The IABC EMENA Podcast

Welcome to the International Association of Business Communicators EMENA region podcast hosted by Monique Zytnik. Based in the Manchester area of the UK, Advita Patel is the Director of CommsRebel who helps organisations build a culture that thrives. Advita recently published her book, which she co-authored with Priya Bates. Called: Building a Culture of Inclusivity, it helps Internal Communication professionals, HR and business leaders engage employees in driving culture change to ensure everyone feels valued and like they belong. Today we’re lucky to also be joined by Priya Bates, who is joining us from her office in Ontario, Canada. She is the president of Inner Strength Communication, IABC Fellow and also a huge influencer in the internal communication space.

Join us for a discussion with IABC International Executive Board member Katie Macaulay. Katie is a leading voice in communications. She is managing director of AB, the world’s first specialist employee communication agency, founded in 1964, and host of The Internal Comms Podcast. Katie sits on the Board of the International Association of Business Communicators and is a guest lecturer at Cranfield Management School. Katie was named ‘Change Maker’ by the Institute of Internal Communication. In all, her career in corporate, employee and change communications spans more than three decades.\ Don't forget to sign up or renew your IABC membership! Thank you to our editor Michael Kümritz, and John Philips. Subscribe to Katie's Friday Update: www.abcomm.co.uk/Friday 12 episodes for 12 IC challenges:  www.linkedin.com/pulse/internal-comms-podcast-12-challenges-conversations-katie-macaulay/ Katie's LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/katie-macaulay-2b80b88/ Monique's LinkedIn profile: https:/www.linkedin.com/in/moniquezytnik Wishing you a happy festive season!

You know when you meet someone and you just have a great vibe? After a short conversation, you’ve already worked out if you would or wouldn’t like working with them. You feel that they get you, or they won’t. Well, this is our topic in today’s episode. Ben Wickham is a fellow communications person, storyteller and specialist in organiszational behaviour and team dynamics from Utrecht in the Netherlands.

Every profession needs to be founded on research. If it is research, understanding and debate on art, mathematics or science, discussion is essential for airing of opinions and challenging ideas. In this episode Mike Klein and Dr Kevin Ruck debate the latest internal communication research. Dr Kevin Ruck is the co-founder of PR Academy which is the largest Chartered Institute of Public Relations accredited teaching centre. Not only is he is the editor and co-author of the leading text book, Exploring Internal Communication but he has also written numerous academic journal articles and chapters, AND is a member of the editorial advisory board of the Journal of Communication Management. Not one to rest on his laurels, Kevin has just completed another book, co-authored with Mike Pounsford and Howard Krais, called ‘Leading the Listening Organisation: Creating organisations that flourish’. This will be released by Routledge in 2024. Kevin is based in London. Mike Klein is an internal and social communication consultant based in Iceland, but as many of our globe trotting members, he has lived and worked in many countries including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and the US. I’m sure we’ll all agree that Mike’s super power is super-connecting - identifying people whom he thinks are worth introducing to each other, and then introducing them to each other. Mike is the founder of #WeLeadComms, and a prolific writer and speaker. If you are interested in being a part of our IABC EMENA Region community visit iabcemena.com for more information or reach out to us on LinkedIn. Thank you to our podcast editor Michael Kümritz and all of our IABC EMENA region members for your continued support.

Today's guest is Gloria Walker, who is not only a professor of practice at Hult International Business School and Associate Lecturer at London College of Communication, but she is also a Strategic Communications Consultant and owner of her own business. Gloria has that glorious position of one foot in academia and teaching and the other in the practicalities of clients, business and real-world work. Gloria has been our IABC EMENA treasurer for a number of years and not only does she have so much industry context, but she has a great understanding of our association.

Bold new frontiers for communication or digital hype? Our panel discussion brings to the fore what many of us have been thinking. With so much noise and so little time, what do we really need to know right now in our digital realm? Is social media done? Is AI friend or foe? What is the real tech baseline minus the fanfare for comms? Through an engaging expert panel session hosted by IABC EMENA's region, we'll unpack these questions, help you make sense of the present, and give you confidence stepping into the future of our communication profession. Catalina Gardescu: Incoming Director of Marketing, Communication and Admissions, Copenhagen International School Stephanie Pilon: Vice President Digital Marketing & Managing Director, The Adecco Group Phil Riggins: Founder and CEO, The Brand & Reputation Collective Monique Zytnik: Regional Lead DACH, Open Communication Group This event was part of the IABC EMENA Region's successful City Connect Series, following events in Barcelona, London, Amsterdam , Krakow and Lisbon. Learn more about IABC EMENA: https://iabcemena.com

