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Why Grant Thornton
Whether you’re growing in one market or many, looking to operate more effectively, managing risk and regulation, or realising stakeholder value, our firms can help.
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Grant Thornton’s culture is one of our most valuable assets and has steered us in the right direction for more than 100 years.
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Beyond global scale, we embrace what makes each market unique, local understanding on a global scale.
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Join our network
In a world that wants more options for high quality services, we differentiate in the market to grow sustainably in today’s rapidly changing environment.
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Leadership governance and quality
Grant Thornton International Ltd acts as the coordinating entity for member firms in the network with a focus on areas such as strategy, risk, quality monitoring and brand.
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Africa
24 member firms supporting your business.
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Americas
31 member firms, covering 44 markets and over 20,000 people.
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19 member firms with nearly 25,000 people to support you.
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53 member firms supporting your business.
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8 member firms supporting your business.
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Business consulting services
Our business consulting services can help you improve your operational performance and productivity, adding value throughout your growth life cycle.
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The relationship between a company and its auditor has changed. Organisations must understand and manage risk and seek an appropriate balance between risk and opportunities.
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As organisations become increasingly dependent on digital technology, the opportunities for cyber criminals continue to grow.
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At Grant Thornton, we have a wealth of knowledge in forensic services and can support you with issues such as dispute resolution, fraud and insurance claims.
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We work with entrepreneurial businesses in the mid-market to help them assess the true commercial potential of their planned acquisition and understand how the purchase might serve their longer-term strategic goals.
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Recovery and reorganisation
Workable solutions to maximise your value and deliver sustainable recovery.
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We can support you throughout the transaction process – helping achieve the best possible outcome at the point of the transaction and in the longer term.
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We provide a wide range of services to recovery and reorganisation professionals, companies and their stakeholders.
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At Grant Thornton, our IFRS advisers can help you navigate the complexity of financial reporting from IFRS 1 to IFRS 17 and IAS 1 to IAS 41.
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Audit quality monitoring
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Transfer pricing
The laws surrounding transfer pricing are becoming ever more complex, as tax affairs of multinational companies are facing scrutiny from media, regulators and the public
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Outsourcing Changes to the Outsourcing legislation, specifically when offshoringSignificant changes to the dynamic of the financial services sector in recent years have shifted the paradigms in how we work. The increased digitisation of the workforce, changes in business models, globalisation, and remote working capabilities have led to a new approach to the delivery of services.
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Banking Holding banking to account: the real diversity and inclusion pictureWe explore how the banking sector can continue to attract, retain and nurture women to build a more diverse and inclusive future.
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Sustainability From voluntary to mandatory ESG: How banks can future-proof their operationsAs we move from voluntary ESG initiatives to mandatory legislation, we explore what the banking sector needs to prioritise.
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IFRS IFRS 9 - Audit of Expected Credit LossesGPPC releases The Auditor’s response to the risks of material misstatement posed by estimates of expected credit losses under IFRS 9
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growthiQ Steering your company to long-term successHistory has something important to tell us about the difficulties of steering a business to long-term success – through seismic shifts in technology, consumer demands and product development. With that in mind it’s unsurprising that over half the world’s largest companies in the early 1900s had shut their doors by the late 1990s. Some, however, have endured.
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Infographic Grow workforce loyalty during the Great ResignationEmployers must work harder than ever to grow workforce loyalty and meet the increasing demands for a purpose-led organisation.
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Article Climate change: planning for mandatory TCFD reportingTFCD reporting requirements are becoming mandatory. Here’s how retailers can get ready for reporting on climate change.
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Women in Business The power of diversity: can life sciences maintain their lead?Our Women in Business 2022 report shows that life sciences companies – in line with other mid-market businesses – are taking deliberate, necessary action to create more inclusive working practices and giving female talent access to senior positions in greater numbers than ever before.
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United States Driving an insurance carrier ecosystem strategyGrant Thornton’s Mathew Tierney, global head of Insurance, and Andrée Bourgon, principal for Insurance Strategy and Transactions, recently talked with John Weber of A.M. Best Co. for that company’s “Best’s Review” video series.
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International Financial Reporting Standards Implementation of IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’The auditor’s response to the risks of material misstatement arising from estimates made in applying IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’
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IFRS Get ready for IFRS 17After twenty years of development the IASB has published IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’, find out more.
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Women in Business The power of diversity: can life sciences maintain their lead?Our Women in Business 2022 report shows that life sciences companies – in line with other mid-market businesses – are taking deliberate, necessary action to create more inclusive working practices and giving female talent access to senior positions in greater numbers than ever before.
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Report Technology insights Q2 2022What did Q2 2022 bring for technology, media, and telecommunications? Stay informed with our latest quarterly review.
