Savvy Talk
47 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 23 ratingsSavvyTalk is hosted by Maha Abouelenein, who brings you communication strategies and trends for businesses, drawing from her vast experience as a professional storyteller and PR expert for the world’s largest companies.
Maha has more than 28 years of experience, advising top government and corporate leaders. She is the Founder and Managing Director of Organizational Consultants, a strategic communications firm with offices in the USA, Dubai and Cairo.
Maha has been managing communications for GaryVee’s brand for the past five years and has worked on all the major global sporting events including the African Cup of Nations in Egypt, the Olympics in the UK and the USA, 2 NBA All-Star Games, 4 NFL SuperBowls, and 8 Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments. She is an avid football fan and holds a Masters Degree in Communications from Minnesota State University – Mankato, USA and an undergraduate degree in International Business & Marketing with a minor in French.
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Episodes
Entrepreneur, Nutritionist and Mother - Fayrouz Eid
June 13, 2022 13:00 - 32 minutesOn today's episode, I'm joined by my dear friend Fayrouz Eid. A talented entrepreneur, nutritionist, and mother of two adorable kids. Her passion for entrepreneurship made her build The Wellb, a company focused on helping people find long-lasting sustainable nutrition so they can get healthier and reach their goals. We first met while I was involved in a project of introducing Netflix to the Middle East. As a good chat between friends, in this episode we go all over the place, from talking ab...
ART IS AN INVESTMENT - Nadine Abdel Ghaffar
May 10, 2022 13:29 - 20 minutesNadine Abdel Ghaffar is the Founder and General Manager of Art D'Égypte and is my guest for this weeks show. She is an extraordinary woman that supports and promotes the Egyptian art and culture scene in bold ways never done before - including a massive installation at the Pyramids which seemed impossible to execute. We talked about traditional art, about digital art and its potential. I leave you with her quote: "Don't buy bags, buy art. Art is an investment." Let me know when you’re booking...
Art is an investment - Nadine Abdel Ghaffar
May 10, 2022 13:29 - 20 minutesNadine Abdel Ghaffar is the Founder and General Manager of Art D'Égypte and is my guest for this weeks show. She is an extraordinary woman that supports and promotes the Egyptian art and culture scene in bold ways never done before - including a massive installation at the Pyramids which seemed impossible to execute. We talked about traditional art, about digital art and its potential. I leave you with her quote: "Don't buy bags, buy art. Art is an investment." Let me know when you’re booking...
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE - Mazen Yassen | Savvy Talk Podcast Season #4
April 20, 2022 16:37 - 41 minutesIn today's episode, I'm joined by Mazen Yassen, the Content Creator behind Justagoproer. Also actor, director and artist Manager. I have followed his work for about 6 to 7 years. We talked about his trajectory from the corporate world, where he stayed for 14 years, to then becoming an artist and content creator, a word that didn't even exist back then. Everything started to happen when he bought a GoPro and self-taught how to edit videos. We talked about inspiration, the hard work that conten...
It’s never too late - Mazen Yassen
April 20, 2022 16:37 - 41 minutesIn today's episode, I'm joined by Mazen Yassen, the Content Creator behind Justagoproer. Also actor, director and artist Manager. I have followed his work for about 6 to 7 years. We talked about his trajectory from the corporate world, where he stayed for 14 years, to then becoming an artist and content creator, a word that didn't even exist back then. Everything started to happen when he bought a GoPro and self-taught how to edit videos. We talked about inspiration, the hard work that conten...
INNOVATION, INVESTIMENTS, BLOCKCHAIN, FAMILY - Naguib Sawiris | Savvy Talk Podcast Season #4
April 05, 2022 05:00 - 32 minutesIn today's episode I am sharing my conversation with the chairman of Weather Investments's parent company, the former chairman and CEO of Orascom Telecom Holding, my former boss and mentor, Naguib Sawiris, at this amazing event, RiseUp Summit in Egypt. Back in 2017, I interviewed him for his first appearance at Rise Up and once again I had this pleasure at the end of 2021. We had the chance to talk about innovation and how it requires a little bit of craziness, investments, and family. We als...
