Welcome to Stakeholder Solutions
Stakeholder Solutions is about improving your relationships - or lack of them - with
governments, regulators, membership, industry, media or communities.
Simply stated, Stakeholder Solutions is about facilitating the
ability of stakeholders to find the most sustainable solution.
We use a variety of tools to achieve this - stakeholder
audits, workshops, but most importantly - just old fashioned sitting down and working
though issues with people.
If you want a "lobbyist", a "spin doctor", or "PR
person" - please seek these services elsewhere. Our work
is for clients who seek improved relations with their stakeholders,
which does not mean you will agree on everything or even much - only
that you will have greater certainty of how to most effectively
manage your relationship(s) going forward.
If you have a stakeholder situation and are genuinely motivated to
work towards a best practices resolution, then we perhaps we should
talk. At 52, I am only interested in projects where I can tell
my young daughter that I tried to make a difference for the world
she will inherit.
Stakeholder Solutions is George Paisiovich. We have a
roster of various consultants we can collaborate with depending on
what is the right mix is for your needs. This low overhead
means we don't play the billable hours shell game, nor are we
motivated to stretch the work over longer period of time to cover
expenses. Just upfront, accountable - results driven.
In order to maintain our commitment to personalized dedication to our clients,
our clientele is select and limited, though we are always open to
new adventures we can believe in. If
you would like us to consider your organization, please contact us.
Stakeholder Solutions
1235
Fairview Street, Suite 347
Burlington, Ontario Canada L7S 2K9
Phone: (905)
319-0079
Fax: (905)
319-3780
E-mail:
GetResults@stakeholdersolutions.com
George Paisiovich, Principal
George Paisiovich started his public policy
experience in the House of Commons in 1976 as Special Assistant to
the Chief Opposition Whip.
In the past 30 years he has served as Chief of Staff
to Canada’s Minister of National Revenue, Customs & Excise, as well
as the Executive/ Special Assistant to eight Members of Parliament
and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in
Ottawa and Queen’s Park.
George has provided contractual assistance to
over 32 cabinet minister offices, the Office of the Premier of
Ontario, as well as numerous senior civil servant managers.
George's campaign experience includes campaigns across Canada,
national leadership campaigns, President Ford’s 1976 campaign, as
well as media relations during Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s
third election. As a campaign manager across Ontario (retired - we
repeat - retired), George had an 81% victory rate.
As President of StakeholderSolutions.com, George has worked
with organizations, municipalities, as well as every provincial
ministry in Ontario in developing stakeholder relations management
programs.
In recognition of George’s national and community service he
was awarded the Governor General’s Commemorative Medal of the 125th
Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation in 1992
George is a
frequently requested session leader on public policy communications,
stakeholder relations and crisis management.
What Others Say ...
Disaster &
International Services for the Canadian Red Cross
“As the Manager of Disaster & International Services for the
Canadian Red Cross, I have been exposed to some of the best skills
development resources available anywhere. Given that, I have to say that
after working with George, I have gained a tremendous insight into the
project management component of stakeholder relations in times of crisis.
The proven management techniques to benchmark a situation and to rapidly
act on that knowledge continue to benefit our relationship with our
stakeholders. I highly recommend this experienced expert.”
Steven Armstrong, Manager of Disaster & International Services for the
Canadian Red Cross
Federal and Provincial Ethanol
Agreements
StakeholderSolutions was engaged by a
major Canadian oil company to troubleshoot the process of securing a
provincial ethanol manufacturers' agreement with a provincial government,
as well as to re-negotiate the terms of the National
Biomass Ethanol Program (NBEP). Both initiatives involved working with
the offices of the Prime Minister, Privy Council, Premier, Cabinet Office,
Cabinet Committees and Ministers of Agriculture, Finance, Energy,
Environment, Natural Resources, - as well as MPs, MPPs and industry
stakeholders. In the words of the lead Vice-President, "
You
did it !!! You absolutely lived up to your promise ! You inspire me.
Thank so very much. I’ll call you tomorrow to close the loop on some of
the last items. Seriously …. I’m so grateful to you. You’ve single
handedly made my Team look very good and more importantly, we’ve delivered
the goods !
