In what is believed to be one of the first of its kind, thousands of Grant Thornton people from member firms in 127 countries have taken part in contributing ideas to the next corporate strategy for the world’s fastest growing international accounting organisation. 

Using IBM’s InnovationJamTM technology and generating more than 13,000 comments, findings are now being reviewed and will be presented at the Grant Thornton Annual Conference in Montreal in October, with live streaming to member firms around the world.

“In 2009, the Grant Thornton global leadership team developed a go forward strategy that we called ‘Ambition 2015’, setting reach goals in growth, people development and thought leadership,” said Grant Thornton Global CEO Ed Nusbaum. “Five years later, Ambition 2015 has been a success and now Grant Thornton is looking beyond 2015, and we wanted to tap directly into the wisdom of the crowd for driving our future growth strategy.”

Discussion forums were led by Nusbaum, his leadership team and CEOs of Grant Thornton member firms from the UK, US, China, Canada, Sweden and France.

The participation level by Grant Thornton people nearly doubled the average for previous online crowdsourcing events at major global corporates (37%). More than 24,000 visits and over 13,000 comments were posted in what is believed to be one of the largest on-line collaborative events held by a global accounting and advisory services organisation.

Tim Downes, Grant Thornton New Zealand’s National Managing Partner says, “The way in which we do business is changing quickly. Our Global JAM was an unprecedented event which demonstrates how technology can be used intelligently and collaboratively.”

This highly collaborative social networking exercise, open to everyone from Grant Thornton member firms around the world, was designed to encourage the exchange of ideas between senior management and staff across the organisation.

Ed Nusbaum, Grant Thornton Global CEO, commented: “We wanted to give everyone in the organisation a voice and tap into the wisdom of the Grant Thornton crowd, and the Global JAM was the perfect way to do it.  Topics ranged from how to unlock potential for growth, delivering greater distinctive client service and disruptive technologies.”

Participants spanned every age group from 18 to over 60, including all job levels from intern to CEO. Everyone in the Grant Thornton organisation will be able to watch the live stream of the Montreal presentation, followed by a real time questions and comments session.

Tim Downes said: "It was such a great experience and something that our team really embraced. They tell me that they’ve never felt more a part of our global organisation."

Further enquiries, please contact:

Tim Downes
National Managing Partner
Grant Thornton New Zealand
T +64 (0)9 308 2989
M +64 (0)21 909 442
E tim.downes@nz.gt.com