Our
Services

We’ll help you make your next big plan a success.

Whether you are a business, industry association, economic development group or university, we can help you with your growth initiative.

Our services are designed to support the growth of new and existing business enterprises, new sector clusters and strategic economic initiatives.

Each service includes research, analysis, strategy, representation and execution support so that you have access to all of the tools and resources needed to make evidence-based decisions and take your project over the finish line – getting you tangible results faster.

 

“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” – Winston Churchill

Are you validating a concept but do not know where to begin? Is your business focused in the right areas and the right markets? We can help.

You have a limited amount of time, money and human resources . If you use those resources on a specific area of focus, you will make more of an impact than if you apply them to many different areas. We build strategies that will help to focus your efforts and position you to get results. We’ll hone in on the right opportunities, messaging, and tactical solutions so you can maximize your outcomes. 

Having a good strategy allows you to say no – even to the good ideas – ideas that may lead you away from your overall goal. 

We’ll help you focus and develop strategies in the following areas:

  • Feasibility review and analysis
  • Opportunity analysis
  • Marketing and business development
  • Short- and long-term strategic planning
  • Government relations
  • Focus and positioning statements
  • Value proposition development
  • Market validation
  • Competitor analysis

This suite of services is designed for start-up ventures, SMEs, industry associations, community organizations, and academia.

Does your community have unique sector strengths and capabilities that have the potential for national and international leadership? We can help.

Sector strengths and capabilities have the potential for the creation of focused clusters that can drive economic prosperity. Clusters are groups of interconnected businesses and institutions in close proximity that benefit from their mutual connections. Clusters stimulate innovation and new business formation in a key industry sector.

 

 

 

Stiletto supports the growth of clusters and niche sectors because we understand the impact their success has on the national economy.

This suite of services is designed for regional and national industry associations, and all levels of government.

We support cluster growth through:

  • Reviews of sector ecosystems
  • Stakeholder consultations
  • Ecosystem mapping
  • Gap analysis
  • Opportunity identification
  • Strategy, execution and implementation assistance

Are you ready to enter a new market, but do not know where to begin? We can help.

Exporting is a key driver of Canada’s economic growth and provides companies with a strategic way to expand their markets beyond the borders of Canada’s relatively small domestic market. While Canadian companies struggle to grow in our tepid domestic economy, the weak Canadian dollar is giving the advantage to export-oriented firms. According to HSBC, just 10% of Canadian companies are selling abroad and a mere 550 companies account for 70% of Canadian goods exports.

An export plan is an extension of your business plan. It allows you to evaluate the potential benefits and risks for your company and details the approach to achieve your international sales objectives. Capturing this information in a logical plan can provide you with credibility when dealing with lenders.

 

We have worked extensively in international markets, particularly the United States, Europe, Brazil and China and we have considerable experience with domestic federal and provincial programs for both investment and trade opportunities. We’ll support your enterprise through one or a combination of the following services:

  • Market research
  • Trend analysis
  • Competitor profiling
  • Competitor positioning
  • Corporate position
  • Target market analysis
  • Export market strategy
  • National and international business development

This suite of services is designed to help SMEs companies get to market or expand their domestic and international presence. It is also designed for economic development organizations, provincial governments and industry associations to mobilize foreign direct investment strategies.

Are you wasting hours writing proposals that are not resulting in sales? Are you unsure how to navigate government programs? We can help.

Proposal and grant writing is time consuming and requires specialized expertise. Experience in writing grant applications and proposals has been proven to increase the odds of success.

Stiletto will help you clarify your message and find the right projects and programs to pursue.  We’ll show you how to maximize your output and minimize your investments of time and money.

 

This service is designed for industry associations, startup ventures, and SMEs.

We’ll support you through:

  • Reviews of your existing materials
  • Guidance and/or preparation of presentations
  • Coaching on “perfecting your pitch”
  • Strategic reviews of appropriate grants for your organization
  • Undertaking government relations on your behalf – helping to shepherd your proposals through the government approval process to ensure the right information is presented to the right audience.

Our
Case Studies

Our
Team

We will tailor our team of professionals to your specific needs and project demands. Our associates are experts in their field, from seasoned consultants to up and coming talent. We have a passion for our work – and we deliver.

