ForwardThinking June/July 2017 Grant Thornton

ForwardThinking
Insights to help solve today’s most pressing
business issues and tackle tomorrow’s challenges
JUNE/JULY 2017

About ForwardThinking
Today’s global business environment is marked
by mounting regulatory requirements, profound
technology changes, and a complex and competitive
marketplace. We seek to bring high-quality service
to our clients and relevant insights on the issues
affecting their businesses.
ForwardThinking is a look ahead at the latest
knowledge and insights available from Grant Thornton
LLP for our clients. It includes a collection of our
research, thought leadership and a schedule of
upcoming webcasts and events.
The distinctive perspectives and featured events in
ForwardThinking aim to help our clients navigate
the opportunities, risks and challenges affecting
their businesses.

The future of growth and
industry series: Reigniting
business growth
See how successful business leaders are embracing change to
conquer the future. We surveyed more than 1,000 executives to
see how they’re preparing their firms to strive and succeed. Some
companies — the leaders — are taking decisive steps to set
themselves apart from the rest of the pack. Find out how they’re
embracing change to grow their competitive advantage.
The Future of Growth and Industry Report
This report outlines challenges facing various industries as they
look toward 2020. The insights provided include recent research
findings and ideas to prepare your business for the future.
Future of Growth and Industry Report Video
Watch The Future of Growth and Industry video and learn more
about our findings.
The Future of Growth and Industry Infographic
Download our infographic to see what the most successful
leaders are doing to set themselves apart.
The Future of Growth and the Technology Industry
Technology is expanding exponentially, but technology leaders
are recognizing they are meeting a limit — human ability to
process and adapt to the changes. When the pace of change
moves from exciting to disorienting — what are the consequences?
The Future of Growth and the Technology Industry explores the
disruptive forces challenging industry norms.
Thought leadership
The Future of Growth and the Life Sciences Industry
Effectively harnessing data insights across the health care
ecosystem (including health care providers, payors, regulators
and, most importantly, the patients themselves) will provide the
critical edge to demonstrate value and drive innovation. The
Future of Growth and the Life Sciences Industry explores the
disruptive forces challenging industry norms.
The Future of Growth and the Banking Industry
Banks realize that their business model must change. The biggest
question is whether that change will be incremental or total.
Regulators, new competitors, and most importantly, customers will
dictate the level of change. The Future of Growth and the Banking
Industry explores the disruptive forces challenging industry norms.
Featured industries
The Future of Growth and Industry research dug deep and
analyzed eight key industries. View or subscribe to receive more
content specific to the future of your industry.
Reignite Growth in Asset Management
Reignite Growth in Banking
Reignite Growth in Exploration and Production
Reignite Growth in Life Sciences
Reignite Growth in Manufacturing
Reignite Growth in Private Equity
Reignite Growth in Real Estate
Reignite Growth in Technology

The Future of Growth in the Asset Management Industry:
Hedge Funds Rewrite the Solution for Success
As compressed fees reshape the industry, hedge funds will
have to decide how to fit into the consolidation story. Hedge
funds that thrive in the new era will have to offer hybrid models
that combine the best of traditional and alternative investment
management. The Future of Growth and the Asset Management
Industry explores the disruptive forces challenging industry
norms, with a special focus on hedge funds.
The Future of Growth and the Manufacturing Industry
The political landscape is increasingly volatile, new technologies
from robotics to artificial intelligence are reinventing production
and products, and cyberthreats are on the rise. The Future of
Growth and the Manufacturing Industry explores the disruptive
forces challenging industry norms.
The Future of Growth and the Manufacturing
Industry Infographic
June 2017
Check out our graphical depiction of key themes published in
The Future of Growth and the Manufacturing Industry report.
The Future of Growth and the Exploration and
Production Industry
June 2017
Tomorrow’s winning companies will be those that take bold
action to exploit smart technologies, find new talent, and
continue to refine their efficiency and balance sheets. Positive
collaboration with a more business-friendly government will
help shape a positive, less volatile future. The Future of Growth
and the Exploration and Production Industry explores disruptive
The Future of Growth and the Real Estate Industry
June 2017
At its heart, the real estate ecosystem allocates capital from investors
to the long-term and shifting needs of tenants. Increasingly, the
connections are between global investors and global tenants. Will the
influx of investment be allocated wisely? Or, will an increasingly global
industry exacerbate the cycles of boom and bust? The Future of Growth
and the Real Estate Industry explores the disruptive forces challenging
industry norms.
The Future of Growth and the Private Equity Industry
June 2017
As the competition intensifies, private equity (PE) firms move to make
value creation part of their business model. PE's influence expands into
areas traditionally controlled by governments, such as infrastructure. The
Future of Growth and the Private Equity Industry explores the disruptive
Elevate Business Value by Strengthening Customer Relationships
Video
The No. 1 value-creation goal for business today, according to 1,000
senior leaders, is building stronger customer relationships. See how your
business benefits from delighting your customers. Shift the focus from
basic customer segmentation to relevant personalization and interaction.
TransformYourBusinessThroughthePowerofTechnologyVideo
In transforming business, one of the top priorities is cost-reduction. In
order to reduce cost, leaders are improving process efficiency through
automation. Connected data and advanced analytics are moving
business beyond tactical cost reduction, extracting the extraordinary
economic power of information. See how exploiting innovative
technologies, mastering advanced data analytics and investing in a new
and different workforce will transform your business.

