Crowe Horwath
Jim Powers
CEO
Consulting: As we close out 2015, where is your firm today?
Powers: Data and the protection of data are driving forces for our consulting practices along with ever-increasing regulatory compliance needs. We're focused on being deeply specialized in our target industries and markets, investing heavily in specialized applications for enterprise IT systems and in the use of data analytics to streamline information follow-up and improved decision making. The pace of the change and expansion in the risk areas was surprising—even more than anticipated.
Consulting: How would you describe your firm's outlook for 2016?
Powers: We're projecting growth overall, and in many of our practice areas, we're expecting double-digit growth over the prior year. Our biggest industries by revenue are financial services, manufacturing and distribution, private equity and healthcare. We expect they will lead the way, but that there will be growth in all areas. I don't see any industries that will be contracting.
Consulting: What specific signs are you seeing that suggest an increase or decrease in demand?
Powers: Companies are demanding experts that understand their business—the days of the client teaching you their business have been over for a long time. Our strategic focus on deep specialization, the expanding regulatory compliance market and the hunger for data-driven tools within our target markets are all signs that point to strong growth and an increase in demand for consulting services.
Consulting: How do you see the profession evolving in 2016?
Powers: Recruiting and retaining people is still of the utmost importance in the consulting profession. We're putting more emphasis on providing flexibility and mobility for our people. We've instituted a new mobility strategy with the underlying theme of measuring what matters, including focusing on delivering an exceptional client experience and putting more emphasis on providing flexibility for our people. We're moving away from focusing on where you work and what you wear.
Consulting: What do you see as the biggest opportunities in 2016?
Powers: Getting the right people to join Crowe and keeping our existing people engaged is our greatest opportunity and greatest challenge. Our goal is to help clients and our people make smart decisions today that create lasting value tomorrow. To deliver on this promise, we must have the best talent delivering the best client service.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.