Inspiring corporates to go digital

PwC lends legitimacy to Google’s solutions for the business world

The challenge

That Google is good at building platforms and helping solve big problems using technology is evidenced by the more than one billion people around the world who use its seven products. Where the American multinational technology company still has room for improvement is in its efforts to persuade corporates to adopt its products and get the greatest use out of them. And that’s where working with PwC can help.

Thierry Geerts, Country Director for Google in Belgium

               

Eliminating obstacles to enter the digital age

Despite being already available and in use today, many technologies are still considered futuristic by established companies, which too often still rely on their own servers rather than moving to the cloud, for example.

Their classic business models represent an additional hindrance to moving into the digital age. Explains Thierry Geerts, Country Director for Google in Belgium, “We’ve got the solutions, but seem to be very bad at explaining why they should make the switch to digital and the significant benefits it can bring to their organisation, such as greater efficiency and the ability to grow faster.”

Listening to a trusted advisor

With our role as a trusted advisor, supporting clients with the myriad of business challenges they face, Thierry Geerts believes that PwC is ideally placed to help persuade companies of the benefits of digitisation. “PwC shares our passion to help companies move into the digital era and lends legitimacy to our products. Their clients trust them to get it right,” he notes.

He believes that our reputation for change management and significant change capabilities will help make the difference.

 

"It’s one thing for us to advise organisations to go digital, but another for it to come from their trusted guide."

        

        

"With Google, every SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) in Belgium could reach more than three billion consumers with just one click."

Thierry GeertsCountry Director for Google in Belgium

       

          

Group of people brainstorming with post-its

A meeting of minds

Google’s strategic priority going forward is artificial intelligence (AI). The firm is seeking to move from searching and organising the world’s information to AI and machine learning, and it’s driving it forward across all its products and platforms to help solve important problems in the world. Similar transformations are going on in forward-looking companies all around the world.

As a professional services firm, PwC supports clients with all aspects of their digital transformation, covering all aspects including legislation, compliance, privacy, tax and more, from Strategy through Execution.

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See what Thierry Geerts, Country Director for Google in Belgium says about why he believes PwC can help persuade corporates to adopt Google’s products.

Corporate digitisation will drive Belgium’s future economy

Increasing the digitisation of Belgium’s corporate world would have a substantial positive impact on the national economy. Currently, just over four percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is based on digital, half that of the Netherlands and much less than the UK. The main reason Belgium currently lags behind could be the country’s more conservative nature.

Working together to help firms digitise their business, Thierry Geerts believes will help increase the digital share of the Belgian economy, as companies will become more successful.

"Becoming more digital means firms will grow faster and be able to create more jobs, many of which will be different to current professions. Firms that don’t get it right will feel it fast."

Thierry GeertsCountry Director for Google in Belgium

A true revolution

The adoption of AI and machine learning will be rapid and disrupt sectors in different ways. It will introduce new competition, with business models and structures needing to adapt for corporations to survive. Not just a concern for the top, Thierry Geerts says that all staff should understand the impact of digital. And should be involved in helping make and support the change.

He believes that working with PwC will help convince corporations of the role Google’s digital tools and applications can play in supporting business growth.

Contact us

Axel Smits

Axel Smits

Chairman & Territory Senior Partner, PwC Belgium

Tel: +32 490 65 88 94

Connect with PwC Belgium