Capture the Value and Positive Returns of Calculated
Risk-Taking Video
As far as growth-focused business leaders are concerned,
return on risk is a critical component of an innovative strategic
program. The majority of 1,000 senior leaders surveyed see
balancing opportunity and the right risks as highly desirable for
creating and protecting value. See how the trajectory of your
business can be changed by taking advantage of opportunities
presented by calculated risks.
Choose to Move With the Momentum of Change and
Innovation Video
In ways unimaginable just a few years ago, technology has
blown up business truisms and replaced them with radically
different methods and models. Organizations that ignore change
will be swept aside; the victors will be those that embrace
change and run with it. See how finding excitement in change
and encouraging innovation can lead to value creation and to
distinguishing your organization from the competition.
Use Today’s Insights to Position Your Organization for
Tomorrow Video
The future comes quickly these days. Keeping informed and
relevant is crucial to decisions that position an organization
for tomorrow’s success. See how reimaging, reinventing and
reshaping your business will empower it to adapt and grow, and
meet the challenges of an always uncertain future.
Webcasts
June 5, 2017
U.S. life sciences companies are contending with a range of
internal and external factors, including new technologies to
target therapies and regulatory changes from the 21st Century
Cures Act. During this webcast, presenters will draw from
insights derived from our recent study, which examines how
organizations are responding to today’s disruptions in the market
environment, looking at three levers of value:
• Create value — M&A to innovating products and services
• Transform value — cost control to driving new levels of
effectiveness and efficiency
• Protect value — regulatory compliance to protecting brand
and other intangible components of value
The Future of Growth and the Asset Management Industry
June 7, 2017
Disruptive forces are challenging norms in the asset management
industry. Hedge fund companies cannot control the forces of
change, but they have several levers to influence organizational
value. Discover future trends and business issues affecting the
future of the hedge fund industry. This webcast will explore the
value levers hedge fund companies can activate today to prepare
for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

June 8, 2017
Disruptive forces are challenging norms in the banking industry.
Banks cannot control the forces of change, but they have several
levers to influence, create, protect and transform organizational
value. In this webcast, discover future trends and business issues
affecting the future of the banking industry.
July 12, 2017
U.S. real estate companies are contending with a range of
internal and external factors. During this webcast, presenters
will draw from insights derived from our recent study, which
examines how organizations are responding to today’s
disruptions in the market environment.
July 13, 2017
Private equity firms dedicate significant resources to
noninvestment-related tasks such as regulatory reporting,
increased investor reporting and guarding against cyberthreats.
As CEOs have answered these challenges, they put processes
and resources in place to allow them to deal with tomorrow’s
challenges. This webcast explores the levers of growth and the
evolving challenges private equity firms must address.
Production Industry
July 20, 2017
U.S. exploration and production companies are contending with
a range of internal and external factors. During this webcast,
presenters will draw from insights derived from our recent study,
which examines how organizations are responding to today’s
The Future of Growth and Industries: Trends to Watch for 2020
Replay this webcast that examines two major disruptors
affecting many industries as we look forward to the next three to
five years: a trend toward populism and the impact of continuing
technology innovation. Learn more about how these disruptors
might affect your future vision.
Manufacturing Success: Build, Transform and Protect
Value Into 2020
Replay this webcast to learn about the disruptive forces
challenging norms in the manufacturing industry, and what
manufacturing executives are doing about them.
Replay this webcast to explore the value levers technology
companies can activate today to prepare for the challenges and
opportunities of tomorrow.

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Culture and talent
Transforming an organization’s culture at strategic moments,
whether during an integration or implementation of a new
long-term strategy or to simply stay competitive, can challenge
even the most progressive organizations. Sustaining a strong
culture requires work from everyone, but especially from senior
leadership. By modeling and reinforcing the best possible
behavior, employees will be better prepared to navigate
uncertainty and support their organization’s mission.
Thought leadership
How Does Your Executive Compensation Program Stack Up
Against the Russell 2000?
Take a reality check of the marketplace with the findings of
our proxy survey of the most recent data reported for
Russell 2000 executives.
Tying Benefits and Compensation to Organizational Culture
More and more companies are using cultural fit as a key factor
in the employee selection and hiring process. One recent survey
found that more than 80% of employers worldwide named cultural
fit as a top hiring priority. Organizations that do not embrace their
culture and integrate it into their business practices may eventually
experience a diluted or inconsistent message — both to employees
and to their business partners, clients and customers.
United States Trails Much of World With Representation of
Women In Business Leadership
A new report from Grant Thornton reveals the United States
continues to lag much of the world when it comes to the proportion
of women in senior business roles. Read the results of our annual
survey of 5,500 businesses in 36 economies.
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans: Applying the
Rules to Real-World Scenarios
July 19, 2017
Nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements maintained
by not-for-profit entities are subject to special tax rules. This
webcast will focus on how to apply the rules to a series of complex
situations, including certain types of arrangements, such as
severance arrangements and bonus plans. We will also address
complex issues such as the impact of payment timing on taxes.
Executives: What to Know About Your Compensation If
Your Company is Sold
July 20, 2017
This webcast will inform executives about how their
compensation will be affected when their company is sold,
including the tax impact and timing of payments under current
compensation arrangements. This session will also discuss
planning for after the transaction, including severance plans and
negotiating new employment agreements with the buyer.
Webcasts
Tax newsletter subscription
Human Capital Bulletin Newsletter
Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter addressing recent legislative,
regulatory and statutory compensation and benefits issues and
other human capital matters.

Growth and value creation
Ninety percent of companies grow for one year, but only 8%
can do it five years in a row. Why? Because sustained growth
means new markets, new processes, new regulatory issues, and
new ways of operating, all of which may introduce risk and
delay success. For dynamic organizations to fully achieve their
objectives, financial measures and process efficiencies, new
ways of working and stakeholder relationships must grow.
Thought leadership
Imperatives for Today’s Retailers: Innovate, Invest and Evolve
The retail industry operates in a dynamic environment that is
constantly changing. Read about how retailers that continue to
innovate, invest and evolve their businesses and operations will be
successful over the long term.
Transformation Initiatives: Navigating the Voyage to Success
Transformation initiatives are voyages fraught with uncertainty but
also full of excitement for the opportunities and discoveries that lie
ahead. Read about critical actions you can take to stay on course,
minimize team-related risks and keep your transformation journey
from running aground.
Five Tips to Create a Cash Culture
A cash culture frees up funds for your organization’s investment and
growth. Fastest-growing companies — those with revenue growth
of 10% or more — have proven that managing working capital can
yield significant cash for important needs. View this infographic to
learn more.
Not-for-profit and higher
education subscription
Insights for Not-for-Profit Organizations and Higher
Education Institutions
Subscribe to receive first access to our annual State of the Not-for-
Profit Sector and State of Higher Education reports, articles, alerts,
and webcasts and other events. We are committed to helping
you stay up-to-date on current and emerging industry trends,
developments and best practices.
The Future of Growth and Industry
The Future of Growth and Industry research dug deep and
analyzed eight key industries. View or subscribe to receive more
content specific to the future of your industry.
Reignite Growth in Asset Management
Reignite Growth in Banking
Reignite Growth in Exploration and Production
Reignite Growth in Life Sciences
Reignite Growth in Manufacturing
Reignite Growth in Private Equity
Reignite Growth in Real Estate
Reignite Growth in Technology

