We do not stop at “big picture” thinking. We provide you with the action plan you need to implement and achieve
your goals;
from a clear and concise strategy, to a list of action items and help to bring them to life.
We can assist your organization in developing the strategic direction needed to reach your long term business objectives and provide a detailed business plan to help make it happen.
Using our industry insights and by researching your market, we will unearth and evaluate business opportunities for your organization. Then, we will provide tactical solutions to capitalize on them.
Be it customers, members of your organization or prospects, Synthesis can conduct an expedient review of your stakeholders, and provide insights that help you move forward with confidence.
With more than 20 years of hands-on experience in agri-food, we know the importance of clear and targeted communications
to deliver positive change and growth. Our commitment to client service and satisfaction is a top priority every step of the way.
Synthesis can help you develop a clear communications strategy and then deliver key messages using an integrated approach from print and PR to digital and social media.
Our network of experienced PR professionals offers services including key message development, news releases, media training and media relations.
Working with our new media partners we can help you communicate through e-marketing, videos, websites, mobile web and applications.
Founder and President
“You just never know where you'll find insight. You really have to search to find the nuggets. Then the key is turning the insight into something that can be implemented.”
As Founder and President of Synthesis, Rob gathers valuable insights and draws upon his deep agri-food knowledge to provide clients with practical approaches and actionable solutions. Rob’s passion for the agri-food sector began while growing up on a large farm operation and has developed into a successful consulting business with local, national and international clients. Rob has real life, practical experience and has a proven track record in providing strategic business advice and communications strategies to his clients. Facilitating strategic planning sessions and consensus building is his specialty.
Throughout his career, Rob has propelled brands into top market share positions; launched an export business that utilized an identity preserved production system to serve food customers in North America and Asia; and led North American marketing efforts for a multinational company. He was also team leader for an award-winning marketing communications agency, and formed its consulting division that would later become the Synthesis Agri-Food Network.
Rob uses his in-depth market and business assessment expertise to solve challenges for clients and assist them with reaching their business goals. Some of his recent work includes conducting a new product market assessment for an Ontario agri-food business; developing a long-term international marketing strategy for a national industry association; assessing the Canadian operations for an international exporter and facilitating several strategic planning sessions for various organizations and companies.
Following 20 years of experience, Rob has cultivated a network of agri-food knowledge and is trusted for his business insights and practical approach. Rob regularly makes presentations and keynote presentations in the agri-food sector.
Account Manager
“Working with people who share your passion for agriculture makes all the difference.”
The family farm gave Heidi her start in the world of agriculture. From there, she went on to the University of Manitoba to earn her Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, specializing in agronomy.
Heidi’s consulting experience has concentrated on issues management and communications in the agribusiness sector. Focus areas include food, seed, crop inputs, animal agriculture and research. She has expertise in developing and delivering communications plans, marketing strategy, corporate identity and communications tools as well as a variety of public relations activities. As well, Heidi has worked on market analysis and customer profiling projects for companies considering entering or expanding in the Canadian agribusiness sector.
Prior to Heidi’s consulting role, she gained a variety of experience in sales and marketing in the seed and crop protection.
Account Manager
“Passionate people with a common goal - makes for incredible results”
A graduate of McGill University, Celia is our French connection at Synthesis and brings with her close to 10 years of experience working in the agriculture sector in various roles. This experience has given her an excellent understanding of current agricultural issues and along with her naturally curious nature, has fed a growing passion for agriculture.
With over 5 years experience specifically in agriculture focused marketing communications / project management roles Celia has managed both French and English communications tactics including media relations, print, radio and online campaigns and, adaptation of messaging for a francophone audience. She has also played key roles in consultation projects where bilingualism is a requirement.
Celia’s work and life experience includes a pharmaceutical background where she earned her Pharmaceutical Accreditation, and various years working different angles of the marketing and communications spectrum. She has definitely found her niche in agriculture and hopes to continue to promote and support farming and its role here and abroad, today and for the future.
Executive Assistant
“Just as farmers nurture their crops and livestock for optimum yields, I take care of the Synthesis team so that we can cultivate the best possible results for our clients.”
Luisa is the heart of Synthesis. With a genuine passion for helping others, she thrives on assisting colleagues, clients and suppliers. Luisa carries out the role of executive assistant with a high level of enthusiasm, dedication and organization. Teammates regard her as the glue that holds the Synthesis office together, and the key to an efficient operation.
Luisa honed her skills through years of experience in a number of administrative, customer service and human resource roles and extensive volunteer involvement. Today, she supports the Synthesis team with an attention to detail that ensures projects are quality assured, on time and on budget.
Highly adept in interpersonal communications, Luisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Guelph.
Strategic Consultant
“Every successful business or organization must have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, and a long term plan to implement that vision. But at the same time, they should be flexible enough to take advantage of unexpected opportunities.”
Peter Hannam is recognized in many circles, but is undoubtedly most prominent in agricultural circles as a leader, visionary, facilitator of partnerships, and of course, a farmer. As an early integrator of research and technology, Peter utilized Woodrill, his farm near Guelph, Ontario to research both machinery and seed technology. He would go on to be a co-founder of the value-added business First Line Seeds, which he successfully managed for twenty years. Many of Peter's past accomplishments have involved aligning complementary businesses for the benefit of Canadian agriculture. These alignments included First Line Seeds with Asgrow Seed Company, the leading soybean breeder, developer, and distributor in the United States. Peter’s vision with First Line Seeds would then culminate in the sale of the company to Monsanto.