Innovation, Investments, Blockchain, Family - Naguib Sawiris
April 05, 2022 05:00 - 32 minutesIn today's episode I am sharing my conversation with the chairman of Weather Investments's parent company, the former chairman and CEO of Orascom Telecom Holding, my former boss and mentor, Naguib Sawiris, at this amazing event, RiseUp Summit in Egypt. Back in 2017, I interviewed him for his first appearance at Rise Up and once again I had this pleasure at the end of 2021. We had the chance to talk about innovation and how it requires a little bit of craziness, investments, and family. We als...
MOMMY'S HAPPY HOUR - Heba Shunbo | Savvy Talk Podcast Season #4
March 21, 2022 14:00 - 20 minutesOn today’s episode I’m joined by Heba Shunbo. She’s such an amazing personality—entrepreneur, interior designer, writer, podcast host, wife, mother of twins and one of the sisters behind the bakery The Four Fat Ladies. And just in time for Mother’s Day check out her book called "Mommy's Happy Hour." Love the new cover Heba!!! We got a chance to connect in Cairo about life as a modern mom and all the things — spoiler alert: the book is not about drinking ;-) And if you haven’t tried their carr...
Mommy’s Happy Hour - Heba Shunbo
March 21, 2022 14:00 - 20 minutesOn today’s episode I’m joined by Heba Shunbo. She’s such an amazing personality—entrepreneur, interior designer, writer, podcast host, wife, mother of twins and one of the sisters behind the bakery The Four Fat Ladies. And just in time for Mother’s Day check out her book called "Mommy's Happy Hour." Love the new cover Heba!!! We got a chance to connect in Cairo about life as a modern mom and all the things — spoiler alert: the book is not about drinking ;-) And if you haven’t tried their carr...
Maha’s talk at the RiseUp Summit in Egypt
March 07, 2022 12:00 - 30 minutesIn today’s episode, you guys will watch my talk at this amazing event, RiseUp Summit in Egypt. I shared my thoughts on how you can connect with your audience and build your brand through cultural relevance and storytelling having nothing less than the pyramids of Egypt as the background. An outstanding conference that brought together people like Nadine Abdel Ghaffar founder of Art D'Égypte; actress Amira Adeeb; and for the second time I interviewed Naguib Sawiris. I will share this interview...
Sometimes there is no solution – Omar Samra | Savvy Talk Podcast Season #4
January 25, 2022 06:00 - 40 minutesWe are launching Season 4 with a special series from newsmakers and shakers from Egypt! And then get ready we have an NFT edition, a Dubai edition and SO MUCH MORE. On today’s episode I’m joined by Omar Samra. He’s such an amazing personality—both an entrepreneur and as someone who has scaled amazing mountains and peaks in his life. He is the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest, also is one of 40 known people to accomplish the "Explorers Grand Slam" challenge, which include climbing the hi...
Good Managers & Good Employees
March 22, 2021 18:30 - 10 minutesThis week, we're talking about the qualities of good managers, and how to improve your own visibility as an employee. Maha shares how the role of the manager should be like that of a coach--someone who is motivating you to perform better, and help you grow.
Maha answers your questions
March 15, 2021 07:00 - 12 minutesThis week, Maha answers questions we’ve received through the podcast and on Instagram over the last few weeks. On this episode, how to market a new pizza place with a shoestring budget, does Maha play tennis, can you make a ‘big’ announcement entirely organically, and a few more!
Should you be on Clubhouse?
March 01, 2021 08:30 - 11 minutesThis week, Maha shares her thoughts on why Clubhouse is working, the power of social audio and her tips to consider if you'd like to engage on the platform. You can connect with her on Clubhouse, where she'll be hosting more rooms over the next few weeks. You can DM her on on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/digitalandsavvy) for more.