The Best Defense Is Always a Strong Offense: Positioning for
Change in the Asset Management Industry
In this article, we present our insights and recommendations in three
areas: regulatory concerns, tax-related issues and fundamental
changes in the asset management business model. Read about
these insights and more in our latest report.
Building a Future in a Shifting Insurers Market
Insurance businesses normally operate with a 30-year outlook,
so a change to this industry is rarely spectacular or sudden. But
there is no doubt that important shifts are underway. Disruptive
trends are reshaping the industry. Learn about these three
strongest drivers: customer expectations, pace of innovation,
and start-ups/new entrants.
On the Precipice? Navigating a Paradigm Shift in the
Insurance Industry
Insurance is entering a dynamic period. The changes occurring will
redefine “insurance” as we know it, with the potential to upend the
industry. Paradigm-shifting forces are coming from all directions
and insurers must embrace the change in order to prosper — and
even to survive. A number of disruptors are driving industry change,
including: fundamental shifts driven by evolving customer demands,
deeper insights driving smarter decisions, return on equity driven
by artificial intelligence and robotic process automation, and new
forms of regulatory pressure. Explore the disruptive forces and gain
insight into how to navigate the shift in the insurance industry.
Creating a Framework for Innovation in Your Supply Chain
Grant Thornton's supply chain survey reveals that domestic
manufacturers are upbeat about their future, buoyed by a healthy
economy and the pro-business leanings of a Republican president
and Congress. Read more.
Private Equity Firms Strive to Build Value Creation Models
That Work for Them
Private equity firms of all sizes are building value-creation models
at a time when it’s harder to generate the outsized returns limited
partner investors have come to expect. In this article, Grant Thornton
talks to executives at a variety of firms to hear what works for them
and why. We also offer our own perspective on how middle markets
are responding to pressure to maximize returns.
Sustainability in the Public Sector
Sustainability is an emerging priority. Government agencies must
understand how to capture data and manage the impact, while
facing the reality of limited budgets and resources. In this article,
we discuss impacts on public sector entities, examine predominant
reporting and management regimes, and identify best practices for
applying those frameworks.
Funding for Future Success
For real estate investors, the U.S. plays a leading role on the world
stage. They are attracted by several factors. This article discusses:
• Sound real estate fundamentals
• The buoyant economy
• Appealing investment opportunities across sectors and markets
Discover why yield-hungry investors are flocking to real estate and
looking for new opportunities.

Middle Market Q1 2017: The Time to Invest in the Future Is Now
This quarterly report and content series gauges the sentiment of
middle-market organizations. Learn More.
Business Optimism Erupts With Double-Digit Growth in The
United States, Finds Global Business Survey
Business optimism in the United States has surged to a record
high of 80%, according to Grant Thornton's latest mid-market
business survey. This jump in optimism among mid-market
decision-makers bodes well for the overall economy, as the
segment often acts as the engine room for broader economic
growth. Read more about our findings.
The Future of Growth and Industry Report
This report outlines challenges facing various industries as they look
toward 2020. The insights provided include recent research findings
and ideas to prepare your business for the future.
Future of Growth and Industry Report Video
Watch The Future of Growth and Industry video and learn more
about our findings.
The Future of Growth and Industry Infographic
Download our infographic to see what the most successful leaders
are doing to set themselves apart.
Technology is expanding exponentially, but technology leaders are
recognizing they are meeting a limit — human ability to process
and adapt to the changes. When the pace of change moves from
exciting to disorienting — what are the consequences? The Future
of Growth and the Technology Industry explores the disruptive
Effectively harnessing data insights across the health care
ecosystem (including health care providers, payors, regulators and,
most importantly, the patients themselves) will provide the critical
edge to demonstrate value and drive innovation. The Future of
Growth and the Life Sciences Industry explores the disruptive forces
challenging industry norms.
Banks realize that their business model must change. The biggest
question is whether that change will be incremental or total.
Regulators, new competitors, and most importantly, customers will
dictate the level of change. The Future of Growth and the Banking
Industry explores the disruptive forces challenging industry norms.
The Future of Growth in the Asset Management Industry:
Hedge Funds Rewrite the Solution for Success
As compressed fees reshape the industry, hedge funds will have
to decide how to fit into the consolidation story. Hedge funds that
thrive in the new era will have to offer hybrid models that combine
the best of traditional and alternative investment management. The
Future of Growth and the Asset Management Industry explores the
disruptive forces challenging industry norms, with a special focus on
hedge funds.
The political landscape is increasingly volatile, new technologies
from robotics to artificial intelligence are reinventing production and
products, and cyberthreats are on the rise. The Future of Growth
and the Manufacturing Industry explores the disruptive forces
challenging industry norms.
Infographic
June 2017
Check out our graphical depiction of key themes published in The
Future of Growth and the Manufacturing Industry report.

