Angel Fund in 2006.

She has also served twice as a judge for the regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards. She has served on a number of private company boards, including Smarte Carte, Hot Shot Products, Woodland Container Corporation, and Vixar and non-profit boards including MDI, MN Project Innovation, and the Harvard Business School Alumni Association, where she chaired the board serving the 65,000-member international alumni community. Cathy has a diverse operational background in all functional areas, in union and non-union environments and in a wide range of B2B industries and marketplaces. Her experience includes roles at large companies such as Procter & Gamble, Boise Cascade, and 3M as well as startup and small private companies.​

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