Make the difference hub › Kathy Ann Nicholson
“Alliance-enabled business transformation in the Caribbean paints a picture of efficiency and progress, which can translate into the ushering in of an era of automation and a paperless working environment where information flows seamlessly to empower people to make real-time decisions.”
Discover why Kathy Ann believes that leveraging KPMG’s alliances with global technology providers can make the difference across the Caricom region.
Please describe your role at KPMG and the kind of work you do.
In addition to my role within Technology Consulting for KPMG in Caricom, I also have the privilege of being the ServiceNow Alliance Lead for the region, an extension of KPMG’s global alliance with the software company. On a daily basis, I work closely with my clients to uncover innovative ways in which they can harness the power of information technology to achieve their business objectives. These objectives can include fostering business growth, optimizing operational efficiency, or effectively handling the risks associated with the execution of business transformation initiatives. Essentially, my role centers on assisting clients in facilitating their technology-enabled business transformations.
For you, what are the key strengths of working with alliances?
At KPMG in Caricom, we've selected three strategic alliances in our ecosystem—IBM, ServiceNow, and Microsoft—based on a comprehensive market assessment aligned with our clients' evolving needs.
Working with KPMG and our strategic alliances presents invaluable benefits to our clients in their business transformation projects.
Key is that our alliances embody a powerful synergy, marrying cutting-edge technology solution with KPMG's extensive industry knowledge and insights. So, when clients work with us, not only are they implementing state-of-the-art technologies, but they also tap into KPMG’s technical expertise in strategy, change management, compliance, risk mitigation and project management, just to name a few.
The second benefit is that we come equipped with well-defined accelerators that serve as industry benchmarks, showing precisely what excellence in your field looks like. This translates to faster time-to-value when compared to traditional implementation approaches. We understand that for our clients, time is of the essence, and in business, time equals money.
Lastly, these well-defined alliances help us to create a tailored solution for our client’s unique needs. For instance, as an Alliance Lead, I understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to digital transformation: while ServiceNow helps organizations to streamline and digitize processes and workflows, leading to efficient service delivery and potential cost savings, a client might have needs that are better met using the suite of AI-enabled tools offered by Microsoft, or even a larger scale enterprise solution, for which IBM might be a better fit. Having these options at our fingertips helps us to deliver tailored solutions that drive our client’s success, regardless of their challenges.
“We don’t just aim to deliver technology; we deliver the human side of transformation.”
- Kathy Ann Nicholson, KPMG Caricom
What’s the result of blending technology and human knowledge?
IYou hear a lot about digital transformation, and it means different things to different people, but at the heart of is people. For instance, if you implement a new accounting solution for a company without reorienting the people then you would have wasted a lot of time and money on a system that doesn’t get used effectively to achieve its intended results.
What we do at KPMG is to help manage the people side of the technology-enabled transformation. Our strategy centers on orchestrating our client’s transformative journey, ensuring buy-in from all stakeholders, shaping organizational structures, defining new roles, establishing governance structures, and crafting resonant messages that align with the vision. Equally crucial is our commitment to providing comprehensive training and adeptly managing risks along the way.
The result? We don’t just aim to deliver technology; we deliver the human side of transformation.
What does alliance-enabled business transformation in the Caribbean look like?
Alliance-enabled business transformation in the Caribbean paints a picture of efficiency and progress. For the Caribbean, this can translate into the ushering in of an era of automation and a paperless working environment where information flows seamlessly which then empowers people to make real-time decisions.
We’ve heard of so many instances where paper files mysteriously vanish; alliance-enabled business transformation will bring a higher level of transparency into the equation. Many governments are now embracing digital record-keeping, a significant leap forward. However, true transformation lies in automating these processes, paving the way for the next phase of evolution
In your view, how are KPMG people making the difference?
In my 24 years of being with KPMG, what truly defines our projects is their profound impact on people's lives. It's not just about profit margins; it's also about reshaping the way individuals access vital services across a wide range of industries.
We also make a difference by going above and beyond for our clients. We're not just service providers; we're advisors in their journey. We bring a blend of local expertise and international experience to deliver top-quality work.
What advice would you give to a young professional joining the firm?
One of the incredible facets of KPMG is its versatility. You can start your professional journey in any service line—whether it's Tax, Audit, or Advisory—and even in one country, and find yourself in a completely different role or location than what you envisaged. I would say to that young person: follow your passion, wholeheartedly embrace learning opportunities, actively contribute, and you'll thrive. What you learn today will be your springboard for the future.
