GT Events & Program Guide: ForwardThinking August/September 2017

GT Events & Program Guide:
ForwardThinking
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

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.
About ForwardThinking

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
Financial Executive Compensation Report 2017
Senior-level financial executives at public and private
companies alike reported consistent trends in the levels
and sources of their compensation in 2016, with average
salary increases of 4.1%. Download the Financial Executive
Compensation Report 2017 to find out more.
Optimizing Employee Engagement in Your Organization
September 28, 2017
This webcast will help you learn about strategies and best
practices to optimize employee engagement in your organization.
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.

To receive ongoing insights
• Download ForwardThinking, our bi-monthly guide to help you address
today's pressing business issues and tackle tomorrow's challenges
• Subscribe to receive regular communications, newsletters and timely
alerts
• Register for live webcasts or view on-demand episodes

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
Behind the Wheel: Investors Compete for Acquisitions in the
Transportation Sector
Grant Thornton, in collaboration with Raymond James, explored the
opportunities for acquisitions in the transportation industry from the
point of view of interested buyers. Our findings reveal a diversified
market ripe for investment. The industry welcomes inorganic growth
to complement the limited potential for organic growth of its well-
established market. Learn more about which markets are ripe for
investment and to understand the three macro trends that affect
transportation investments.
Middle Market Q1 2017: The Time to Invest in the Future Is Now
Now is the time for businesses to invest their extra dollars. Issued by
the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM), the Q1 Middle
Market Indicator for 2017 showed middle-market optimism appears
to be at an all-time high. Businesses are taking calculated risks
and making the most of current and future opportunities. Several
measures prove that growth is backed by solid results and a realistic
projection for the next 12 months.
Future Collaborations Between Global Cities and the Middle
Market: Key Questions and Smart Moves
Workforce development, trade partnerships and initiatives related
to digitization and innovation are the future winning cards for
productive collaborations between the middle market and global
cities. Read excerpts of interviews with leading business executives
and industry luminaries on these topics.
Internal Audit Discovers New Value in Data Analytics
The Internal Audit Foundation is partnering with Grant Thornton LLP
in a survey series to assess how companies are using data analytics
in their business activities. View the results of our surveys.
Hedge Funds Look to Boost Performance Amid Changing
Political and Economic Trends
The hedge fund industry is under pressure. Long-standing fee
structures are being recast as fund managers design new
agreements that emphasize performance over management fees.
This article will provide a few thoughts on forces reshaping the
hedge fund industry.
The Exploration and Production Industry Innovates Its Way
Toward Profitability
Decades of experience with volatility have given U.S. producers the
resilience to weather the blow of depressed oil prices during the past
several years. As energy markets have achieved some stability at
around $50 per barrel, the industry is trying to recover, while producers
relentlessly work toward achieving more efficiency and reducing costs.
Read about the new trends in the exploration and production industry.

