Taking Aim at LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook, Enterprising Eng-Clicks Execs Are Set to Unleash Game-Changing Features in Revolutionary Professional Network It’s difficult to imagine how a modern day start-up could possibly compete with massively popular social media giants like LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. In order to have any shot at attracting a massive user base of its own, the Eng-Clicks team decided that it first needed to build a truly valuable and innovative portal. The idea, says acting CEO and Vice-president Jean-Claude Chartrand, was that “investment would follow innovation. We wanted to build a great product that people could see and try out. It was a calculated risk to invest in development upfront like we did.” The risk, it seems, is paying off. The quality of the Eng-Clicks features completed and currently in development surpasses those offered by major web players like YouTube and LinkedIn. For example, EClicks TV will allow users to create their own training, learning or marketing channel. A categorized TV guide will be published and continuously updated, and users will have the ability to stream “shows” live or watch recorded sessions. Channel owners will be able to solicit new viewers from within the massive Eng-Clicks professional network – driven by the power of a sophisticated database that is unlike any other. Containing thousands of degree types, certifications and professional designations from around the world, the scope and size of the Eng-Clicks Qualifications Database (referred to casually as “QBase”) is unprecedented. Chartrand notes that QBase “is the end result of months of work – it is truly global and there is nothing like it on any other website.” The Eng-Clicks management team – which includes programming, engineering and business experts – believes that QBase is what sets it apart from other social media and networking tools. “On Eng-Clicks, we want people to be able to tell the world exactly who they are and what they do – no ‘other.’ The world is full of degrees and certifications and professional qualifications, and the idea that these things can be communicated and capitalized on is the whole purpose of Eng-Clicks.” QBase contains a wealth of precise information that will help Eng-Clicks users find one another. Rather than have a profile that identifies you as an engineer from France, you will be able to indicate that you are a practicing robotics engineer from Paris, with a 5-year Ingénieur diplômé (robotics specialization) from Polytech Paris-UPMC. By automating connection based on location and credentials, Eng-Clicks is allowing users to customize networking in a way that no other site currently can. QBase has potentially enormous implications not only for Eng-Clicks users, but for vendors who may serve the world’s technical and engineering professionals. Chartrand notes that the list is endless: “manufacturers, lawyers, accountants and recruiters…think about the number of engineers, tradespeople and information technology professionals throughout the world. We want Eng-Clicks to be the central hub for all of these people. This is a massive market, and Eng-Clicks will attract people simply because it offers true value. We think that the Eng-Clicks’ vendor benefit surpasses that of Alibaba because our suppliers are vetted for quality. We can also classify people and businesses very precisely – by goods or services.” Similarly, the financing module – Eng-Clicks Angel – is distinguishable from popular venture capital sites like Gust because it focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that need start-up capital. As Chartrand explains, “Gust tends to focus on high-tech, and government funding is difficult to secure quickly. There is a real gap here that we can fill for our user base while stimulating the growth of engineering and technical businesses.” Originally the brainchild of Canadian engineer Marin Vratonjic, the Eng-Clicks vision has expanded rapidly in over the past year. Vratonjic, who continues to lend more than a decade of technical and business expertise to the project, says that the creation of the portal is the result of careful analysis of existing tools, websites and professional processes. Jean-Claude Chartrand – who boasts decades of experience as an entrepreneur and innovator to Eng-Clicks – brings a unique perspective to the management team. The Eng-Clicks team believes that the portal has attracted capital investors because it ADDS value; it is not just “LinkedIn for technical professionals.” Rather than simply serving as a contact directory for the world’s engineering and technical professionals, Eng-Clicks has embedded tools for professionals, specialized modules for finding venture capital funding, active multimedia profile pages, employers and employees, a tender bidding module, and more. With the potential for users to set up buy and sell operations within the site, business intelligence software that vendors can control distribution of, and customized advertising solutions, it’s clear that the Eng-Clicks is determined not to miss anything. “Google has openly expressed regret over missing the social media boat, and this is something that our team has kept in mind since day one,” says Chartrand. “This is not a team that has been assembled with a primary goal of overtaking social media giants – which is frankly not feasible. This is a team that is first and foremost composed of engineering and technical professionals who understand the needs of their industry. This is a truly unique product that has been developed to meet specific needs. It is the whole package.” The best part, says Chartrand? “This is just the beginning. There is so much more to come.” Visit engclicks.ca to create your free profile today.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 01:27:19 +0000
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