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Mid-market industries‘Uneven’ is how we described the impact of COVID-19 on different mid-market industries – both when assessing initial destruction in H1 2020 and the early recovery in H2 2020. Midway through 2021, it is really encouraging to see some of that unevenness disappear and more industries participating in the overall recovery.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Not for profit How to effectively leave the pandemic behindAs the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel shines brighter, nonprofits are assessing the past year’s impact on their businesses and are focusing on the next steps to achieve success in the year ahead.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Financial reporting advisory The rise of the Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC)While we are seeing a rise in activity for Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, what is a SPAC and what do you need to consider before entering into one?
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Private equity ESG for private equityMost US private equity firms are taking steps, prompted by a combination of European examples, imminent regulation, limited partner expectations, and their own sense of what needs to be done.
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Access to finance Raise finance to invest in changePrepare your business to raise finance to invest in change.
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Private equity firms Private equity in the mid-market: reshaping strategies for 2021When the global COVID-19 pandemic stormed across the globe in early 2020, the private equity sector was hit hard but deals are coming back to the market.
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Article Time to review funding and financing arrangements?What does the funding landscape look like for public sector organisations in 2022?
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Public sector Helping build the government of tomorrow, todayLearn about the Grant Thornton US public sector team.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Industries European Real Estate PodcastJessica Patel, Tax Partner at Grant Thornton UK speaks with tax partners and directors across the network to share their insights on the real estate market and some of the challenges.
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Industries European Real Estate PodcastJessica Patel, Tax Partner at Grant Thornton UK speaks with tax partners and directors across the network to share their insights on the real estate market and some of the challenges.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Article PSR report aims to make digital payments accessibleThe PSR aims to reduce barriers to digital payments but many remain hesitant. How can payment services move forward?
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Telecoms Can tech and telecom leverage economic headwindsAs most businesses brace for an economic downturn, tech and telecom could see new prospects. But, to turn the headwinds to your advantage, you need to find your unique opportunities and risks.
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Technology Mid-market tech companies lead the way on diversity and inclusionWe explore how the mid-market tech sector can continue to build and nurture a culture that’s increasingly more diverse and inclusive for women.
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Tax Eight tax approaches for global tech employeesCompanies need to understand the tax implications for each unique geography and country there employees reside in.
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Technology Responding to slowing growth: why the tech industry faces a more challenging outlook in 2022We spoke to tech experts about industry trends that could affect companies over the next 12 months and what their short-term strategic priorities should be.
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Telecoms Can tech and telecom leverage economic headwindsAs most businesses brace for an economic downturn, tech and telecom could see new prospects. But, to turn the headwinds to your advantage, you need to find your unique opportunities and risks.
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TMT TMT industry: Fully charged or on standby?Our research revealed five key trends that resonated with Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) industry leaders around the world. We asked a panel of our experts from UK, US, India Ireland and Germany, to give us their reaction to the findings.
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Cybersecurity One size fits nothingTechnology companies must adopt a new approach to digital risk: those that successfully develop a reputation for digital trust by demonstrating an unwavering commitment to cyber security and data privacy will be able to carve out a competitive advantage.
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Technology, media & telecommunications Why it’s time for a 5G reality checkFigures suggest the mobile sector is maturing. While data usage continues to soar, mobile revenues are expected to flatten out over the next few years.
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Mid-market industries‘Uneven’ is how we described the impact of COVID-19 on different mid-market industries – both when assessing initial destruction in H1 2020 and the early recovery in H2 2020. Midway through 2021, it is really encouraging to see some of that unevenness disappear and more industries participating in the overall recovery.
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International business Mid-market businesses lifted by rising tide of optimismOptimism among global mid-market business leaders rose to 67% in the first half of this year and they are markedly more optimistic about their prospects with global optimism having increased by 8%.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Hotels COVID-19: Checking in with the hotel industry one year onCOVID-19 provided some hard lessons for the hotel sector. It is time to turn those into sustainable and well executed growth strategies.
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Women in Business 2024
2024 marks the 20th year of monitoring and measuring the proportion of women occupying senior management roles around the world.
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COP28: Mid-market firms should seize the opportunity from adaption and innovation
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IFRS Alerts
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General guidance for preparers of financial statements that supports the commitment to high quality, consistent application of IFRS.
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International indirect tax guide
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Global transfer pricing guide
Helping you easily find everything you need to know about the rules and regulations regarding transfer pricing and Country by Country reporting for every country you do business with.
The hotel industry has always been a people-driven business, taking pride in its customer-focussed approach. But as technology advances, many hoteliers aren’t using it to service customers in the way they expect. By contrast, innovative newcomers offer guests a more tailored service, fuelled by cutting-edge technology and data-driven customisation.
To stay relevant, hotel leaders need to explore how disruptive and agile competitors influence the market – particularly where technology is helping them gain market share. At the Africa Hotel Investment Forum on 12 October, I’ll be speaking on innovation and trends in the hotel industry – a topic that’s key to getting ahead. Here’s an advance introduction to the changes shaping the industry’s future.
The drag of legacy systems
Hotels have developed rapidly worldwide, but their adoption of technology has lagged behind. Despite shifting from manual administration to electronic systems, not much has changed in the way guests are served. Other industries have shown how harnessing technology helps them to better interact with customers, reduce costs, personalise the offering and enable self-service – developments that could also help hotels.
