Mustafa Almuzel on his experience at Strategic Gears

Two years ago, after obtaining a PhD in Technology Management from Portland State University, Mustafa Almuzel joined Strategic Gears as a manager. We sat down with him to learn more about this jump from academia to consulting.

One of the largest homegrown consultancies in the MENA region, Strategic Gears has over 250 employees across four offices in the Middle East and Europe, boasting over 10 years of experience. The management consultancy brings local and global expertise in a multitude of different fields to help clients achieve sustainable growth.

Though management consulting is not the most common path for a PhD holder, Dr. Almuzel ultimately joined the Strategic Gears team, hoping to put his theoretical background into practice.

Leveraging skills

“I have always been passionate about the interplay between theory and practice when it comes to leadership and management,” says Dr. Almuzel.

“And management consulting offers the ideal environment to refine those skills. I was driven by the desire to add value, not just by applying what I have learned in academia, but also by gaining hands-on cumulative experience.”

In this role, Dr. Almuzel discovered that his academic background was a major asset. His background equipped him with a structured way of thinking, strong research skills, and the ability to analyze complex problems from multiple angles – all critical skills for a management consultant. He learned to distill complex academic theories into practical, actionable strategies for clients, making his expertise directly applicable to real-world business challenges.

“I have always believed that real and deep expertise comes from bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical applications in the business world,” he notes.

“Strategic Gears has given me the space to implement some of the academic methodologies into my projects. For example, I have developed an assessment model to measure the maturity of regulatory requirements within one of my projects.”

Stepping up to the challenges

His transition was not without its challenges, however. The fast-paced environment and high-stakes client engagements are a significant shift from the more structured, long-term pace of academic research. But overcoming these challenges has been a beneficial experience for Dr. Almuzel.

“I have faced multiple complicated technical and managerial challenges, but overcoming these challenges, with the guidance from leadership and the support from the team, has definitely strengthened my capabilities,” Dr. Almuzel notes.

Dr. Almuzel quickly adapted to the challenges, finding that his curiosity and passion for learning were the keys to his success. He embraced the opportunity to continuously grow and learn from his colleagues and clients, understanding that consulting is as much about people skills and collaboration as it is about technical expertise.

“I was given the opportunity to lead a project focused on developing a cultural report, as well as another one that involved conducting research related to the cultural studies and regional identities,” he explains.

“These projects not only matched my academic background, but also my personal journey – from publishing a book, and writing articles, to volunteering at cultural forums and seminars. They also drew upon my diverse cultural and leadership experiences in both Saudi Arabia and the United States during my time studying abroad.”

These cultural projects compelled Dr. Almuzel to collaborate with professors, writers, and a variety of SMEs, an experience that he was able to learn a lot from. It also expanded his network in the cultural sector, an environment where he thrives thanks to his background.

Overall, he sees his journey with Strategic Gears as a move in the right direction – and as the first anchor point in exploring the intersection between theory and practice.

“All of this aligns with my mission of continuous learning and giving back to the community,” he adds.

“I would say that if someone has high ambition and passion to learn and grow, Strategic Gears would be their go-to destination – where the leadership of the firm would listen, enable, and support you until you succeed.”

Before starting his PhD, Dr. Almuzel spent eight years at Alrabiea, first as a project manager, then later, as a senior business development manager. He also began a journey into entrepreneurship when he co-founded an e-commerce company called CUSHIONS. He developed the business model and strategic planning, while also establishing the platform management and payment methods.

Want to hear more from Mustafa Almuzel? Watch below video: