Our colleagues at Perficient are incredibly caring, generous, and strive to make a difference through a collaborative spirit, drive for success, and pursuit of personal and professional growth opportunities. With Perficient’s Giving Employee Resource Group (ERG), all colleagues can participate in philanthropic initiatives, events, and volunteer opportunities that build a better world.
Blake Edler, a lead technical consultant, lives out Perficient’s values and mission to make a difference in the lives of others. Continue reading to learn more about Blake’s experience as a leader at Perficient, including his involvement with the Giving ERG and how he creates meaningful and genuine connections across our global company that inspire goodwill.
What is your role? Describe a typical day in the life.
Making waves on an adventurous water expedition.
A typical day in the life of a lead technical consultant in the Lafayette Delivery Center (LDC) consists of battling the humid swamp air while swatting away pesky mosquitos to grab a link of boudin, a sausage-like Cajun delicacy, on my way to the heart of downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. Here you can find me hacking away at various editors in php, JavaScript, C#, React, Angular, and more! While I’m thrilled to be a software developer, it doesn’t end there. Perficient has so much more to offer in ancillary opportunities.
Being a career guide and people manager for the LDC has really opened my eyes to the positive impact I can have to encourage others, and the two-way flow of knowledge when the relationship is truly symbiotic. I am an active member of several internal teams for the LDC including the Awards and Recognition Team and the Employee Engagement Team, which just recently wrapped a Game of Thrones competition and a Hogwarts competition for the whole office.
READ MORE: Learn About the Magical Hogwarts Competition at the LDC
My typical day also consists of interacting with colleagues and offering help where needed, like with our “DoomPod” community. Named after the collection of desks, or “pods,” found in the LDC, the DoomPod community drives opportunities for colleagues to share their expertise and assist others in developing their careers.
Whether big or small, how do you make a difference for our clients, colleagues, communities, or teams?
I am a co-chair of the Perficient Giving ERG Marketing and Communications Committee where I have the pleasure of working with professionals across the globe to bring goodwill to the local community and the world at large. As a co-chair of the committee, I am responsible for creating, proofreading, and editing communications materials. I also lead discussions with committee members, assist colleagues with sharing their initiatives, and participate in events aimed at making a difference in the lives of others.
Doing what I can to help those around me daily is how I make a difference. I believe every individual is already exactly where they need to be to change the world. Making a difference is helping the person to the left and right of you.
READ MORE: Our Colleagues Take Pride in Giving Back to the Community
Why did you choose Perficient? What keeps you here?
What initially drew me to Perficient was without a doubt the warmth I felt with every single colleague I interacted with during the interviewing process. The feeling of a community or family was strong, and this is ultimately what swayed me to join. What keeps me here is the amazing individuals on various client projects and internal teams who I have the absolute pleasure of working with.
What advice would you give to colleagues who are starting their career with Perficient?
It is a common pitfall to succumb to the demands of an overly taxing workload, which can lead to burnout — a real and consequential phenomenon. My personal experience, and an approach I often advocate for, involves recognizing the extent of one’s control in such situations.
Engaging in open communication with project leaders is pivotal. By collaboratively devising a strategic plan that seamlessly integrates with the intricacies of your life, anyone can achieve a balance that not only safeguards against burnout but also fosters sustained professional growth. Remember, everyone can sculpt work-life harmony with a thoughtful and balanced plan.
Establishing meaningful connections with colleagues and acquaintances not only fosters a sense of camaraderie, but also lays the foundation for a collaborative and supportive work environment. Take the initiative to introduce yourself, attend team events, and participate in workplace activities.
By demonstrating genuine interest, you expand your professional network and contribute to a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Investing time and effort into building these connections is an investment in your own success and the overall workplace community.
How have you developed your career at Perficient?
Blake collecting donations to support Hunger Action Month.
There is no more precious resource in our lives than those around us. To make a real difference in the world, surrounding yourself with the right people is important. Every day, I am blessed to come to work in the LDC and work with colleagues that inspire and challenge me professionally – something that has greatly impacted my career at Perficient.
Learning to listen to people, helping others develop their potential, and clearing blockers was the catalyst for me to become a much more people-focused professional. Talking to everyone around me and figuring out ways to help engage them in our office has also played a role in revitalizing the culture.
READ MORE: Learn How the LDC is Making a Difference in their Community
What are you passionate about outside of work?
I love spending time with my beautiful wife of 20 years and my four children. In a post-pandemic world, we’ve finally had opportunities to explore our state more. We are adventurers, hikers, kayakers, and rockhounds.
What’s something surprising people might not know about you or your background?
In the early 2000’s, I was traveling on a ship through the Caribbean with millions of dollars’ worth of contraband and flying the Jolly Roger flag.
Yes, this is a fact. Let me explain – I was in the Navy on a counter-drug deployment where we had a record-breaking number of seizures of contraband. While transporting the contraband we were authorized to fly the Jolly Roger standard.
It’s no secret our success is because of our people. No matter the technology or time zone, our colleagues are committed to delivering innovative, end-to-end digital solutions for the world’s biggest brands, and we bring a collaborative spirit to every interaction. We’re always seeking the best and brightest to work with us. Join our team and experience a culture that challenges, champions, and celebrates our people.
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