What We Have Done

"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?"

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.

PELEE COUNCIL PRAISE FOR STAKEHOLDER SOLUTIONS
"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

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

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

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)

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)

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 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

"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

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

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