How iMSM helped Korede Oludiran reimagine his business and redefine his career
After over 15 years of leading IT projects across the public and private sectors, Kored Oludilan Understand process improvement and change management from the inside out. But when he started his own management consulting firm echo oscar corp.In Ottawa, Canada, he realized something was missing. His technical expertise alone will not unlock the next phase of growth. He needs a deeper understanding of strategy, marketing, and organizational collaboration.
That’s when Korede discovered the online iMSM (Master of Science in Management) program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies School of Business. He said the plan “Helps me rethink how I manage, how I serve my customers, and how I grow my business.”
A career rooted in project and process management
Korede’s professional foundation is built on project management. Since winning his Project Management Professional (PMP) He was certified in 2009 and has led IT projects and process improvement initiatives across multiple industries. “I’ve always focused on how teams work together (change management, process efficiency and keeping systems aligned),” he explains.
In 2022, he turned this expertise into a entrepreneurial venture, launching echo oscar corp.is a management consulting firm that helps organizations improve processes, enhance collaboration, and effectively implement change. “We work with businesses to make things better, from process improvement to change management, from team collaboration to training,” he said.
But as he began developing Echo Oscar, Korede realized his company’s products could be more strategic and better suited to customer needs. That’s when he saw an opportunity to advance his skills, earn additional credentials, and enroll in the University of Illinois’ online iMSM.
Looking for the missing link: strategy and marketing
“I think marketing is more about ‘going to the sale,'” Korred said with a laugh. “But while working at Illinois, I discovered how powerful it really is. It’s not just sales. It’s more strategic than operations. It’s about getting to know your customers deeply.”
Through iMSM courses such as “Creating Value: Developing the Marketing Mix for Growth” – part of BADM520 Marketing Management, Korede learned how to think from the customer’s perspective. “That course was a turning point,” he recalls. “You need to ask the right questions and understand what your customers really want. That’s what helped me pivot my business.”
Armed with these insights, he launched a new user-centric survey at Echo Oscar to identify customer pain points and streamline the product. “I realized that team collaboration is a key driver of process efficiency. If your team can’t collaborate, you won’t get the return on your investment in process improvement,” he said.
iMSM not only confirmed what he had known for years about the importance of teamwork; it provided him with a framework and data-driven tools for real-time strategic action.
The road from Kored to Guis
When Kored began looking for master’s degree programs, flexibility was key. “I explored Canadian universities such as Queen’s University and the University of Ottawa,” he explains. “But I needed something I could do while running a business. That’s when I found the University of Illinois through Coursera.”
He appreciated the ease of the process: from applying online with a copy of his transcript from the Obafemi Awolowo University of Nigeria, to attending in-person lectures and office hours.
Despite virtual learning, the connections are real. “When I graduated, I met people I’d been talking to online for over a year. It was incredible meeting classmates and professors in person,” Korede recalled. “I even reconnected with my operations management and marketing management professors on LinkedIn later.”
From insights to action plans
Now, Echo Oscar Inc. is expanding its offerings with an eight-module team collaboration training program developed directly from what Korede learned in the iMSM program. “It was published this year,” he says proudly. “We created it because our survey results clearly demonstrate the critical role collaboration plays in employee engagement and the overall success of an organization.”
He credits courses in operations management, organizational management and marketing management with reshaping the way he runs his business: “These courses made me realize where I was falling short. I wasn’t reaching the right people and serving them effectively. Now, our approach is more strategic and more data-driven.”
Why iMSM is the right choice
“MSM feels like an MBA lite,” Korede explains. “We studied many of the same topics as MBA students—strategy, marketing, operations, leadership—but in a more streamlined format. It was very solid and I loved the courses.”
He particularly values how Coursera allows him to continue learning after graduation. “I’m still on Coursera,” he said. “I had my graduation ceremony last year and it was my first time back in the classroom since 2008, but I wanted to continue learning.”
So why did he return to school after more than ten years? “I need more mental energy – it’s a challenge,” he admits. “Honestly, I want the honours. The Nigerian in me wants a degree!” Korede laughed.
But beyond that, he said, “I wanted something to propel my career and business forward.”
Advice to others
Korede’s advice to aspiring learners is clear:
“Find what you want and decide how you want it to impact your life and career. The University of Illinois is a big deal. This is not a small university, so if you can work with Coursera, don’t miss it. “
He also believes consistency is the key to any success:
“Whatever you set your mind to achieve, you can do it. It may be difficult, but consistency is key. No matter how ‘not good enough’ your product is, if you’re consistent, you’ll sell and you’ll improve. It’s often better to be the most consistent than to be the smartest.”
Career, redefined
From managing IT projects in Nigeria to running a consulting firm in Canada, Korede’s experience demonstrates what’s possible when lifelong learning is combined with entrepreneurial ambition.
“iMSM confirmed what I’ve always known, but it also gave me the tools to turn that knowledge into strategy,” he said. “Now, everything we do at Echo Oscar has a clearer purpose: to increase collaboration, efficiency, and impact. That’s the true ROI of my education.” Learn more about the program →
