Studying at Level 5 while running a driving school

Management consultancy is about having the ability to spot opportunities for improvement, plus the drive to put yourself out there and make a difference. And these traits may also lead you down some unexpected roads. 

When Tariq Musaji FCMI MIC first began studying for the CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management Consulting Practice in 2019, he found himself searching in vain for a textbook that was specifically geared to the CMI syllabus. The books he did find were heavy and often outdated.

Motivated by his prior experience of having an article published in Which? magazine, he wrote his own text, Management Consulting: Simplified. Copies now sit in the libraries of several UK universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and Ulster. 

“I’ve always pushed myself,” Tariq explains. “I’m very motivated by reading about people who made something from nothing, whether that’s Steve Jobs, Muhammad Ali or Lord Sugar, and hearing how they take on setbacks and persevere. Plus, I don’t like to sit still.” 

Driving change

While studying for his Level 5 qualification, Tariq was also busy running his own driving school, Farrah Driver Training. 

Back in 2009, he was working in accountancy when he learned of an imminent merger that was threatening his job. Faced with this prospect, he decided to combine his love of cars and teaching and studied for the three-part Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Approved Driving Instructor exam. 

But true to his self-starting nature, Tariq didn’t stop there. He kept gathering qualifications to enable him to offer a range of courses, including training in defensive driving, which teaches people to anticipate hazards and take action to prevent them; and eco-driving, offering ways to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions and costs. He also trains DVSA instructors and fleet instructors. 

“If I go into something, I always like to give it my absolute best shot,” he explains.