June 2017
As the competition intensifies, private equity (PE) firms move to
make value creation part of their business model. PE's influence
expands into areas traditionally controlled by governments, such as
infrastructure. The Future of Growth and the Private Equity Industry
explores the disruptive forces challenging industry norms.
Production Industry
June 2017
Tomorrow’s winning companies will be those that take bold
action to exploit smart technologies, find new talent, and
continue to refine their efficiency and balance sheets. Positive
collaboration with a more business-friendly government will
help shape a positive, less volatile future. The Future of Growth
and the Exploration and Production Industry explores disruptive
June 2017
At its heart, the real estate ecosystem allocates capital from
investors to the long-term and shifting needs of tenants.
Increasingly, the connections are between global investors and
global tenants. Will the influx of investment be allocated wisely?
Or, will an increasingly global industry exacerbate the cycles of
boom and bust? The Future of Growth and the Real Estate Industry
explores the disruptive forces challenging industry norms.
Elevate Business Value by Strengthening Customer
Relationships Video
The No. 1 value-creation goal for business today, according to 1,000
senior leaders, is building stronger customer relationships. See how
your business benefits from delighting your customers. Shift the
focus from basic customer segmentation to relevant personalization
and interaction.
In transforming business, one of the top priorities is cost-
reduction. In order to reduce cost, leaders are improving process
efficiency through automation. Connected data and advanced
analytics are moving business beyond tactical cost reduction,
extracting the extraordinary economic power of information. See
how exploiting innovative technologies, mastering advanced
data analytics and investing in a new and different workforce will
transform your business.
Risk-Taking Video
As far as growth-focused business leaders are concerned, return on
risk is a critical component of an innovative strategic program. The
majority of 1,000 senior leaders surveyed see balancing opportunity
and the right risks as highly desirable for creating and protecting
value. See how the trajectory of your business can be changed by
taking advantage of opportunities presented by calculated risks.
Choose to Move With the Momentum of Change and
Innovation Video
In ways unimaginable just a few years ago, technology has blown
up business truisms and replaced them with radically different
methods and models. Organizations that ignore change will be
swept aside; the victors will be those that embrace change and
run with it. See how finding excitement in change and encouraging
innovation can lead to value creation and to distinguishing your
organization from the competition.
Use Today’s Insights to Position Your Organization for
Tomorrow Video
The future comes quickly these days. Keeping informed and
relevant is crucial to decisions that position an organization for
tomorrow’s success. See how reimaging, reinventing and reshaping
your business will empower it to adapt and grow, and meet the
challenges of an always uncertain future.

Webcasts
June 5, 2017
U.S. life sciences companies are contending with a range of internal
and external factors, including new technologies to target therapies
and regulatory changes from the 21st Century Cures Act. During
this webcast, presenters will draw from insights derived from our
recent study, which examines how organizations are responding
to today’s disruptions in the market environment, looking at three
levers of value:
• Create value — M&A to innovating products and services
• Transform value — cost control to driving new levels of
effectiveness and efficiency
• Protect value — regulatory compliance to protecting brand
and other intangible components of value
The Future of Growth and the Asset Management Industry
June 7, 2017
Disruptive forces are challenging norms in the asset management
industry. Hedge fund companies cannot control the forces of
change, but they have several levers to influence organizational
value. Discover future trends and business issues affecting the
future of the hedge fund industry. This webcast will explore the value
levers hedge fund companies can activate today to prepare for the
challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
June 8, 2017
Disruptive forces are challenging norms in the banking industry.
Banks cannot control the forces of change, but they have several
levers to influence, create, protect and transform organizational
value. In this webcast, discover future trends and business issues
affecting the future of the banking industry.
July 12, 2017
U.S. real estate companies are contending with a range of
internal and external factors. During this webcast, presenters
will draw from insights derived from our recent study, which
examines how organizations are responding to today’s
July 13, 2017
Private equity firms dedicate significant resources to noninvestment-
related tasks such as regulatory reporting, increased investor
reporting and guarding against cyberthreats. As CEOs have
answered these challenges, they put processes and resources
in place to allow them to deal with tomorrow’s challenges. This
webcast explores the levers of growth and the evolving challenges
private equity firms must address.
Production Industry
July 20, 2017
U.S. exploration and production companies are contending with
a range of internal and external factors. During this webcast,
presenters will draw from insights derived from our recent study,
which examines how organizations are responding to today’s