Life Sciences Industry: Evolving From Volume-Based to Value-
Based Care
Life sciences companies are shifting their focus from offering
products to providing solutions that deliver quality outcomes
and increased value. The move stems from changing demands
of individuals, businesses and governments. On the one
hand, health consumers are better informed and have higher
expectations for outcomes. On the other, governments and
employers are concerned about rising health care expenses,
wasteful spending and the effectiveness of costly treatments.
Read more on new trends in the life sciences industry as
discussed by George Serafin, principal, Life Sciences Advisory,
and Lisa Walkush, principal, Life Sciences Advisory.
3 Big Issues Are Top of Mind For Manufacturing CFOs
During a lively Grant Thornton Manufacturing CFO Exchange,
manufacturing leaders shared their insights to help CFOs react
in the best way possible to what lies ahead. Listen in as Grant
Thornton’s manufacturing leaders Jeff French, national managing
partner for Consumer and Industrial Products, and Brian Murphy,
tax leader, Consumer and Industrial products, discuss preparations
for the exchange with National Managing Partner for Markets,
Clients and Industry Nichole Jordan.
Being Smart and Agile Means a Win for U.S. Manufacturers
Learn how manufacturers are developing more engaging customer
relationships and adapting for growth. The rapid pace of change
in today’s manufacturing industry calls for a real commitment
to agility. Possible tax reform and where it might lead are
provoking both optimism and uncertainty. View our video to learn
how manufacturers are developing more engaging customer
relationships and adapting for growth.
Get the Help You Need to Succeed
Manufacturing clients can ignite growth during a time of transition
in the industry, and Grant Thornton can help. Get the scoop as
National Managing Partner for Markets, Clients and Industry
Nichole Jordan speaks with two of the firm’s manufacturing
leaders, Jeff French, national managing partner for Consumer and
Industrial Products, and Brian Murphy, tax leader, Consumer and
Industrial Products.
Across the Economy, the Technology Industry Is Smashing
Business Models — Including Its Own
Technologies that are dramatically reshaping many businesses
are powerfully affecting the technology industry itself. This article
includes a few thoughts on forces reshaping the technology
industry, by Steven Perkins, national managing director of
Grant Thornton’s Technology Industry Practice.
Disruptor or Disrupted? Make the Right Technology Choice
Are you disrupted or disrupting? Learn the benefits of being
proactive and the risks of being reactive.
Convert New and Old Challenges Into Competitive Advantages
Technology disruption presents a two-sided coin — opportunities
and complexities. In order to flip the coin to the opportunity side,
consider these issues and the technological actions to address them.
5 Trends Radically Reshaping the Customer Experience
Explore the five important trends to satisfy customers and surge
forward in an uncertain, disrupted and risky business environment.

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.
A Bright Future For America’s Manufacturers
The U.S. manufacturing industry is positioned for renewed growth
and innovation. An industry-friendly political environment points
to less regulation and lower taxes — and at manufacturing’s
core, a digital and technological revolution is transforming
business operations. This article provides thoughts on new
technologies in the manufacturing industry.
High-Tech Is the New Face of Manufacturing
How can automation improve product quality? In what ways
can unstructured data be interpreted and disseminated in
meaningful ways to help manufacturing organizations make
the best business decisions going forward? In this video,
Grant Thornton’s National Managing Partner for Markets, Clients
and Industry Nichole Jordan digs deep into these issues with two
of the firm’s leaders, Jeff French, our national managing partner
for Consumer and Industrial Products, and Brian Murphy, tax
leader, Consumer and Industrial Products.
Private Equity: Identify Opportunities, Tackle Competition
to Stay Vibrant
As increasingly sophisticated investors demand exemplary
performance, the PE industry has felt the need to do more, and
more quickly. All funds, whatever their size, can gain rewards by
identifying opportunities for value creation and tackling head-on
the increasingly competitive nature of the business.
Trends to Work Through: Populism and Technology Disruption
Faced with technological disruption and potential impacts of
populism and protectionism on their business models, many
organizations feel compelled to stop in their tracks to wait out
the storm. In this podcast, four Grant Thornton leaders and
the founder of Whole Mind Strategy Group offer solutions
and strategies for bold decision-making to help position your
organization for the future, whatever it may bring.
Trends That Are Transforming Customer Experience
While humans remain the heart of great customer service,
technology is rapidly taking on more of the work. Watch Nichole
Jordan, national managing partner of Markets, Clients and
Industry, describe the five trends that are radically transforming
the customer experience.

4 Accelerating Architectural Trends Are Driving
Industry Disruption
Community platforms, the internet of things, digitization and
analytics, and blockchain — all four architectural trends are
disruptive factors that will transform the industry. Learn how to
positively transform your organization by claiming the driver’s seat
and aligning your business to the speed of technological change.
Reignite Your Business' Growth
We surveyed more than 1,000 executives to see how they’re
preparing their firms to succeed in an era of political uncertainty
and technological disruption. 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.