Vice-President,
Suncor Energy Products
Office of the Premier on Ontario - People and
Team Development Branch
StakeholderSolutions.com was contracted by the Premier's Office to
undertake a series of stakeholder assessment workshops with
over 40 key provincial organizations. The outcome of these mutually
beneficial groundbreaking sessions resulted in improved conflict
resolution, identification of
going-forward best practices and healthier working relationships.
Ontario Corn Producers Association
“At a time when the
relationship between the Ontario Corn Producers and the Ontario government
was at a bitter all time low, we brought
George Paisiovich
in to help us chart a new working relationship. George was a 24/7 source
of advice and encouragement as we crafted and implemented a cooperative
campaign which resulted in a 180 degree turn for the better in our
relationship. Literally within weeks we went from bitter isolation with
one minister, to freely calling the new minister at home on weekends.
Stakeholder Solutions communications and strategic services worked with
our board members to help us craft the right balance of cooperation and
advocacy both politically and within the civil service.
For any association facing crisis, serious change, or wanting to
grow their organization, I would strongly encourage them to engage this
innovative and results driven professional.”
Dennis Jack, Past President, Ontario Corn Producers Association
Red Cross Workers Pay Equity Crisis
In the fall of 1998, the Ontario Division
of the Canadian Red Cross Homecare faced the tragic possibility that over
14,000 homecare providers would have to be laid off at Christmas time as
pay equity requirements on January 1st would virtually render the
organization unable to meet the massive +40% payroll increase. George was
brought in to help trouble shoot the crisis. Long story short - those
workers still kept their jobs, and Red Cross became designated as in
compliance with the Act.
"Thank you so much for the critical role you in developing and
implementing the strategic plan coordinating our non-profit organization,
a government regulator (Pay Equity), the union, elected officials and
ministry personnel and media and our clients. What a Christmas present
this has turned out to be!"
Allan Prowse, President, Red Cross, Ontario Division
Ontario Government Stakeholder
Relations Program
Stakeholder Solutions has worked with every ministry at least once in
developing a stakeholder program, including the development of the
information technology infrastructure for over 23,000 government
stakeholders. Stakeholder Solutions has regularly conducted a variety
of workshops and seminars for ministers’ staff on more effective
relationships with external stakeholders and developing internal
administrative protocols and best practices.
“George
Paisiovich of Stakeholder Solutions was contracted by the Premier’s Office
to complete a government-wide analysis of the stakeholder relation
dynamics of Ministers’ offices; design an interim government-wide
stakeholder database to standardize the methodology used to respond to the
thousands of multi-ministerial stakeholders government; to incorporate
this knowledge into a series of workshops and best practices towards a
“one stakeholder – one government” response capacity.
George produced the most ground breaking work in the realm of government
stakeholder relations in Ontario, and probably Canada as well. I would
highly recommend this multi-disciplined stakeholder authority."
Louise Harris, Director,
Premier's Office of People and Team Development
Pelee Council Motion of
Appreciation
"Council and
the residents of the Township of Pelee extend their heartfelt thanks to
Stakeholder Solutions and in particular George Paisiovich for his
invaluable assistance in dealing with municipal concerns over the past
year and a half."
Passed by Township of
Pelee Municipal Council
Increased safety while saving $millions
“George Paisiovich of
Stakeholder Solutions saved Ontario’s greenhouse industry from a
pending regulatory requirement which was based upon a severe lack of
understanding of how our industry operates.
At the 11th hour we brought George in, he completely
revamped our industry’s approach to crafting a new regulatory
proposal in collaboration with trade, insurance and regulatory
representatives which would result in greater sustainable,
measurable and predictable safety for many years to come.
The fact that it saved the greenhouse industry millions of dollars
annually was also greatly appreciated.
What I respect most about George is that he could be thrown into the
middle of a technical issue he had no background in, and not only
effectively represent our interests, but also ensure that the other
stakeholders involved also came out ahead.
Recommend George Paisiovich of Stakeholder Solutions? Highly,
completely and with great appreciation.”