Your network is your net-worth
January 18, 2021 17:30 - 10 minutesA key takeaway for Maha to help get through periods like we've had last year were her relationships. Maha shares how she categorises them and recommends you get out your notebook and write down the relationships you will look after in the coming year.
The Future of Work in 2021
January 11, 2021 07:00 - 15 minutes2020 changed a lot of our work behaviours—everything from working from home, running meetings & projects via video conferencing and tech-based collaboration tools, and the change of that work-life balance. On the episode, Maha shares her top 10 markers for what the future of work holds in the new year and how businesses should adapt. Tell us what the future of your workplace looks like by connecting with Maha on Instagram.
2021: Intention & Attention
January 04, 2021 06:30 - 20 minutesHappy New Year everyone! We're kicking off 2021 with Maha's top learnings from the year that was, and her outlook for everything you need to pay attention to over the next 12 months. She also shares why 2021 is the year of intention & attention.
Maha’s tips on adding value to a business
September 14, 2020 11:30 - 17 minutesMaha often talks about creating value--for yourself and for others--and this episode features a few tips on how to get started on that process of value creation. She also shares a few pointers on how to define that value for a client so that it's a win-win for everyone.
8 Practical tips for essential communication
August 10, 2020 07:00 - 18 minutesWe've been facing a huge shift in everything we do thanks to the circumstances around us--from how we live and shop to how we communicate with each other. On this episode, Maha shares 8 tips on communicating the essentials, how we can learn from all this and how we can build new skills.
Maha on creating value & networking in the post-Covid era (Channel 4 Interview)
August 03, 2020 10:00 - 8 minutesMaha joins Nimi on Channel 4 to talk about how you can get started on creating your personal brand and adding value to every relationship.
Instagram Live with Alli Webb, founder of DryBar.
June 27, 2020 07:00 - 36 minutesAs we continue this season helping you built the toolkit you need, I’m also going to be talking to entrepreneurs and brand owners about how they're dealing with the circumstances and impacts of the pandemic. My guest for this episode is the CEO & Founder of DryBar, Alli Webb. We got together on Instagram a couple weeks ago to chat about what got her started as an entrepreneur over a decade ago, how she manages so many branches with consistency and the burning question you've all been asking--...
Crisis Communications in a Pandemic
June 16, 2020 12:30 - 23 minutesHey everyone, it's been a while and I hope you're all staying safe. We're back this week and starting off with an episode on my insights on how brands and companies should communicate during a crisis especially as it relates to Covid-19. Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks as we continue to navigate the situation.
Maha’s 2020 outlook
January 04, 2020 12:00 - 18 minutesHappy New Year everyone! This week, I'm sharing my top 10 things to keep an eye on in 2020--for your communication strategy and for yourself too. Plus, details about my upcoming bootcamp in Dubai.
Down Under with GaryVee (our closed door session at GVx in Sydney)
December 29, 2019 11:00 - 17 minutesIn August I was in Australia with Gary Vaynerchuk as part of a deep-dive session called the GaryVee Experience (GVx), where attendees get time with everyone who works with Gary--David Rock, Tyler Schmitt, Claude Silver ... and me! I covered a session on earned media, and on this episode, you'll hear me with Gary during our closed-door session talking about some tips & working together.
The jewel of Egypt, Azza Fahmy
December 19, 2019 14:00 - 19 minutesExcited to share my first Arabic interview with the jewel of Egypt, Azza Fahmy. Azza is the founder of a Jewellery company that works to bring timeless jewellery through modern & eclectic cultural designs. I talk to her about starting out in an entirely male-dominated industry 50 years ago to celebrities wearing her designs today. Please let us know what you think of this episode, you can drop us a review on Apple Podcasts or DM us on Instagram [@digitalandsavvy](https://instagram.com/digi...