Leveraging technology
Today’s organizations are working differently — they are
facing global competition, changing customer and employee
expectations, evolving regulations 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
High-Tech Is the New Face of Manufacturing
How can automation improve product quality? In what ways
can unstructured data be interpreted and disseminated in
meaningful ways to help manufacturing organizations make
the best business decisions going forward? In this video, Grant
Thornton’s National Managing Partner for Markets, Clients and
Industry Nichole Jordan digs deep into these issues with two of
the firm’s leaders, Jeff French, our national managing partner
for Consumer and Industrial Products, and Brian Murphy, tax
leader, Consumer and Industrial Products.
Across the Economy, the Technology Industry Is Smashing
Business Models — Including Its Own
Technologies that are dramatically reshaping many businesses
are powerfully affecting the technology industry itself. This article
includes a few thoughts on forces reshaping the technology
industry, by Steven Perkins, national managing director of Grant
Thornton’s Technology Industry Practice.
Trends That Are Transforming Customer Experience
While humans remain the heart of great customer service,
technology is rapidly taking on more of the work. Watch Nichole
Jordan, national managing partner of Markets, Clients and
Industry, describe the five trends that are radically transforming the
customer experience.
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.
A Bright Future For America’s Manufacturers
The U.S. manufacturing industry is positioned for renewed growth
and innovation. An industry-friendly political environment points
to less regulation and lower taxes — and at manufacturing’s core,
a digital and technological revolution is transforming business
operations. This article provides thoughts on new technologies in the
manufacturing industry.

4 Accelerating Architectural Trends Are Driving
Industry Disruption
Community platforms, the internet of things, digitization and
analytics, and blockchain — all four architectural trends are
disruptive factors that will transform the industry. Learn how to
positively transform your organization by claiming the driver’s seat
and aligning your business to the speed of technological change.
Internal Audit Discovers New Value in Data Analytics
The Internal Audit Foundation is partnering with Grant Thornton
LLP in a survey series to assess how companies are using
data analytics in their business activities. View the results of
our surveys.

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 businesses and achieve
exceptional performance.
Thought leadership
Reignite Your Business' Growth
We surveyed more than 1,000 executives to see how they’re
preparing their firms to succeed in an era of political uncertainty
and technological disruption. 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.
Future of Risk Management Function Pulse Survey
Grant Thornton was pleased to participate at the RIMS annual
conference and exhibition from April 23-26, 2017 in Philadelphia. The
conference boasted close to 3,000 attendees and 400 speakers. As
a RIMS sponsor and exhibitor, we asked attendees (and polled our
followers on Twitter) to take a brief survey about the future of the
risk management function. Read what was said.
Protect, Minimize and Manage Risk for Strategic Advantage
Financial services firms face emerging risks like never before. Learn
how you can anticipate and predict their consequences.
AICPA Introduces Cybersecurity Risk Management
Reporting Framework
On April 27, 2017, the staff of the SEC’s Office of Structured
Disclosure released FAQs on the IFRS taxonomy available for certain
foreign private issuers that prepare their financial statements in
accordance with IFRS standards as issued by the IASB.
Top Issues and Opportunities Impacting Today’s
Manufacturing CFOs
In today’s constantly changing market, what are the top concerns
of manufacturing CFOs? Tax reform, foreign investment and risk
management are three important issues weighing on their minds,
as revealed in a lively discussion during Grant Thornton’s new
Manufacturing CFO Exchange. Read to understand why these risks
are top of mind today.
Trends to Work Through: Populism and Technology Disruption
Faced with technological disruption and potential impacts of
populism and protectionism on their business models, many
organizations feel compelled to stop in their tracks to wait out the
storm. In this podcast, four Grant Thornton leaders and the founder
of Whole Mind Strategy Group offer solutions and strategies for
bold decision-making to help position your organization for the
future, whatever it may bring.
Capture the Value and Positive Returns of Calculated
Risk-Taking
Return on risk is a critical component of an innovative strategic
program. See how the trajectory of your business can be changed
by taking advantage of opportunities presented by calculated risks.