Laura has 25 years’ experience in leading change, generating results, marketing products and services, lobbying, building relationships, and successfully negotiating new business opportunities and contracts. A trained facilitator and an MBA candidate, she brings a wealth of knowledge in export markets and has helped companies of all industries in expanding to new markets. An award-winning business person, Laura has a passion for merging traditional industries with high-tech solutions and creating clusters of innovation.
Connect with Laura on LinkedIn.

Laura O’Blenis

President & CEO
Sonya provides Stiletto with expertise in corporate strategy, marketing and communications, business planning, program launch and positioning. She is the founder of Sonya Shorey Consulting and has extensive experience in communications, branding, and change management strategies; government relationships; and successful proposals and funding applications for national tech and innovation players.
Connect with Sonya on LinkedIn.

Sonya Shorey

Senior Communications Strategist
Austin has over 30 years’ experience associated with research and technology parks and developing successful communities of innovation. He specializes in governance modelling and launching of new organizational structures. Having served in leadership roles with Innovation Place, AURP Canada, and AURP International, he has been recognized by the International Association of Science Parks as a research park expert. Austin is a trained facilitator of the Pacific Institute’s Investment in Excellence program and a co-founder of TALM Services.
Connect with Austin on LinkedIn.

Austin Beggs

Research and Technology Park Strategist
David has more than 25 years’ experience as a consultant and working with industry, not-for-profit organizations and governments across Canada. His focus areas include economic development strategic plans, economic impact analysis, immigration strategy, demographic profiling, sector development and investment attraction. David was named by Progress Magazine as one of the foremost economic development thinkers in Atlantic Canada. David holds a Master’s of Business Administration and has completed additional education from Harvard University and the University of Waterloo.
Connect with David on LinkedIn.
   

David Campbell, MBA

Chief Economist
Lynda is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and President and CEO of Aperture Capital Consulting, a New Brunswick-based consulting firm. Her specialties include corporate governance, administration of corporate finance projects, raising capital, business modelling, and financial analysis. Lynda excels in developing and providing interim financial management solutions.
Connect with Lynda on LinkedIn.

Lynda Savoie, CPA

Chief Financial Analyst
Ariella specializes in strategic design, development, planning, and execution support for high-impact initiatives, institutions, and products. She works at the nexus of academia, industry, government, economic development and communities, in both traditional and emerging industries. Ariella completed her post-doctoral research at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, a Master of Science from the Weizmann Institute of Science, and a Bachelor of Science from Bar-Ilan University in Israel.
Connect with Ariella on LinkedIn.

Ariella Lukach, PhD

Vice President Strategy & Positioning
Sarah has nearly 10 years of experience conducting market research and strategic planning. She specializes in optimizing operating capabilities to design and implementing business strategies and improving processes. Sarah has proven success in helping governmental departments, associations, and businesses think of the big picture in an ecosystem’s perspective. Sarah holds a Master’s of Environment, specializing in climate change, from the University of Melbourne and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from Queen’s University.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.

Sarah Sloan, MA

Chief Operating Officer
Patricia is an information professional with more than 30 years’ experience, specializing in customized business research, data insights, knowledge management, strategic planning, adult education and marketing communications. She has extensive experience in the provision of competitive intelligence reports, environmental scans, demographic analyses, and more. Patricia holds a Master’s of Information Studies (Library Science) from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s of Education (Distance Education) from Athabasca University.
Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn.

Patricia Presti, MLS, MED

Chief Information Services & Lead Researcher
David is an independent consultant based in Silicon Valley with a focus on regional economic development and higher education initiatives. With a mission of advancing Canadian engagement and interest in Silicon Valley, he has an extensive network that includes Canada Moose Lounge, Expansion Quebec, and senior government and academic partners. David holds a Bachelor of Arts (History) and an LLB from McGill University, and a Master’s of Arts (Intercultural Relations) from Lesley University. He is a member of the Bar in Ontario and Massachusetts.

David Stewart, LLB

In-Market Representative, Silicon Valley, USA
David has over 20 years’ experience in management and consulting, including business strategy, conceptualization and development of new solutions, business casing, feasibility analysis, planning and implementation. He is an entrepreneurial leader with a diverse range of experience across several vertical industries including finance, government, communications, healthcare, and technology. David has a strong track record for delivering successful projects to clients that achieve their goals and position them well for the future.
Connect with David on LinkedIn.

