Ahmed El Tatawy, director of partnerships and growth at Localized: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of random business questions just for fun. Speaking to us this week is Ahmed El Tatawy (LinkedIn), director of partnerships and growth at Localized.

My name is Ahmed El Tatawy, and I currently manage partnerships and growth at a startup called Localized, which operates in the education technology sector. I’ve been with Localized for nearly five years, fully committed to driving its mission in edtech.

I was a corporate guy for 15 years, spending a decade with Ahram Beverages and later holding roles at Etisalat and Pepsi. Along the way, my wife and I dipped our toes into entrepreneurship by opening a small bakery. Our modest venture sparked my interest in building something from the ground up. After selling the bakery to a private equity firm, I returned to the corporate world, but the entrepreneurial spirit stayed with me.

I tried to launch another business in Egypt, but the regulatory framework hindered its full development. Despite that, my enthusiasm for entrepreneurship persisted, and I wanted to do something meaningful. Now, working in edtech, I’ve found a meaningful path where I can make an impact, especially after completing my online MBA at Imperial College London, which deepened my interest in digital education and the potential of virtual learning. There’s a lot we can accomplish in that space, and still so much left to do.

I joined Localized in January 2020, just before Covid hit. Like everyone else, I quickly adjusted to working remotely, and I’ve come to really appreciate its benefits. One unique aspect of my role is the extended experience of working in a fully remote setup, something I genuinely enjoy.

My role involves managing partnerships and identifying new business opportunities for Localized across the region. I focus primarily on building and expanding our network of university partnerships. While another team member handles direct corporate relationships, I contribute to developing unique, tailored business solutions that support educational goals. We’re currently working on a major project set to launch soon in Bahrain.

At its core, Localized is a career tech company that connects universities in emerging markets with industry experts to guide them and global employers to hire them. Our platform brings together learners and experts, creating an environment where students can stay up-to-date with the latest industry skills and trends. If there’s any lag in that process it’s usually because we’re constantly trying to bring new experts onto the platform.

At Localized, we’re focused on meeting today’s evolving work demands through two main areas: virtual intelligence and carbon intelligence. In a remote-centric world, virtual intelligence goes beyond working from home, it involves mastering remote collaboration. Our globally distributed team has firsthand experience in this, and we’ve learned how to work effectively across time zones and cultures. To address our partners’ challenges in assessing remote work readiness, we partnered with ETS to create the AnywherePro assessment, a certification that validates key skills like communication, digital literacy, and collaboration, helping companies confidently hire remote talent.

Our second focus, carbon intelligence, is key to building a sustainable future. In partnership with Cambridge University and supported by the MasterCard Foundation, we launched a virtual course on Carbon & ESG Analysis in November to equip participants with skills in carbon management. We also host the Green Talent Forum, one of the biggest virtual events focused on the green economy, connecting learners with industry leaders from companies like IBM and Apple.

There’s also a lot of opportunity in the GCC region, where growth and available capital make it a prime area for strategic partnerships. Localization initiatives also pose both a challenge and an opportunity, with no clear solution yet. In North Africa, rising interest in the green economy is driving governments and NGOs to invest in environmental training and upskilling programs.

Remote work is also becoming a major focus, as organizations across the region focus on supporting and integrating distributed teams. Remote work lets us expand our reach across geographies, though time zone differences require flexibility — sometimes meaning late meetings or adjusted schedules. Despite these challenges, the benefits are significant: I get more family time, like daily lunches, and the freedom from commuting is invaluable. This flexibility even allows me to take extended vacations with my family and work from different locations when needed, provided I have a suitable workspace.

I’ve observed that Egyptian youth are eager to seize new opportunities, and there’s a strong desire among them to learn and grow. However, the market presents challenges in reaching the right people. Compared to other North African markets, it’s harder in Egypt to ensure youth are aware of available resources, like training programs or networking opportunities. The large population makes targeted outreach complex, which may limit the full utilization of these opportunities. With improved communication strategies, we could better tap into this eagerness and help more young people access what’s available.

I usually read EnterpriseAM around the middle of my morning, fitting it in when it feels right, rather than at a set time. My routine is all about flexibility — I don’t follow a rigid morning schedule, preferring instead to adapt as my day unfolds.

Over the years, my mornings have shifted to accommodate different phases of life. Earlier this year, for instance, I was training for an Olympic distance triathlon, which meant starting my day at 5am with my daughter by my side. We’d head to training, then I’d drop her off at school before diving into work. Now, with changes in her schedule, my mornings are evolving once again. For me, flexibility isn’t just a convenience — it’s what keeps my routine sustainable and in sync with my goals.

My days are packed with meetings, and I rely heavily on my calendar to stay organized — if it’s not scheduled, it’s off my radar. I make sure everything is on there, from work tasks to family commitments, with specific time blocks for each to-do. My calendar also includes my kids’ and my wife’s schedules, which helps me plan around times when I can focus fully. At the end of each day, I review and fine-tune my schedule, moving any unfinished tasks to keep everything on track and balanced.

Work-life balance is definitely tricky, but I think I’m managing it well. After years in corporate life, I know how draining commuting and office routines can be. For about eight years, my daily commute averaged three hours — an exhausting routine that left little time or energy for anything else. Working remotely has helped me reclaim that time and improve my balance.

The best advice I received was to balance kindness with people and firmness with ideas and suggestions — a lesson shared by a manager at Ahram Beverages. It’s about knowing when to hold firm on a principle and when to let go and consider others’ perspectives. This has stayed with me for 20 years, continuously shaping my approach to work and leadership.

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