John Newland, TOGA – The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance
Former Mayor of Pelee
Island
"As
the former mayor of the Township of Pelee, I had the pleasure of working
with George Paisiovich, when our township was headed down a very dark
path, with no hope of change in sight.
George is a great listener, with a keen ability to
appreciate other people’s points of view. It wasn’t long before he
organized not only town hall meetings, but also organized and chaired
roundtables bringing together for the first and only times, diverse
interests - municipal council, Nature Conservancy of Canada, the
Conservation Authority, planners, engineers, Ministry officials from
Natural Resources, Transportation and Municipal Affairs, farmers,
sportsmen, developers, cottagers, and more – all around a common table
with a simple agenda of “what are each of us doing and how can we help
each other?”
If you are not open to a solution do not talk to
George, but if you put your faith in a totally honest man, and approach
things the way he says you will get a solution, which will make every
stakeholder happy.
While George and I have also had
healthy differences of opinion,
I have
worked with many people over my twenty-four years in politics, but there
is only one I would trust with my life and that is George.
Bill Krestel, former Mayor of the Township of Pelee
Nature Conservancy of
Canada
"Stakeholder Solutions certainly lives up to its
name. George was able to bring conservation and development interests
together on Pelee Island to create a win-win solution after years of
entrenched polarization amongst various interests.
The result was the
Nature Conservancy of Canada being able to advance our conservation
mission on Pelee, while bringing certainty, clarity and a new era of trust
between the conservation community, local island community and business
interests.
As a result, there has been a historical environmental net gain on the
island, and there is an movement of cooperation which is a model for other
challenged communities. Thanks George for everything you made happen."
James Duncan, Associate Vice President, Conservation, Ontario Region
TOGA - The Ontario Greenhouse
Alliance
The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance (TOGA) is
a new vehicle to bring together the historically silo operations of
various Ontario greenhouse industry stakeholders onto an equal playing
field to achieve those outcomes which they less effectively achieve by
their independent approaches. TOGA’s vision is to provide an
infrastructure and approach that will integrate all the current resources
and future potential of the Ontario greenhouse stakeholders into a
community and international marketplace presence, with the synergy and
standards to be a world leader in greenhouse operations.
"StakeholderSolutions
was absolutely critical to TOGA coming together and getting $5 million in
start up money. Their passion and expertise in managing the stakeholder
relations of the industry and government into a mutual vision and
commitment was simply amazing. They have earned my trust and deep
appreciation."
Founding
Chair, TOGA, Cole Cacciavillani
Sportsman from
Pelee Island
"As a volunteer with different, mainly small and rural, community groups
such as the Pelee Island Sportsman's Club, my first contact with George
and Stakeholder Solutions was from the back of the bus; well out of the
danger zone. The recognition our group received upon the arrival of the
bus was spot on. Our meeting was well choreographed, clear, concise and
very productive.
George’s ability to head east when the rest of the world is heading
west is a good thing. His challenging “the norm” style isn’t for
everyone; just the people who are willing to see success though a
different set of glasses.
Still haven’t quite figured out where the kites fit in! *
I dare you to tell George it can’t be done. Thank
you!"
Dave Dawson, Pelee Island
(*I have one of the largest private kite collections
in the world - GP)
Agriculture on Pelee Island
As someone who has served many years as
Deputy Mayor, and whose family has had one of the largest farm operations
on Pelee Island for over a century, I am very familiar with the island’s
needs and potential.
Before George arrived a few years ago, we were being strangled by
environmental regulations out of control, with the island a virtual war
zone of anger and suspicion between environmentalists and islanders. It
was so bad that islanders bought and posted hundreds of anti-MNR signs
(Ministry of Natural Resources), investment was scared off and we were at
a polarized stalemate – neither side able to move forward.
Into this crisis situation George Paisiovich of Stakeholder Solutions was
engaged by the municipal council I served on for a 3 month contract to try
to help us out.
And within that 3 month period, George organized what could have been an
explosive town hall to laid a foundation of understanding, respect and
cooperation which continues to grow.