With artificial intelligence leaping ahead in content production and all areas of communications, join us as we talk with marketing and public relations agency leaders Jasna Suhadolc and Ana Margarida Ximenes about what is changing right now and the opportunities that lie ahead. Jansna Suhadolc is from Slovenia and is a seasoned digital marketing expert, working with companies from all over the world. Her digital marketing agency is called Actuado and is a HubSpot Platinum Solutions partner. Jasna has a passion for new technologies and shares her knowledge as a guest professor, keynote speaker, and workshop facilitator. She has been an IABC member for over two decades and serves as the IABC Slovenia president, a long-time member of the Management Board of IABC EMENA, and is currently a PAC (Program Advisory Committee) member for the IABC World Conference in Toronto. Ana Magarida Ximenes is based on the other side of Europe, in Portugal and is president of Atreviva in Portugal, who are a global communication consultancy with offices in countries such as Spain, Brussels and the other side of the water in Brazil, Colombia and Chile to name a few. Ana is the IABC EMENA past chair and a member and Country Chapter Lead for Portugal of the European Association of Communication Directors. Ana has a background in journalism and helps clients with crisis communication, reputation and change management. Thank you to our podcast editor Michael Kümerz and all of our IABC EMENA members.

Want to know the latest on digital employee communication and digital workspaces? Tune in to our latest episode with Kurt Kragh Sørensen from IntraTeam in Denmark and Pete Johns from Swoop in the UK, with special guest DJ Bob, as they discuss the latest in developments and why measurement matters. DEX Benchmark (intranet, collaboration and ESN) https://intrateam.com/dex_benchmark_intranet_digital_workplace_esn Peer-to-Peer Networking groups https://intrateam.com/networking-groups Swoop analytics benchmarking report for Viva Engage (Yammer) https://www.swoopanalytics.com/yammer-bm-2022-23

Today’s guest is Adam Currie who is based in our Middle East region. He is a communicator with an impressive array of roles behind him. From copywriting for investment magazines in Canada to African leadership publications and then moving onto comms, Adam is now focused on safety communications for the world’s largest energy company. Like what you heard? Register for Adam's webinar on 8 March 2023 by going to our website at iabcemena.com. Drop us an email or share your thoughts on social. Thank you to our IABC EMENA board, members and also our podcast editor Michael Kümritz

Co-hosted by Monique Zytnik (IABC EMENA) and Ross Monaghan (IABC APAC), this intimate panel discussion, featuring Tineka Everaardt, Maria Farmer, Natalie Collard and Sally Goldner, will inspire you with stories and strategies of women who have stepped up to show what is possible. We also hear insights from Karen Matthews, Catalina Gardescu, Robert Andersson and Christine Elmer. Designed for communication professionals and entrepreneurs of all levels. This is actually a leadership discussion for people of all genders about what could be holding you back, real battles you may face and tactics to help you step up. Tineka Everaardt is an award-winning journalist, who has worked in the newsrooms of Channel 7 and Channel 9 as a senior producer and reporter. She was the Communications Manager at Priceline and a Senior Media Advisor for the Victorian State Opposition. Now she runs her own communications business, Everlist, offering media training, media releases, copywriting, and voice overs. She works closely with PR agencies who want a journalist’s perspective. Maria Farmer is one of the most experienced and formidable women in Australian public relations. Her company specialises in brand building, crisis management, publicity and public relations, offering bespoke solutions. With a history representing some of the best known creatives, actors, fashion and lifestyle brands, restaurateurs and authors in this country, her clients include Baz Luhrmann. Natalie Collard is the founder and CEO of Quartz Group offering human-centred executive coaching and leadership training. She is also the CEO for Food & Fibre – Great South Coast, on a mission to grow the south-west region of Victoria and its high-potential primary industries. Natalie’s previous roles include CEO of Australian Dairy Farmers and Chair of Women in Renewables. Sally Goldner is a diversity educator, speaker, life coach, MC and consultant. Her previous and current roles include founding member of Transgender Victoria, co-facilitating Transfamily, 3 CR’s “Out of the Pan” and Bisexual Alliance Victoria Treasurer. She received an Order of Australia in 2019, the 2015 LGBTI Victorian of the Year and joined the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2016. Thank you to IABC EMENA, IABC APAC for your support and Michael Kümritz our podcast editor.