Purpose driven news, with Katie Couric
December 12, 2019 10:30 - 26 minutesIf you're a news junkie, Katie Couric needs no introduction. She's a journalist, an author and has been a significant part of the success stories of the US' three major TV networks that dominated the 80s and 90s--ABC, CBS & NBC, not to mention her work with CNN & Yahoo News as well. 15 years after being inducted into the TV Hall of Fame in 2004, we sat down at her home in the Hamptons to find out what she's been upto since she left the networks.
The region’s telecom man, Osman Sultan
August 09, 2019 07:00 - 25 minutesOn this episode, the man who has been instrumental in driving the telecommunication industry in our region not once, but twice. Osman Sultan was the founding CEO of [Mobinil](https://www.orange.eg/en/), the first large scale integrated telecom company in the region, and in 2007 became the founding CEO of the UAE’s second telecoms company, [Du](https://du.ae). I’m honored Osman Sultan gave me insights into his playbook for this episode along with his vision for the industry in the years to com...
‘Adults are like big children,’ with Anas Bukhash
July 24, 2019 15:00 - 24 minutesI hope you’ve been enjoying our second season where I’m talking to movers & shakers about their brands, their companies and their stories. I’m joined on this episode by serial entrepreneur Anas Bukhash about his businesses and his strategy of trying everything at least once. His story is about how working to build a career in something you’re passionate about defines you and your journey; and sometimes, it makes you stumble on what eventually makes you successful. I’d love to get your fee...
The artist entrepreneur, with Janan Shihadeh
July 10, 2019 18:45 - 16 minutesMy guest today is Janan Shihadeh, who herself a bag customizer, muralist and an art-a-holic. She doesn’t consider herself an entrepreneur but I do—she’s found a way to make her passion work for her customers, creates great content and everyone’s trying to copy her style.
Go for it at 70%, with Ghizlan Guenez
June 29, 2019 07:00 - 25 minutesOn this episode, I sit down with Ghizlan Guenez, a frustrated shopper who pivoted her career from finance to fashion. Ghizlan is the founder of the Modist, a luxury brand dedicated to dressing modestly.
Don’t fake it till you make it, with GaryVee
June 05, 2019 13:00 - 16 minutesWelcome to a new season of Savvy Talk! This season I’m going to be talking to amazing people who have built a personal or business brand worth emulating and learing from. And there is no better person to kick off this new season than Gary Vaynerchuk. I’ve been fortunate to get to know Gary Vee a lot over the last year and I wanted to try and capture Gary unplugged. He’s a busy guy, so the best way to get my questions answered was to catch him as he drove between meetings.
15: Ramadan is Coming
April 29, 2019 18:00 - 7 minutesWith Ramadan around the corner, we’d like to take this opportunity to wish you Ramadan Kareem! This week, Maha shares her tips on how to use this period to launchpad initiatives that give back to the community, your customers & even your employees and partners.
14: Leveling up
April 15, 2019 13:00 - 9 minutesHow do you take your communication skills to the next level? This week, Maha shares why everyone should consider having a coach-—to improve the way you communicate, but also to sharpen your skills whether you’re a CEO or an employee. We also have some fun announcements about Maha’s workshops and upcoming news about the show!
13: Pitch perfect
April 08, 2019 13:00 - 8 minutesWe’ve spoken about previous episodes about good media relationships. One key aspect of this is pitching stories to get coverage for your business or brand. This week, Maha shares her thoughts on what makes a good story, and how to go about developing your pitch.
12: Epic PR Fails
April 01, 2019 13:00 - 8 minutesEven the biggest companies make mistakes. This week, Maha shares her lessons & tips on how to avoid these PR pitfalls and what we can learn from brands who’ve made mistakes in the past.
11: Working with Agencies
March 25, 2019 13:00 - 7 minutesAs every business or brand evolves, you outgrow your internal teams and need to work with a PR agency. This week, Maha helps you understand that tipping point and how to get started onboarding an agency and working with them to ensure a win-win partnership.