The reservation process is a clear example where hoteliers fall behind. Today, customers expect a greater degree of autonomy when making a purchase and many appreciate being able to customise their choices to suit their individual needs. Yet, contrast hotel bookings with the choice we have when choosing airline seats and its clear the lack of self- and pre-selection options – is holding the hotel industry back. By simply investing in more interactive platforms, hoteliers could improve the room selection and tailoring experience of their customers.
Outsourcing customer relationships
The internet has benefitted the hotel industry by enhancing its reach and amplifying messages – but it’s also brought challenges. Hotels have unintentionally delegated their customer access to online aggregators, meta-search sites, online travel agencies (OTAs), and airline or car rental sites. This reduces their offering to the lowest common denominators – cost and location. So, hoteliers end up competing in the same digital space for the same market, but with higher commission costs.
Sites such as Booking.com and Trip Advisor have further disrupted the industry by shifting from guest review sites to end-to-end booking systems. With customers researching, booking and accessing wider services directly through these sites, brand experience – and brand loyalty – lies with the OTA or aggregator, instead of the hotel.
The good news is that some hoteliers are reshaping the industry by recapturing distribution and rate control from OTAs and aggregators. This gives them ownership of the customer relationship. But handled properly, it also provides valuable data insights and enables them to engage with younger generations through personalisation and technology. In 2016, Hilton Hotels launched its largest ever campaign called ‘Stop Clicking Around’ – urging travellers to book directly through its mobile app and assuring the best rates.
Big data means personalisation
Guests in some hotels now have the opportunity to personalise through technology-based self-selection. At some Starwood Hotel locations, guests can use their smartphones to programme lighting and playlists, or schedule their morning coffee. However, while this offers an encouraging degree of flexibility, it still doesn’t represent true personalisation.
In order to personalise guests’ experience, hotels need to understand in advance what it is they want and provide it automatically and pre-emptively. We are seeing the beginnings of this, with The Bratislava Sheraton and Kimpton Hotels, for example.
The Bratislava Sheraton researches guests publicly stated ‘likes’ on social media and present them with a tailored arrival gift. Kimpton Hotels, meanwhile, offers guests loyalty recognition if they engage through social media: its aim is to “get to know the guests better so we can deliver the best experience.” But hotels are not yet harnessing for action the data they have, nor are they using the opportunities to collect better data. While the information and opportunity is there, it'll take time before most hotels use insight into their preferences, likes and lifestyle, and stay history to pre-empt guests’ needs.
A softer approach
Looking at broader tailoring opportunities, some hoteliers are adapting the physical estate to engage better with target markets. For example, certain brands are launching lifestyle boutiques to capture Millennials’ appetite for eco-awareness, wellness and sustainability – from the Marriott’s Element, Aloft and Edition to Hyatt’s Andaz and InterContinental Hotels Group’s Hotel Indigo.
Testing a less radical approach, other brands are providing curated content (a defining feature of Millennial culture) to enhance their brand. London’s Hoxton Hotel, for example, publishes ‘Hoxtown’, a programme of events, blogs and guides to highlight local attractions. Meanwhile, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts commissioned leading photojournalists to offer guests a glimpse behind the scenes of its hotels.
Models of the future
So what will the hotels of the future look like? For a start, apps are likely to play a greater role, with hotels adopting full-service apps so guests can control every element of their stay: from selecting rooms to checking-in; customising the mini-bar; and accessing additional services. Not only will this improve satisfaction, the data it generates will enable hotels to offer a richer service and target more sales opportunities.
Agile digital interfaces may also allow hotels to enter the customer value chain earlier – from booking airport pickups to requesting luggage collections Mobile devices may become the booking medium, room selector, electronic key card, and connection system – creating an end-to-end link between the hotel and guest.
Some possible developments we can’t fully visualise yet. The most significant of these is AI and robotics. While some hotels already use Service Bots for basic hotel operations, they may become more pervasive and personalised, handling many service aspects. Analysis by McKinsey & Company suggests 73% of activities performed by accommodation and food service workers could be automated. This will free up hotel employees to act as roaming ambassadors and offer a more flexible, bespoke guest service.
Staying ahead of the curve
The hotel landscape may be on the cusp of a huge transformation, and horizon scanning is vital to future success. With powerful disrupters taking market share, hoteliers need to observe developments within and outside their industry, to capitalise on social, technological and data opportunities to improve customers’ experience. Now is the time to identify innovation and adaptation strategies, and meet guests’ changing expectations.
By Gillian Saunders, Head of Advisory Services for Grant Thornton South Africa and Global Leader for Travel, Tourism and Leisure for Grant Thornton.
To find out more, hear Gillian Saunders speak on innovation and trends in the hotel industry from 9.00 – 09:45 am at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum on 12 October. You can also meet the Grant Thornton team at stand 28, who can help you identify potential threats, risks, emerging issues and opportunities in person.