After the first town hall meeting, he organized a workshop so everyone
could understand all the challenges we faced as an island –
infrastructure, new Official Plan, transportation, regulatory compliance,
environmental stewardship and economic investment, and more. It helped us
to understand ourselves better as one inter-dependant island community –
where one cannot succeed without the other, and encouraged us to work out
our differences on the island so we could go to government with “one
voice”.
Two years later, we still have problems like every community, but now we
have more confidence in our ability to solve our problems, we have a plan,
and we have much stronger partnerships with those whom we were once
polarized with.
George didn’t do this himself, and we don’t always agree. But we are
unquestionably better off because of him, we appreciate him going beyond
the call of duty to continue to work with us, and for reminding us to work
together and rally to the goal of lets , “get ‘er done”. And that is
something you can count on with George – he’ll “get ‘er done” through
trust, partnership and plain hard work.
Grant Crawford
Leader of the Official Opposition
Regarding Pelee Island
"George
got me away from the briefing books of Queen’s Park and down to Pelee
Island so I could see their challenges, hear its people, and host a Town
Hall meeting.
With this simple visit, George demonstrated to the islanders that their
concerns would be heard by those in power; sent a message that the
Government could either work with the islanders, or answer to them through
the Legislature; and repositioned the politics of the island’s issues from
those of a remote island to a file the Premier’s Office had to monitor
since it could become an issue on a moment’s notice.
Two weeks later he did the same thing with Ontario’s Environmental
Commissioner Gord Miller with a three day visit to the island.
A
month later the first Minister of natural Resources to ever visit the
island, had his turn at the tour and standing in front of a town hall
meeting.
Two years later, the Government passed a new Endangered Species Act which
addressed many of the concerns of the island, including a special
amendment specific only to Pelee Island.
Inclusive, empowering – results! Addressing today’s urgency while laying
a foundation for sustainable working relationship into the future.
Bottom line: he is smart, he takes a personal, engaged approach with
people, he builds crucial relationships for his clients and he gets
results."
John Tory,
Leader of the Official Opposition
Canada's Largest
Ethanol Plant
As strategic advisor, George Paisiovich
was brought in to break the three year impasse of government support, and
develop a strategic plan to over come opposition, secured federal and
provincial guarantees.
"At a point where we had done the
huge community parades and demonstrations, and worn out pairs of shoes
visiting politicians, we were put in touch with
George Paisiovich.
Literally, within days George had put together a strategic plan which
incorporated a regional partnership of CFPL TV, OCPA, MP's, City of
Chatham, ag groups, renewable fuels groups and more, into a coordinated
plan which resulted in a one hour television program which re-positioned
our situation from one of corporate handout to that of rural economic
renewal and environmental friendliness. George followed up on this
renewed momentum with a government relations game plan which lead to our
long sought guaranteed protection from a change in government's excise tax
policy. This was the final piece for investors to give the ethanol plant
the green light. To top it off, George put together the arrangements for
Prime Minister Jean Chretien to officially open the plant. Bottom line -
George Paisiovich was one of the best investments we ever made.”
Doug MacKenzie, President,
Commercial Alcohols 1997
Macdonald Report on the future of
Ontario Hydro
Release of the Macdonald Report on the
future of Ontario Hydro.
Brought in to a challenging situation in the Minister’s office, George
over saw all aspects of the province-wide release of the Macdonald Report
including media and stakeholder relations.
At a
critical time in my ministry when we were weeks away from the launch of
the MacDonald Committee Report on the future of electricity in Ontario, I
brought in the highly recommended problem solver George Paisiovich
to “support” my ministry in this critical initiative.
George possesses an
incredible skill set which is as effective with the civil service, as it
is with the media and stakeholders. In the face of intense media
scrutiny, on an major issue of ground breaking public policy, where
powerful stakeholder interests were sharply divided, and with only weeks
to work in, George was able to chart a critical path which allowed us to
be one of the few, if not the only major electricity announcement which
was well received through the media in the past ten years or more.
