If you’re a contract project manager or in a related role in Australia, you may have heard about the EDGE PLUS project management network, an innovative new approach to addressing some of the resourcing and role replenishment issues faced by professionals in this field.
With the network enjoying rapid growth since its inception and adding 25 to 50 new members every month, it is set to be a game changer in project sourcing and professional contracting in the Australian market. For those still new to the concept, EDGE PLUS founder Ed Jeffers was on hand to provide some insight into how it worked.
According to Ed, the primary focus for EDGE PLUS is “to develop a highly professional network of likeminded people with complementary skills and attitudes”, and to match those people to the best environment possible – both for contractors and those managers responsible for building teams to deliver on those projects.
This is achieved through a unique referral system, which sets EDGE PLUS apart from traditional and less efficient agencies. Ed believes the best way to source jobs for a demanding pool of contract professionals is to rely on word of mouth, as working with people already known in the industry provides a level of assurance and trust seldom found elsewhere.
“It’s so important to find people who are somehow known to each other or they have previously worked with, to create a positive – and most importantly, productive – team environment,” Ed says.
“Ultimately this is better for all of the parties involved.”
EDGE PLUS was largely borne out of Ed’s frustrations with traditional recruitment methods, a sentiment shared by many in the industry. It wasn’t long before he decided to take matters into his own hands and find a solution.
“I went out and interviewed a body of these professionals to better understand their frustrations and what it would take to make this whole process of resourcing and contracting a more positive experience,” he says.
“It’s the first time I have conducted a research campaign like this that had overwhelmingly unanimous results.”
One of the main differentiating factors of EDGE PLUS is that it is a highly exclusive network, with members joining by invitation or referral followed by an extensive vetting process. So what does it take to join the network?
First off, you need to be a senior professional with at least eight years of experience in your field of expertise, whether it be as a project manager, business analyst, change manager, project coordinator or PMO staff. You also need to know or be referred by someone already in the network. These two key conditions make up what Ed calls “a self-perpetuating collective process that grows organically, by the members, for the members.”
Members don’t just benefit from a career advancement point of view, either. EDGE PLUS has recently implemented an exclusive rewards and benefits program for its members, offering access to a range of services from weight management, dental plans to health care. Ed says that because the vast majority of members work on high-profile, high-pressure projects, there is a huge need to look after their everyday life needs and challenges.
“We think the benefits program is paramount in reinforcing our focus on the members and their families.”
Looking back on the year, Ed says it’s been a “pretty good” twelve months, with the Christmas season boding particularly well.
“There is quite a bit of interest and lots of people joining the network,” he says.
“I am not sure what the driver is but there seems to be a lot of activity in our space and at the same time a lot of interest in this new and fresh approach.”
Always looking to take EDGE PLUS to the next level, Ed is currently working on developing content to discuss and promote this new approach, along with the latest news and comments on the goings-on in the field. This can prove invaluable in reaching out to both existing members as well as those looking to join, he says.
“Of course, we are always looking for rich content and interesting stories about what is happening and extend an open invitation to anyone that wants to contribute,” he concludes.
Are you keen to join the latest revolution in project management sourcing? Get in touch with EDGE PLUS today and check out the member benefits.