David Randall

Strategic Collaborator
Gregory has over 25 years’ experience in real estate, strategy, planning, design, brokerage, and development. For over a decade, he managed various aspects of the real estate portfolio for the Purdue Research Foundation and oversaw the development of multiple park expansions and facility types. He is a Landscape Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional specializing in Building Design and Construction. Gregory holds an Executive Master’s of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, both from Purdue University.
Connect with Gregory on LinkedIn.

Greg Napier, MBA, RLA

Strategic Advisor
Katie has more than 12 years’ experience in leading strategic market research projects. With a focus on understanding end-user needs and experiences, she is skilled in market analysis, qualitative interviews, and online survey research. She has worked extensively with Fortune 500 companies, using data to build their marketing and communication plans. Katie holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing Management) from the University of Guelph.
Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.

Katie Mundell, B. Comm

Senior Project Manager
Samantha excels at market positioning, primary research, complex analysis, and interpersonal communications. She has experience conducting outreach and interviews with companies and organizations and has a diverse understanding of what makes a business thrive. Samantha holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors in Marketing and Concentration in Accounting) from the University of New Brunswick. She is also a JD Candidate at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.
Connect with Samantha on LinkedIn.

Samantha Gray, JD Candidate

Project Manager
Sydney specializes in marketing material preparation and positioning, programming development, and business analysis. During her studies, she worked as a consultant for start-up companies in Atlantic Canada to help them develop their business ideas and create strategies for growth. She also has experience as a support for secondary and primary research (including focus groups and interviews). Sydney holds a Master’s of Business Administration (Concentration in Entrepreneurship) and a Bachelor of Science (Medicinal Chemistry), both from the University of New Brunswick.
Connect with Sydney on LinkedIn.

Sydney McAdam, MBA

Marketing & Communications Manager
Jenna specializes in conducting primary and secondary research, collecting and analyzing data to assist clients in providing evidence-based recommendations. She takes a leadership role in select projects ensuring coordination across multiple channels until a project’s completion. Jenna holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors in Marketing) from the University of New Brunswick and is an MBA Candidate at the Faculty of Business at the University of New Brunswick.
Connect with Jenna on LinkedIn.

Jenna Evans, MBA Candidate

Project Manager
Rachel specializes in funding applications for clean technology, cybersecurity, agri-technology, and advanced manufacturing organizations and projects. She has previously worked with the Federal Government, providing procedural guidance for the grant review process at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Rachel holds a Master’s of Engineering Physics from McMaster University, and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.

Rachel Savidge, MSE

Program Coordinator
Joshua has over 10 years of teaching and research experience at the post-secondary level. He specializes in high-level research, data analysis, and effective, concise messaging and communication. He conducts broad-based research and writing services with an expertise in health, cleantech, food and beverage, among other sectors and topics. Joshua holds a Master’s of Arts (English Literature) from Carleton University.
Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

Joshua Prescott, MA

Senior Researcher
Cailee specializes in managing project files, reviewing, analyzing, and synthesizing data. She has managed, conducted research and completed data analysis to contribute to team efforts in making evidence-based recommendations to clients. Cailee holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Economics and Finance) from the University of New Brunswick.
Connect with Cailee on LinkedIn.

Cailee Mousek, BBA

Business Analyst
View All Associates

Our
Clients

We have worked with over 100 companies and closed more than $350 million in grants, new revenue and deals since 2010.

Here are some examples of the great organizations we’ve had the pleasure of working with.

Make a Point
Stiletto

Get the guidance and tools you need to confidently move forward.  

You’re faced with a big opportunity, but you may lack the resources, expertise, or capacity to seize it and make the most of it. Other consulting firms don’t offer the specific expertise you need to get the results you desire.

That’s where we come in. Our expert team operates where science and technology meet business opportunity on the national and international stages. We use evidence-based research and strategy to identify new markets, validate concepts and fine tune value propositions so you can make the best-informed decisions for your organization.

We’ll help you focus your business, position your offering and bring clarity to your message in order to captivate investors, clients and partners.

Specializing in knowledge industries, commercialization, technology transfer and innovation, we bring a team of professionals to the table as problem solvers to help you dig deeper into complex issues and industries.

With Stiletto, you get a partner that is invested in your success. We go beyond delivering plans and materials, giving you personal guidance and advice on how to confidently move forward. We keep engaged with our clients even after the project is complete to ensure that they have what they need to continue the momentum.