I would encourage, as I
have, any organization to utilize this innovative, focused, and results
drive professional, who is an absolute pleasure to work with, and amazing
to watch in action.
Hon. Brenda Elliott, Former Minister of
Energy and Environment
Pelee
Island Natural Environment
"Our community has experienced the positive advancements delivered by
George Paisiovich of Stakeholder Solutions, ones brought to bear on a
number of thorny issues, and which had persisted for some time.
Everyone knows the fable of the competition between the Wind and the Sun.
Both try to get Sam to take off his coat. As the Wind blows harder and
harder, Sam clutches onto his coat and won't let go. When the Sun has her
turn, with calm and patience, the temperature rises, and Sam finds it is
in his own interest to remove his coat. A solution for Sam and for the
Sun.
You can hire the Wind, or you can retain George Paisiovich of
Stakeholder Solutions.
On an island we will always go with the Sun."
Ron Tiessen
Curator,
Pelee
Island Heritage Centre
Current Councilor, Pelee Island
"In the winter of
2005, Pelee Island was on rough times. We had over 400 anti-MNR signs
posted as a result of our frustration with the Ministry of Natural
Resources. Our Co-op was facing closure, we got hit with a $30,000 fine
over drinking water, our draft Official Plan was rejected, and that’s
about the way we all felt too given these and many other problems.
Then I
heard about George’s work with the greenhouse industry and their
regulators, and invited him over to meet with council. From day one George
has been upfront, and Council was informed daily on all activities.
Within two months, most of the signs came down and we have progressively
rebuilt a working relationship with our environmental and government
partners.
We put our total trust in him and were amazed with the results. The
important people he brought to the island were very impressed with our new
found direction to speak and be heard with 1 voice and 1 goal to stay on
course. He held a regular series of town hall meetings to keep people
informed and part of an open and transparent process.
He came to me highly recommended and he has always gone above and beyond
what he was asked to do. While we don’t always agree on things, if he
ever needs a good letter of reference, I will be first to write one up."
Larry Gervais, Councilor, Township of Pelee (Island)
"Just
What The Hell Is going On In Ottawa?"
“That
night I attended the first all-candidates debate and walked into a hostile
room filled with people wearing buttons for other candidates. Things did
not go well. When I got home, I told my wife I had just made a huge
mistake and went to bed.
The next morning
George Paisiovich
called me, offering help. That night we met, he signed on, and then
George disappeared for three harrowing days. When he finally came back he
presented his strategy, complete with organizational and activity charts,
volunteer recruitment kits and other papers with lots of empty boxes drawn
on them. He said he had it all figured out.
George was relentless, disciplining me, scheduling every minute of the
day, telling me who to call, where to go and even what to eat.
In the end, I won the nomination on the second ballot and convinced George
to stay on as my campaign manager for the general election. He did, and
with the same kind of open-access campaign, put together a team which
delivered 54.6% of the vote – the best showing for any Tory in
Ontario."
Hon. Garth Turner, MP, in his book, "Garth! Just What the
Hell is Going on in Ottawa?"
Indian-McGregor Creek Flooding
“In 1983, 17 of 18 municipalities, politicians and the Ministry of Natural
Resources, were all set to spent $millions to put a dam near the mouth of
Indian Creek. The only problem of course was that all the water from 17
miles of tiled, flat agricultural land would have no where to go except to
flood a bunch of us out. We had talked to the politicians, lawyers and
engineers until we were blue in the face, but no one would budge from
their unworkable plan.
Then we got introduced to young man who didn’t like wearing shoes, drove a
TR-6 sports car with a guitar and kites in the back of it all the time.
This guy we were told was our last great hope, which initially had us
thinking that we really were toast.
But they say you can’t always judge a book by its cover so we gave him a
chance, and soon he was hurting our heads with “cross relational charts”,
“critical decision paths” ,and the like.
Well, after a year of an absolutely fascinating experience to witness, we
ended up with 18 of 18 municipalities, the politicians and MNR all
agreeing to a different, better and more expensive project – which would
actually work.
