Give yourself the edge in a competitive world
an innovative and immersive
'live' and online program
for Gen-Z around the world
About The Edge
My Mission
To empower the next generation of young professionals with the real-world skills, confidence, and global perspective they need to thrive in a competitive and every changing world
My Approach
By blending immersive hands-on challenges, collaborative learning-by-doing, and continuous self-reflection, I equip young people from all backgrounds with the essential skills and personal growth mindset necessary to shape their futures with confidence.
At the heart of 'the edge' is an interactive, challenge-based curriculum where you will work in a team - delivered live and online using the latest digital tools.
My Background
I’m Cengiz Somay and have over 25 years experience as a senior executive across industry, government, academia, and - most recently - as a qualified teacher, private tutor, mentor and coach to young people.
This broad experience has given me unique insights into how to engage, motivate, and equip young people for success.
Program Overview
Learn, practice and collaborate with other Gen-Z from around the world
An immersive 'live' online 10 week program that harnesses the power of experiential learning and use of the latest digital tools to equip you with the essential skills needed to thrive in the real-world.
Each week you will develop new practical technical skills blended with essential personal skills that you will practice throughout the program.
The Edge program culminates in a pitch competition for a chance to win £500 in seed capital to launch a new business venture aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
On successful completion of the Program, all participants are eligible for membership of The Edge alumni and associated benefits.
Program Detail
Week 1: Leadership & Management ~ Decision-making & Collaboration
Immerse yourself in collaborative exercises, real-time leadership simulations, and reflective discussions that sharpen your ability to lead, manage, and make effective decisions under pressure.
You’ll explore the differences between leadership and management, different leadership styles and discover your personal style through hands-on activities, and practice coordinating team efforts.
By tackling conflicting objectives, delegating tasks, and providing structured feedback, you leave with increased confidence in effectively guiding teams and adapting to rapidly changing scenarios.
Week 2: Strategy & Planning ~ Teamwork & Time Management
Refine your strategic planning, teamwork, and time management skills by exploring frameworks like SWOT and SMART goals. You’ll also use Asana, a leading project/task management digital tool, to break down tasks, set deadlines, and assign roles, ensuring efficient collaboration.
Through mini-lectures, group exercises, and hands-on practice, you’ll learn to prioritise responsibilities and work cohesively under real-world constraints.
By the end of the session, you’ll feel confident structuring objectives, juggling multiple tasks, and achieving measurable progress in any team project.
Week 3: Marketing & Branding ~ Communication & Influencing
Learn to craft compelling campaigns, build cohesive brand identities, and effectively engage target audiences. By experimenting with AI-driven tools (like Canva AI, ChatGPT and Deep Seek ) and organising tasks in Asana, you’ll explore core marketing concepts and refine your communication tactics and plan.
Through peer collaboration and practical exercises, you’ll develop a concise brand statement, visual assets, and a clear call to action - empowering you to influence audiences and stand out in competitive markets.
Week 4: Finance & Budgeting ~ Managing Finances
Learn the essentials of financial literacy - covering income, expenses, profit/loss, and core budgeting techniques. Using tools like Google Sheets, you’ll practice building forecasts, tracking spending, and evaluating financial strategies for personal and business contexts.
Through hands-on exercises and collaborative discussions, you’ll see how to optimise resources, anticipate challenges, and make well-informed decisions.
By session’s end, you’ll feel confident navigating finance basics and applying smart money management to real-world scenarios, including in your own personal life.
Week 5: Operations ~ Negotiating
Examine the fundamentals of supply chain management—including workflow design, ethical sourcing, and quality control—while strengthening your negotiating abilities.
Through hands-on activities, you’ll practice setting clear objectives, deploying BATNA strategies, and seeking win-win outcomes.
By session’s end, you’ll know how to maintain efficient operations, balance competing demands, and confidently negotiate supplier relationships for real-world success.
Week 6: People Management & Culture ~ Networking
Learn to hire effectively, cultivate positive workplace culture, and provide meaningful feedback. You’ll also build both in-person and online networking skills, using platforms like LinkedIn to broaden professional connections.
By crafting HR strategies in Asana and engaging in role-play exercises, you’ll see how strong people management and purposeful networking can profoundly shape team performance and future opportunities.
Week 7: Entrepreneurship & Innovation ~ Personal Branding
Through practical exercises, you’ll learn to validate market needs, communicate your vision, and stand out with a polished personal brand -essential for entrepreneurial success. nising tasks in Asana, you’ll create and pitch compelling concepts.
Through practical exercises, you’ll learn to validate market needs, communicate your vision, and stand out with a polished personal brand - essential for entrepreneurial success.
Week 8: Ethics & CSR ~ Interviewing Skills
Delve into core ethical principles, explore Corporate Social Responsibility, and refine your professional interview techniques. Through real-world case studies and debates, participants identify ethical dilemmas, analyse stakeholder impacts, and propose responsible business practices.
By leveraging Interview Simulators and role-playing both interviewer and interviewee scenarios, you will learn to give concise, impactful answers and ask insightful questions, enhancing your credibility and stand out from the competition.
Week 9: Crisis Management ~ Stress Management
You’ll finalise your Seed Investment Pitch materials while learning techniques to stay composed in high-pressure situations. Through guided breathing exercises, mental reframing, and a simulated business crisis, you’ll refine your ability to adapt and deliver under stress.
By session’s end, you’ll feel prepared to handle last-minute challenges having practices effective communication, resource allocation, and leadership tactics to maintain stability and credibility during high-stakes challenges so you can confidently showcase your final presentation.
Week 10: Seed Investment Pitch ~ Career Road Mapping
Synthesise your learning over the program into a professional pitch, presenting your sustainable business idea to peers, mentors, and potential investors for feedback.
After receiving targeted feedback, you’ll shift to building a personal career roadmap - identifying clear goals, networking opportunities, and next-step strategies.
By the session’s end, you’ll not only celebrate your achievements but also walk away with a defined plan for ongoing growth and success.
Seed Capital Opportunity
During The Edge program, you and your team will enhance both technical and personal skills, culminating in a pitch competition for a chance to win £500 in seed capital to launch a new business venture with your team members, aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Post Program benefits
Free Alumni Membership
Continue your growth journey by joining The Edge’s global community, where you can expand your personal and professional networks and stay connected with fellow alumni.
Free Alumni-only Masterclasses
Enhance your technical and professional skills through exclusive webinars covering topics such as fintech trends, investment basics, leadership essentials, and more.
Free Online resources
Access a curated online library packed with expert advice, best practices, and new insights - right at your fingertips.
Annual Global Edge Virtual Summit
Come together with like-minded peers from around the world to share experiences, discover new opportunities, and celebrate success stories - every year.
Ongoing Mentoring & Coaching
Exclusive discounts for one-to-one mentoring and coaching