10: How to grow your audience
March 18, 2019 13:00 - 7 minutesEvery business and brand needs an audience to tell their story, to create value and to grow their brand—whether a product or a service. This week, Maha shares her six tips on how to grow your audience, and build a base of consistent and loyal followers.
9: How to master media relations
March 11, 2019 13:00 - 8 minutesThis week, Maha talks about why developing good media relationships is so important for good Public Relations, and how to get started with some tips on working with reporters & packaging your stories. **Packaging a story** Give the journalist all the information for them to understand your brand story and give them assets they need to tell your story. Package your story with information they need to share it! * Written Content: Your narrative in a press release * Written Content: Fact Shee...
8: Working with influencers
March 04, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutesThis week, Maha talks about influencers—how to identify the right ones to work with your brand to onboarding and establishing a win-win relationship with them, as well as some potential pitfalls.
7: Understanding PR vs Advertising
February 25, 2019 13:00 - 12 minutesThis week, Maha explains the key differences between Public Relations and Advertising, and how the two functions can complement each other for your brand.
6: The art of storytelling
February 18, 2019 17:30 - 11 minutesAs a brand, how you convey your brand message matters. This week, Maha shares how storytelling leads to communication that is both effective and impactful, and how to tell a great story in the age of speed & noise.
5: The power of audio
February 11, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutesThis week, Maha shares more about why she believes ‘audio is the new video,’ and everything you need to know about how you can leverage voice for your brand. Plus, some quick tips on how to get started with podcasting. You can subscribe in your favourite podcast player by looking for “Savvy Talk” and follow [Digital & Savvy on Instagram](https://instagram.com/digitalandsavvy) for more updates and tips.
4: PR For Startups
February 04, 2019 13:00 - 7 minutesHow do you leverage PR as a start-up without an agency or an in-house team? This week, Maha gives you the tips to be a PR Ninja — from preparing your assets, to working with media and leveraging events. We’ll be talking a lot more about PR on a shoe-string budget this year, so stay tuned! You can subscribe in your favourite podcast player by looking for “Savvy Talk” and follow Digital & Savvy on Instagramfor more updates and tips.
3: Handling a crisis
January 28, 2019 06:40 - 11 minutesThe absolute worst time to prepare for a crisis is when you’re in one! This week, Maha shares her insights on how to be better prepared to meet a crisis head on, what your brand should do in the face of a PR crisis and some tips on making sure you learn from each mistake. Subscribe to Savvy Talk in your favourite podcast player or streaming app by searching for Savvy Talk. We’re also on [Alexa](https://www.amazon.com/Amaeya-FM-Savvy-Talk/dp/B07LCD49PB/). You can also follow [Digital & Savvy o...
2: Building a personal brand
January 21, 2019 06:30 - 11 minutesShould you build a personal brand? How do you go about defining it and where do you start? On this episode, Maha tells you the lowdown on personal branding, defining a brand message and some tips on getting started & some key advice you haven’t heard before. You can subscribe to the show in any podcast player, or your favorite streaming app, just look for ‘Savvy Talk’. We’re also on [Alexa](https://www.amazon.com/Amaeya-FM-Savvy-Talk/dp/B07LCD49PB/ You can also [follow Digital & Savvy on Inst...
1: Maha’s top 5 for 2019
January 14, 2019 06:30 - 9 minutesAs we kick off 2019 let's think about how you can grow and evolve. I don’t really believe in new year's resolutions, but I do believe in reflecting and pausing as its about growing! This episode is based on an article I wrote where I ask 5 questions you should ask yourself based on trends that will boost you in 2019. You can subscribe to the show in any podcast player, or your favorite streaming app, just look for ‘Savvy Talk’. You can also follow Digital & Savvy on Instagram.
Welcome to Savvy Talk!
January 09, 2019 14:00 - 2 minutes - 3.81 MBLaunching next week, Savvy Talk brings you weekly insights, tips, and lessons from communication strategies employed by some of the Middle East’s iconic brands.