I had the honor to work on that book project for this year’s
celebration. I also had the pleasure of getting to know nearly 90 retiring
partners from the United States, Canada, and Japan, in the process: each of
whom had a wonderful life and career story to tell.
In the course of those interviews, I asked partner John
Mendonco, of KPMG’s Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, office, for his thoughts on what
trends to expect this year in the area of finance and technology. During his
early days at KPMG, John headed up the computer Audit group. During his later
years, John specialized in technology and electronics companies, and was in
charge of the Information, Communications & Entertainment Audit practice
for Greater Washington DC.
“The topic I hear a lot about is ‘big data,’ John says. “The
amount of information gathered from people using the Internet is immense:
whether it is from shopping, social media, or search engines.”
“How this data can be analyzed and used over the next few
years will drive how advertising dollars are use, what content is delivered to
user and what new products are launched,” John believes. “There will be a huge
demand for people who have the analytical skills to analyze the data, so education
in this field has to grow.”
“I also see the continued demand for bandwidth as a major
driving force,” John continues. “With the seemingly endless expansion of smart phones,
tablets and smart TVs, and the connected home, there have to be improvements in
the delivery mechanisms.”
At the time I last communicated with John he had just
returned from the Consumer Electronic Show.
“This year I thought there were very breakthrough products,”
John notes. “Lots of improvements in TV size and picture; and emphasis on Smart
TV. But, frankly, I personally don't see what a smart TV does for me if my TV
service comes from Verizon FIOS, and I am locked into their programming.”
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