So today, if you are ever in Chatham-Kent and see the Indian/McGregor
Creek Flood Control Scheme, you will see a project which ended a century
of problem flooding. And largely, though not exclusively, because of two
farmers, a principled Reeve, an engineer and a hippie strategist who
didn’t know that they couldn’t do what they did.
Whatever else he may be, George Paisiovich is certainly the most
innovative, persistent and enjoyable trouble-shooter I have ever had the
pleasure of knowing.”
Len Harwood,
Farmer Raleigh Township
"George was incredibly
innovative, self-schooled and experienced. I enjoyed being at the front
of the room, while he loved working the corners.
The man is brutally
honest, straight-forward and can irritate the hell our of me because he
refuses to hide other points of view even when he knows I don't want to
hear them.
But George has
consistently been a friend, putting the physical and emotional health of
Dorothy and I above the ceaseless demands of being an MP.
Best, he can make
me laugh, while making me wise."
Hon. Garth Turner, MP, in his book, "Garth! Just What the Hell is Going on
in Ottawa?"
Jewish
Parents for Equality in Education Funding
Our mandate was to advocate for a monetary infusion of $40
million per year into Jewish Day Schools on a yearly basis. This meant a
venture into the political advocacy arena in support of public funding of
independent school's. Early on we were determined to succeed but had
little ability or resources available to us. It became apparent after 3
years of hard work and long hours, that our venture was in need of a small
boost. Of the many political contacts we were making and keeping, one name
kept cropping up as a good fit for our needs, that was Stakeholder
Solutions.
We made contact with George Paisovich, and met to explain our
situation to what we would come to know as very receptive ears.
Stakeholder Solutions was very perceptive about our abilities and
shortcomings. They were able to make short and long term recommendations
as to how to best deal with these abilities in advancing our position.
Our fund raising efforts were greatly improved, and we had a
strategic business plan that we could easily live with. Stakeholder
solutions opened doors that we were unable to access on our own, they
provided support when we needed it, and were able to redirect us when new
and surprising events thrown at us.
The issue we were dealing with had been on many committee agendas
over a 5 year period. Non had found any success. Soon after meeting with
Stakeholder Solutions, our funding was given form in a finance bill
presented to the Ontario Legislature.
I credit much of our success to the direction we were given by
George Paisiovich of Stakeholder Solutions.
Robert
Samery, Chairperson, Jewish Parents for Equality in Education Funding
Bolton Enterprise 1988
"The former Financial Editor of the
Toronto Sun also enlisted the services of George Paisiovich as his
campaign advisor. As most of you know I have been allied with all
those so-called experts who ran the Big Blue Machine and I can tell you
the Atkins, the Camps and the Goodman's couldn't hold a candle to George
Paisiovich, he is that good." Columnist Leo
Beckett, Bolton Enterprise 1988
Ontario Greenhouse Industry Issues Resolution Study
“In my role as the MPP for
Chatham-Kent, George Paisiovich was of tremendous value to me in
establishing a working relationship with the local greenhouse operators
and advancing their issues. The Minister’s exemption for boilers is but
one example where his counsel was critical.
When I was approached to undertake the Ontario Greenhouse Industry
Issues Resolution Study, he was first person I consulted before agreeing.
George was invaluable in assisting me in designing an approach criteria,
designing and implementing an on-line survey, and most importantly,
reviewing the mass of information in a variety of formats and helping to
merge them into a coherent position paper.
George’s passion and commitment to the greenhouse industry is contagious,
his insight is sound and imaginative, and his ability to take a mass of
disconnected facts and chart them into a critical path and plan is
impressive to witness.
In my opinion, George Paisiovich is the best investment the
Ontario
greenhouse industry could make in addressing the issues and challenges
that my report identified.
Jack Carroll, Author
Ontario Greenhouse Industry Issues Resolution Study
O' Canada Foundation
As strategic
advisor to the O' Canada foundation, George was instrumental in helping to
bring the vision of the revitalization of our national anthem by many of
Canada's leading musicians to Canada's 125th birthday celebrations on
Parliament hill, as well as a one hour CTV special.
If you have any questions,
please contact us at:
getresults@stakeholderSolutions.com
|
