Vles & Associates

CA

• Facilitation Puts Team Back on Track

Situation: The deputy minister of a major government department felt that its corporate culture limited the contribution of its diverse work force. He created a team of employees from all parts and levels of the department to find solutions that would have broad buy-in. However, the team reached an impasse due to a lack of team- work experience and disagreements over some key issues. Intervention: We began by facilitating the team to get it back on track and meet a crucial deadline. We then provided a training session on basic facilitation skills, and coached individual members as they took turns facilitating the group. Results: In its final report to the deputy minister, the team presented the key challenges at the heart of creating a more inclusive culture as well as recommendations for the subsequent steps. The deputy minister praised the team for their presentation and for bringing to the surface the real issues faced by the department.

• Public Consultation Increases Project

Acceptance Situation: Operation Irving Whale had run into serious opposition. The federal government project to remove a sunken barge loaded with oil and PCBs from the bottom of the Gulf of St. Lawrence was strongly opposed by a combination of environmental activists and local fishermen who feared a spill during the operation would ruin their livelihood. Intervention: We were brought in to facilitate the first round of public consultation meetings in Quebec and the Maritimes. Subsequently we worked with the project team to prepare a communication and consultation strategy for the next round. We also coached project team members in effective risk communication. We then facilitated the second round of public consultation meetings. Results: The public at the second round meetings was far more supportive of the project, and media coverage became more positive. Opponents of the project lost credibility and influence with the public. The lifting operation went off without a hitch, with positive media coverage.

• Building Consensus on the NPRI

Situation: Environment Canada needed the support of industry, provincial government and environmental groups if it was to successfully implement the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI). These groups were, for various reasons, suspicious of the departments motives. They were also in conflict with each other on other issues. Intervention: We designed a consultation process that combined a multi-stakeholder advisory committee (MSAC) to design the NPRI with an outreach and communication across Canada. We facilitated the year-long process, including 5 full MSAC meetings, 17 work group meetings and 7 information sessions across Canada. We also wrote the final report on the design of the program that was approved by the MSAC. Results: The MSAC reached consensus on all the key issues in the design of the NPRI. The Environment Minister accepted their report without changes. The program was implemented without problems and continues to be well accepted by all stakeholders.

When I was chairman of the strategic planning committee of the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute, Raymond Vles provided significant assistance in getting the association to buy-in to the changes we were proposing. He helped us clarify our thinking and provided valuable advice in building a consensus for improved strategic planning Richard Dupuis, Director Ottawa, Imperial Oil

Thanks to the help of Vles and Associates, we were able to reach consensus within city council on an intercultural relations policy for the City of Saint-Laurent. The policy won the 2001 Award of Excellence from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Pierre Lambert, municipal councillor, City of Saint-Laurent

Raymond Vles has added value to CPPI by

• Assistance with stream of thought... his

ability to maintain a strategic and broad focus.

• His ability to make sense out of conversations

and put them down in words.

• His ability to suggest and assist in

developing process to move the tasks forward.

• His insight into peoples' behaviour and what

presentations, research and support materials are necessary to capture interests and get the story right.

• Being helpful as a facilitator... all the

required skills.

• Being good at detail and capturing what steps

need to be taken.

• Being able to take on a project, with usually

little direction from us, and make it happen. Bill Simpkins, Vice President, Canadian Petroleum Products Institute

The facilitation skills of Vles & Associates enabled us to hold a constructive dialogue with stakeholders on complex and controversial issues. Steve McCauley, Director, Oil, Gas and Energy, Environment Canada

Raymond Vles is someone who can facilitate the middle ground very effectively, and with the respect of all players. His assistance has been fundamental to the continued constructive relationship between FPAC and its National Advisory Panel. Kirsten Vice, former Vice-President Environment, Forestry & Technology, Forest Products Association of Canada

541611

R000-Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services, R016-Personal Services Contracts, R019-Other Professional Services, R120-Policy Review/Development Services, R121-Program Evaluation Studies, R122-Program Management/Support Services, R123-Program Review/Development Services, T000-Communications Studies