One of the best ways to connect with other VE professionals and experts is to join relevant professional associations, such as the Society of American Value Engineers (SAVE), the European Society of Value Analysis and Engineering (EVS), or the Institute of Value Management (IVM). These associations offer various benefits, such as access to publications, conferences, webinars, training, certification, awards, and networking events. You can also participate in their committees, chapters, and special interest groups to contribute to the advancement of VE and demonstrate your leadership skills.
ANZ + 4 Chapter for SAVE International was established in 2020 covering Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and PNG. The Chapter organises regular webinars and in collaboration with private sector provides training in Value Methodology Fundamental 1 (VMF-1) and Value Methodology Fundamental 2 (VMF-2) leading to certification as Value Methodology Associate (VMA) and Certified Value Specialist (CVS) respectively.
Another way to expand your network and learn from other VE practitioners is to attend conferences and events related to VE, such as the International Conference on Value Engineering and Management (ICVEM), the Value Summit, or the European Value Conference. These events provide opportunities to meet and interact with speakers, panelists, exhibitors, and attendees who share your interest and passion for VE. You can also exchange ideas, insights, and feedback, as well as showcase your work and achievements.
This is true, but there's also several conferences organized by the SAVE (Society of American Value Engineers)-International chapter, Canada also organize its own conferences in Value Analysis Canada. We in Value Engineering Academy also organize an Annual seminars on VE knowledge sharing known as Value Factory, online, where anyone is welcome to join and share their findings.
In addition to face-to-face interactions, you can also leverage online platforms and tools to collaborate and network with other VE professionals and experts. For example, you can use LinkedIn to create and join groups, follow influencers, post articles, comment on posts, and send messages to your contacts. You can also use Twitter to follow hashtags, join chats, share content, and engage with your followers. Moreover, you can use online forums, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and webinars to stay updated on the latest trends, developments, and challenges in VE.
Another tip to enhance your collaboration and networking skills is to seek mentors and mentees in the VE field. Mentors can provide you with guidance, advice, support, and feedback to help you grow professionally and personally. Mentees can benefit from your knowledge, experience, and expertise, as well as offer you a fresh perspective and a sense of fulfillment. You can find mentors and mentees through your professional associations, online platforms, or personal referrals.
This is true. In Indonesia, we adopt such practice where we would import external mentors in order to facilitate knowledge sharing of Value Engineering (VE). The Mentor shall support the mentees from preparing the workshop, until evaluating the VE study itself, seeking lesson learn and things to improve from the mentees.
Finally, to build and maintain strong relationships with other VE professionals and experts, you need to be proactive and generous. This means that you should initiate contact, follow up, and stay in touch with your network regularly. You should also offer value, help, and appreciation to your network whenever possible. For example, you can share useful resources, introduce potential partners, recommend opportunities, or acknowledge achievements. By doing so, you will establish trust, credibility, and goodwill among your network.