With more than forty years of involvement and experience in agriculture, Peter believes that policy development through commodity organizations is important for the foundation of all agriculture business. As the leading force behind the development of the Ontario AgriCentre, he has provided the opportunity for many agricultural organizations to share resources and expertise. Peter has also had first-hand involvement in many organizations, such as serving as President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Chair of the Canadian Soybean Export Association.
Consultant
"How we tell stories and connect with audiences has changed tremendously, but the basics of good communications remain the same – you have to move your audience or they will move on."
Bernard's life and career has been fueled by his passion for agriculture.
While working on his family farm in St. John's, Newfoundland, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University before pursuing a journalism degree from Ryerson University in Toronto.
During his journalism career, which includes a seven-year stint as Managing Editor and Field Editor for Farm and Country magazine, Bernard compiled extensive experience covering a range of agricultural and food issues, including trade and public policy. He has received five Canadian Farm Writer's Federation awards for journalism excellence. Today he continues to contribute to leading farm publications such as Better Farming magazine.
For the past decade, Bernard has specialized in marketing communications, working for two of Canada's leading agricultural communications firms. He provides public relations expertise, including media relations and issues management consultation, on farming, food and agribusiness issues. As Team Lead for AdFarm’s Eastern Canada business in Guelph, Ontario, Bernard's responsibilities included managing the business and providing strategic leadership and direction for a wide range of clients from seed and crop protection to farm retail and animal health.
Consultant
"Business decisions are often made on a combination of a gut feel and an underlying strategy, but in today's complex environment I prefer to make disciplined decisions that benefit from the rigour and objectivity that is brought through the process of quantifying the variables. The result is better decisions and a process that can be quite illuminating for clients who are tackling significant challenges."
Harry is an experienced consultant who brings a unique mix of skills to the Synthesis team. He has two decades of experience owning and operating his own crop and livestock operation combined with twelve years of experience as a management consultant, including seven years with a major international consulting organization.
Harry is a graduate of the University of Guelph where he earned a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. His strategic planning experience includes working with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Food Safety and Programs Branch to develop its strategic plan for traceability in the agriculture and food sectors in Ontario.
Harry has also worked with the four Atlantic provinces to analyze strategic options for combining their crop insurance organizations with joint delivery of the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program.
Other strategic planning and multi-stakeholder facilitation experience includes being a part of the facilitation team for the inaugural Premier's Roundtable on Agriculture and Food; facilitating a series of town hall meetings and writing the strategic plan for the launch of 4-H Ontario; and developing a strategic plan for the restructuring of a major regional nursery chain.
Consultant
“Simple insights can make a big difference for businesses. First, if it cannot be measured, it cannot be improved. Second, breaking out of silos and integrating information across functions and disciplines is essential for businesses to grow. And lastly, in a time of information overload, filtering and prioritizing information is essential.”
James is a management consultant with 30 years of experience working in the Ontario food and beverage processing industry in both the private and public sectors. His consulting practice - Jayeff Partners - is dedicated to providing strategic business solutions. He works with many agri-food organizations and food processors on collaborative projects that contribute to a stronger agri-food sector in Ontario, and has teamed up with Synthesis (the lead contractor) to work together to deliver an initiative of the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors.
A Certified General Accountant and former CFO of an entrepreneurial, family-owned food processing business, he has experienced first-hand the excitement and challenges of business growth and technological innovation. James supported the company’s 20-fold growth over a ten-year period and its expansion from a regional to national player.
For five years, he progressed through senior positions with the Food Industry Competitiveness Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. As Manager of the Client Account Unit, James set up a comprehensive corporate call program through which government identified and supported the needs of Ontario firms to attract investment and export product mandates. As Director of the Branch, James contributed to a strategic review with industry partners of government’s priorities for the food industry, reorganizing the branch to enhance investment, job retention and export development.
James maintains an extensive network of contacts throughout Ontario’s agri-food sector that provide him with management insights and fresh business strategy perspectives. He is committed to and passionate about seeing Ontario farmers and food processors thrive in the global economy.
Consulting Project Coordinator
"Consulting is exciting and challenging work, but when your team has varied experiences, diverse backgrounds and different perspectives, challenges become opportunities."
From research and insights to recommendations and conclusions –Maureen is involved every step of the way. A project coordinator with strong analytical and organization skills, she provides Synthesis consulting clients with top-notch research, writing and customer service.
Maureen is at home in an agriculture and food-focused organization; her past work experience includes turns as research associate for Ontario Food Exports at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and as food safety consultant for another agri-food sector consulting firm.
Maureen is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with an honours degree in Business Administration and is currently working towards a Certified Human Resources Professional designation from Conestoga College. She also is an active volunteer in her community, helping to raise funds for various charities.
Synthesis Agri-Food Network partners with a wide range of services providers
so that we meet all your consulting and communications needs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 <
|
In today's complicated global marketplace, we are constantly faced with a new barrage of issues and trends. All of them are significant somehow, somewhere and to someone. But how important are they to agriculture and what do they mean to those of us in the business of food and farming?
Sign up for Synthesis Agri-Food Insights and we can help you make sense of the top agri-business developments by connecting the dots between current news and what it will mean to you, to your business and to your customers. Watch for it in your inbox regularly and let the team at Synthesis Agri-Food Network help you understand agriculture's challenges and opportunities by analyzing the issues and sharing their insights. Please view our Archived Newsletters.
Synthesis Network Ltd.
Ontario AgriCentre, Suite 109
100 Stone Road West
Guelph, ON
N1G 5L3
Phone 519-822-7272
info@synthesis-network.com
