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Business Risk Services
Our Business Risk Services team deliver practical and pragmatic solutions that support clients in growing and protecting the inherent value of their businesses.
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Corporate Finance and Deal Advisory
We offer a dedicated team of experienced individuals with a focus on successfully executing transactions for corporates and financial institutions. We offer an integrated approach, with our corporate finance specialists working seamlessly with tax and other specialists to ensure that every angle is covered.
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Economic Advisory
Our all-island Economics Advisory team combines expertise in economics and business with a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors.
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Forensic Accounting
We have a different way of doing business by delivering real insight through a combination of technical rigour, commercial experience and intuitive judgment. We take pride in delivering responsive and tailored solutions to all our clients, capitalising on the wealth of experience housed within our Belfast and wider Forensics team
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People and Change Consulting
The Grant Thornton People & Change Consulting practice works with clients on these issues as well as on all aspects of how they attract, retain, engage develop, deploy and lead their people.
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Restructuring
We work with a wide variety of clients and stakeholders such as high street banks, private equity funds, directors, government agencies and creditors to implement solutions which provide the best possible outcomes.
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Technology Consulting
Motivating and assisting our clients to pursue, maintain and secure the benefits of digital solutions is at the core of our Digital Transformation teams' agenda and goals. We work with business leaders to deliver efficient digital strategies and operating models that provide new or enhanced capabilities.
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Corporate and International Tax
Northern Ireland businesses face further challenges as they operate in the only part of the UK that has a land border with a country offering a lower tax rate.
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Employer Solutions
Our team specialises in remuneration and incentive planning and works closely with employers, shareholders and employees to ensure that business strategies are aligned and goals achieved in the most tax efficient, cost-effective manner.
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Entrepreneur and Private Client Taxes
Our team of experienced advisors are on hand to guide you through any decision or transaction ranging from the establishment of new business ventures, to realising value on exit, to succession planning and providing for loved ones.
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Global Mobility Services
Grant Thornton Ireland offer a different approach to managing global mobility. We have brought together specialists from our tax, global payroll, people and change and financial accounting teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland, while drawing on the knowledge and insights of our global network of over 143 offices of mobility professionals to provide you with a holistic approach to managing global mobility.
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Outsourced Payroll
Our outsourced service provides valued service to over 150 separate PAYE schemes. These ranging from 1 to 1000 employees, working for micro, SME and global employers. The service is supported by the integrated network of tax and global mobility teams and the wider Grant Thornton network delivering a seamless service. Experienced staff deliver a personal service built around your business needs.
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Tax Disputes and Investigations
Our Tax Disputes and Investigation team is made up of tax experts and former HMRC investigators who have years of experience in dealing with a variety of tax investigations. Our expertise and insight can guide you through all interactions, keeping your cost at a minimum while allowing you to continue with the day to day running of your business.
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VAT and Indirect Taxes
At Grant Thornton (NI) LLP, our team helps Northern Ireland businesses manage their UK and global indirect tax risks which, as transactional taxes, can quickly become big liabilities.
Leading in a VUCA world
28 Aug 2018In a recent ‘Preparing for Brexit’ workshop, we were discussing how volatile and ambiguous the business landscape is going to be over the coming months. It got me thinking about the impact on business leaders as they adapt to changing circumstances and emerging government decisions, over which they have no control, whilst feeling the pressure to make critical decisions about their business.
The term VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) comes from the military, often used to describe conflict hot spots around the world, and is also a perfect description of the business environment, especially now.
Depending on a leaders’ own tolerance for making decisions in the face of uncertainty, this could be a very unsettling time. If you are the type of leader who, when faced with an important decision, prefers to take their time, gather all the facts and information, lock yourself away in a darkened room, weigh your options, and then decide, you are facing an uncomfortable few months.
As the countdown to the UK’s departure from the EU ticks down, there are two potential scenarios: ‘deal or no deal’. With the prospect of a ‘no deal’ scenario becoming increasingly possible, VUCA will become the new norm. Leaders not only have to prepare their business for either outcome, and do scenario planning for each, but they also have to prepare themselves mentally for the discomfort they will inevitably face.
How can leaders personally prepare for VUCA?
The first step is accepting that you are dealing with ambiguity, so brace yourself.
Next, when faced with big decisions, take a collaborative approach. Involve your team. Many heads debating options will take the pressure off you, and will result in a better decision. Engaging your people will also help them to stay informed..
Take a systemic approach. When accessing trade-offs and risks, look at the entire system your business operates in, and consider dependencies. Again, having a cross-functional team as part of the debate will increase your chances that all parts of the system are considered.
Managing competing priorities is also part of the complexity in a VUCA world, so being crystal clear on your top strategic priorities will help you make important decisions when inevitable trade-offs are required.
Remain flexible. Give yourself credit for making the best possible decision you can with the information at hand. As new information emerges, plans will have to change. That does not mean your decisions were wrong, so let go.
Personal resilience is always an important leadership trait. Taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically, puts you in the best position to deal with all that is coming at you and your business. A positive outlook, where you are looking for new opportunities in the midst of all this change, will also help you to remain resilient.
We have tools available to help you with your Brexit preparation. We recommend preparing for the ‘no deal’ outcome as it involves the most change, and will reassure you that you have done all you can to minimise any potential risks and seize any opportunities in this VUCA world.