AICPA Not-for-Profit Industry Conference
June 21-23, 2017
Washington, D.C.
Grant Thornton is a sponsor of this event. It includes program
sessions tailored to all levels of industry experience that will help
participants make sense of generational trends, the business
of philanthropy, societal challenges, changing demographics
and more. It offers participants the opportunity to refine their
planning — reinforced by accounting, audit, tax, and regulatory
and compliance updates from standard-setters — so that
the organizations they serve will be better positioned for the
mission ahead. Enter discount code SDK for $100 off the active
registration fee, valid for both the on-site and online conferences.
Sponsorships and events

Leveraging technology
Today’s organizations are working differently — they are
facing global competition, changing customer and employee
expectations, evolving regulation and more. The strategic
application and use of technology can often help companies
drive innovation and competitive advantage. Today’s
technologies, including cloud, social media and the internet
of things, can accelerate business performance and help
companies gain visibility into their operations and derive
actionable insights to efficiently achieve their objectives.
Thought leadership
BeyondBitcoin:LeveragingBlockchainforForensicApplications
Blockchain is a distributed ledger system in the form of a
decentralized database that stores linked records. Blockchain
technology enables a comprehensive view of transactions back to
their origination and provides enormous promise for the forensic
community. Read about blockchain and how it supports forensic
investigations and its advantages in technology.
Data Analytics Takes a Front Seat to Internal Audit
The Internal Audit Foundation partnered with Grant Thornton
LLP in a survey series to assess how companies are using data
analytics in their business activities. Read about the insights
from the first survey.
Five Disruptive Technologies Driving Opportunities in
Financial Services
The five technologies driving innovation in the financial services
industry include: artificial intelligence, machine learning/
robotics, cloud-based platforms, big data/analytics, and
blockchain. Read more about how these technologies are
causing a shift in focus toward greater customer engagement
and an improved customer experience.
In transforming business, one of the top priorities is cost-reduction.
In order to reduce cost, leaders are improving process efficiency
through automation. Connected data and advanced analytics
are moving business beyond tactical cost reduction, extracting the
extraordinary economic power of information. See how exploiting
innovative technologies, mastering advanced data analytics and
investing in a new and different workforce will transform your
business.
Robotics Process Automation: How to Embrace the Potential
and Drive Results
There’s no question that robotics process automation (RPA) is
a familiar presence in financial services. Still, decision-makers
throughout the industry have many questions about why and how
to take best advantage of this technology. Learn more about the five
themes you should incorporate into your implementation strategy to
help avoid some of the common pitfalls in implementing RPA.
Internal Audit: Driving Enterprise Value Through Data Analytics
Today’s internal audit environment has to cover ever-expanding
risks like cyber, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance and
much more, and internal audit functions need to keep pace, often
with fewer resources. The labor-intensive process of years past has
changed and will continue to change swiftly. Read this article to
learn how data analytics is transforming internal audit.

Creative Ways of Using Social Media to Further Engagement
June 28, 2017
More and more not-for-profits have been targeting younger
donors in their outreach and fundraising strategies, yet many
organizations simply don’t know how. This webcast will discuss
how to navigate the different social media tools, ways the next
generation leverages these tools to communicate and engage,
how some not-for-profits have been using social media in
creative and unexpected ways to generate results, and common
pitfalls to avoid as your organization bolsters its digital outreach.
This webcast is presented exclusively for Grant Thornton clients.
The Blurring Lines Within and at the Edges of the
Technology Industry
July 18, 2017
Cloud-based global infrastructure, social networking and
intelligent devices are giving rise to a new generation of
technology companies built around platforms and ecosystems
that blur the traditional industry definitions, participants and
regulatory structures. Join our webcast to explore how the
blurring of lines will continue to create opportunities and risks
across the technology industry.
Webcasts

Risk management
In today’s ever-changing business environment of market
complexity, globalization and increasing investor expectations,
managing risk while protecting value is more important than
ever. Companies understand the need to be more proactive
in managing their risk to mitigate losses, reduce the risk of
reputational damage and more. Leading organizations will find
ways to harness risk to help grow their business and achieve
exceptional performance.
Thought leadership
The Practical Implications of a Jointly Retained Expert Witness
The use of a jointly retained expert witness can be a cost-
effective way to expedite the resolution of a dispute. However,
it has risks that the parties need to consider carefully. Read
this article to understand the full scope of key considerations
and how these, when handled properly, can be turned into
advantages for both parties.
Integrate Risk Management In Your Pursuit of High
Performance
Pushing limits entails risk-taking that high-performing
individuals and organizations often embrace while others
shun. Yet, achieving high performance in the current business
environment demands an understanding of not only risk and risk
management, but also truly integrated risk management and
how to realize it. Learn about an integrated approach for five
ways to achieve organization-wide risk management.
Consider Key Areas When Evaluating Qualified
Retirement Plans
Qualified retirement plans continue to be affected by government
scrutiny as well as larger changes in society. Here are some key
areas for plan sponsors to consider in determining how their
plans stack up and whether further action may be appropriate to
manage risks for both the employer and the employees.
Risk-Taking Video
As far as growth-focused business leaders are concerned, return on
risk is a critical component of an innovative strategic program. The
majority of 1,000 senior leaders surveyed see balancing opportunity
and the right risks as highly desirable for creating and protecting
value. See how the trajectory of your business can be changed by
taking advantage of opportunities presented by calculated risks.
Protect, Minimize and Manage Risk for Strategic Advantage
Financial services firms face emerging risk like never before. Learn
how you can anticipate and predict their consequences.
Measuring Risk in Federal Credit Programs
While the credit subsidy cost figure mandated by the Federal
Credit Reform Act indicates the expected budgetary cost of federal
credit programs, it does not indicate what could be lost in plausible
stress scenarios. We propose development of a Loss Volatility metric
for greater insight into essential program financial risks. Read the
article on measuring risk in federal client programs.

Trump impact on business
Only time will tell what the Trump administration really means
for business. Many companies are patiently waiting to see
how his policies will affect their industry — from trade to tax
reform, health care and more. Although there’s uncertainty
surrounding the administration’s policy agenda, business leaders
are anticipating his policies with both curiosity and cautious
optimism. Learn how to get prepared.
Thought leadership
Trump Seeks to Reclaim Control of Tax Reform With New
Outline
The Trump administration released an outline for tax reform that
includes the president’s bold proposals to slash rates but leaves
many of the difficult questions unanswered. See our full alert for
more information and a full side-by-side comparison of the Trump
outline and House Republican blueprint.
Be Smart Amid Uncertainty: Get the 2017 Tax Reference Guide
Political uncertainty is not an excuse for paralysis. Tax planning
is just as important as ever, especially as prospects for tax
reform are higher than they’ve been in years. Grant Thornton’s
2017 Tax Reference Guide helps you understand the obstacles
and possibilities.
Future ready business:
Washington impact subscription
Grant Thornton and Bloomberg BNA provide a yearlong program
series to help businesses understand and prepare for sweeping tax-
and regulatory-policy changes.
The Road to Financial Services Deregulation: U-turn or
Gentle Curve?
Whether the Trump administration can reverse or simply bend the
regulatory trend that began with the 2008-2009 financial crisis and
continued through the 2010 passage of Dodd-Frank remains to be
seen. Like almost everyone in the industry, Grant Thornton has its
ears to the ground. What should banking executives expect? Read
our insights.
Prepare Now to Address Supply Chain and Tax Issues Under
Trump and GOP Proposals
Corporate CEOs are already sweating the logistics should
their supply chains be disrupted by tough new proposals from
Republicans aimed at pushing business back to the United States.
Learn more about how to address the tricky tax implications of
making adjustments to the supply chain.

IsYourBusinessFutureReady?PrepareforWashington’sImpact
The report helps business leaders identify what lies ahead for their
industry and the implications of Washington’s impact on their
growth strategies and forecasts. Learn how the new administration’s
policy agenda will likely affect the tech, financial services,
manufacturing, and pharma/life sciences industries, and what
business leaders can do today to prepare for the changes ahead.

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ForwardThinking June/July 2017 Grant Thornton

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