WannaCry Cyber Attack: Proactive Steps to Protect Value
in Your Organization
The latest ransomware cyberattack, known as WannaCry, among
other names, has reportedly infected as many as hundreds of
thousands of computers worldwide. This malware, like other
ransomware attacks, is known to infect the system, resulting in
the encryption of data and files making them inaccessible until
a ransom is paid to decrypt and unlock the information. Prepare
your organization. Read about our recommended steps to prevent
a ransomware attack.
Moving Beyond ERM Theory to Real-World Implementation
August 23, 2017
As not-for-profit organizations begin implementing enterprise risk
management (ERM) programs, they turn to the popular literature
for guidance. What they find is predominantly theoretical in
nature, and they struggle with translating it into practice. This
webcast will share insights and advice on how organizations
have implemented practical, sustainable ERM programs. This
webcast is presented exclusively for Grant Thornton clients.
Proactively Monitoring Your Image in a World of Watchdogs
September 20, 2017
In a world full of charitable organizations, donors have become
progressively reliant upon the ratings provided by charity
watchdog agencies as a tool to evaluate nonprofit performance.
This webcast will focus on identifying the criteria and
methodology employed by major watchdog agencies, the IRS
and other governmental agencies. We will discuss the continuing
challenges to effectively measuring a not-for-profit’s impact. In
addition, we’ll explore best practices for proactively monitoring
your organization’s risk.
Webcasts

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
IsYourBusinessFutureReady?PrepareforWashington’sImpact
This report helps business leaders identify what lies ahead for their
industry and the implications of Washington, D.C.’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.
White House Issues Executive Order Targeting Tax Regulations
President Donald Trump issued an executive order in April 2017
directing Treasury to review “all significant” regulations issued after
Jan. 1, 2016, and recommend for modification or rescission any that
impose an undue financial burden on U.S. taxpayers, add undue
complexity to federal tax laws or exceed the statutory authority of
the IRS. Review regulations that could be affected.
Tax Planning for Tax Reform: What You Should Be Doing Now
Republican control of both the White House and Congress has
created a historic opportunity for sweeping tax reform. Republican
lawmakers are proposing structural changes to the tax code that
would have a dramatic impact on all businesses. Although there
are many steps left in the legislative process, businesses don’t have
time to wait and see what happens. This article explains why your
planning should begin now.
Manufacturing CFOs’ Perspective on Trump
Administration Policies
Today, manufacturing CFOs are navigating a business
environment characterized by uncertainty and disruption.
How do manufacturing CFOs take these changes in stride?
Grant Thornton’s 2017 CFO Survey reveals important insights.
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.
Administration Willing to Bend the Rules to Enact Tax Reform
Trump administration officials are expressing an increasing
willingness to change, bend, or break current procedural rules to
push tax reform through the Senate on a simple majority vote. Read
about the proposed approach.
Trump Budget Proposes Giving the IRS New Authority
President Trump’s first budget proposal included three narrow
tax proposals to strengthen IRS enforcement. Read about these
potential changes.
Hedge Funds Look to Boost Performance Amid Changing
Political and Economic Trends
The hedge fund industry is under pressure. Long-standing fee
structures are being recast as fund managers design new
agreements that emphasize performance over management fees.
This article will provide a few thoughts on forces reshaping the
hedge fund industry.

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.
Trump, Tax Reform and the Future of Manufacturing
Amid proposals for a lower corporate tax rate and a potential border
adjustability tax, manufacturers need to get prepared for what
new policies may lay ahead. Grant Thornton’s National Managing
Partner for Markets, Clients and Industry Nichole Jordan speaks
with two of the firm’s manufacturing leaders, Jeff French, our
national managing partner for Consumer and Industrial Products,
and Brian Murphy, tax leader, Consumer and Industrial Products.

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and/or refers to the brand under which the GTIL member firms provide audit, tax and advisory services to their
clients, as the context requires. GTIL and each of its member firms are separate legal entities and are not a
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© 2017 Grant Thornton LLP. All rights reserved. U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

GT Events & Program Guide: ForwardThinking August/September 2017

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GT Events & Program Guide: ForwardThinking August/September 2017