Unlocking New Horizons in Management: Korede Oludiran’s Journey through iMSM
In the dynamic world of business, where change is the only constant, the ability to adapt and evolve is crucial for sustained success. Korede Oludiran is a testament to this principle. With over 15 years of experience leading IT projects across various sectors, both public and private, Korede has honed his skills in process improvement and change management. However, upon establishing his management consulting firm, Echo Oscar Inc., in Ottawa, Canada, he realized that technical expertise alone was insufficient for the company’s growth. To transcend his existing knowledge, he sought a deeper understanding of strategy, marketing, and organizational collaboration.
The turning point in Korede’s professional journey came when he discovered the online Master of Science in Management (iMSM) program offered by Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This program, he reflects, profoundly altered his management approach, client service, and business expansion strategies.
A Solid Foundation in Project and Process Management
Korede’s career is deeply rooted in project management. Since obtaining his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2009, he has been at the forefront of IT projects and process improvement initiatives across diverse industries. His focus has consistently been on enhancing team dynamics, optimizing processes, and ensuring system alignment for improved outcomes.
In 2022, Korede harnessed his extensive expertise to launch Echo Oscar Inc., a management consulting firm dedicated to assisting organizations in refining processes, enhancing collaboration, and implementing effective change. Korede’s firm operates with a simple yet powerful mission: to make business operations more efficient, from process enhancement to change management and team collaboration.
However, as Echo Oscar began to grow, Korede identified a gap in their offerings. There was a need for more strategic alignment with client needs. To bridge this gap, he chose to upskill and gain an additional credential by enrolling in the online iMSM program at the University of Illinois.
Discovering the Missing Elements: Strategy and Marketing
Initially, Korede perceived marketing as primarily focused on sales efforts. However, during his studies at Illinois, he discovered that marketing is far more strategic than he had previously thought. It extends beyond mere sales to encompass a comprehensive understanding of customer needs and preferences.
Through courses like Creating Value: Developing a Marketing Mix for Growth, which is part of the Marketing Management curriculum, Korede learned to view business from the customer’s perspective. This course, he notes, was a pivotal moment in his journey, prompting him to ask the right questions and truly understand what customers require. This newfound insight enabled him to pivot his business strategy effectively.
Armed with this knowledge, Korede launched a user-focused survey at Echo Oscar to identify client pain points and streamline their service offerings. He realized that team collaboration is a key driver of process efficiency. Without effective collaboration, achieving the desired return on investment from process improvements becomes challenging.
The iMSM program not only reinforced Korede’s understanding of the importance of team collaboration but also equipped him with data-driven tools and frameworks to act strategically in real-time.
The Path to Gies College of Business
When Korede began his search for a master’s program, flexibility was a top priority. He considered universities in Canada, such as Queen’s and Ottawa, but needed a program that allowed him to continue running his business simultaneously. It was then that he discovered the University of Illinois through Coursera.
The application process was accessible and straightforward, from submitting his academic transcripts from Nigeria’s Obafemi Awolowo University to participating in live lectures and office hours. Despite studying virtually, Korede found the connections with classmates and professors to be genuine and meaningful.
At his graduation ceremony, he had the opportunity to meet classmates and professors in person for the first time, with whom he had been interacting online for over a year. The experience was incredible, and Korede even reconnected with his Operations Management and Marketing Management professors on LinkedIn afterward.
Turning Insights into Action
Today, Echo Oscar Inc. is expanding its service offerings with an 8-module training program on team collaboration, developed directly from Korede’s learnings in the iMSM program. This program was launched this year, and Korede takes great pride in its creation. Survey results from their clients highlighted the critical role collaboration plays in employee engagement and overall organizational success.
The courses in operations management, organizational management, and marketing management have reshaped how Korede runs his business. They revealed areas where he was falling short, such as not reaching the right audience or serving them effectively. Now, Echo Oscar’s approach is more strategic, data-driven, and aligned with client needs.
The iMSM: A Strategic Choice
Korede describes the iMSM program as an abridged MBA, offering a streamlined curriculum covering essential topics like strategy, marketing, operations, and leadership. Despite its condensed format, the program is robust and comprehensive, providing a solid foundation for business leaders.
One of the aspects Korede values most about Coursera is the ability to continue learning beyond graduation. Although he graduated last year, he remains actively engaged in ongoing learning through Coursera courses. He humorously admits that part of his motivation for returning to school after more than a decade was the desire for a challenge and the credit that comes with earning a degree.
Ultimately, Korede sought something that would propel him forward in both his career and his business. The iMSM program delivered precisely that.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Learners
Korede offers clear advice to those considering further education:
"Identify what you want to achieve and how it will impact your life and career. The University of Illinois is a prestigious institution, and if you have the opportunity to collaborate with Coursera, seize it."
He also emphasizes the importance of consistency in achieving success:
"Whatever goal you set, consistency is key. Even if your product isn’t perfect initially, staying consistent will lead to improvement and success. Often, being the most consistent is more valuable than being the smartest."
A Career Redefined
Korede Oludiran’s journey from managing IT projects in Nigeria to leading a consulting firm in Canada exemplifies the power of lifelong learning and entrepreneurial ambition. The iMSM program confirmed and expanded upon his existing knowledge, providing him with the tools to transform that knowledge into strategic action.
Today, everything at Echo Oscar is driven by a clear purpose: improving collaboration, efficiency, and impact. This is the real return on investment of Korede’s education.
For more information about the iMSM program at the University of Illinois, visit here.
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