How long does this certification take?

The programme is 11 Week and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@leadership.co.ke, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist (CEDS) | Online Certification

Q: What is the Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist?

The Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Strategy & Business Development.

Executive Summary

Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist (CEDS) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in strategic leadership, organisational management and business transformation.

This 11 Week programme is structured around recognised global leadership and management competency frameworks, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CEDS holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist

Acronym

CEDS

Who Should Enrol?

Strategic Thinking, Vision and Direction — applied to your own work
Leading High-Performing Teams — applied to your own work
Decision-Making, Problem-Solving and Execution — applied to your own work
Emotional Intelligence and Communication — applied to your own work
Coaching, Mentoring and Developing Others — applied to your own work
Tools, Technology and Digital Leadership — applied to your own work

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards executive, director and C-suite leadership roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with recognised global leadership and management competency frameworks

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex strategic leadership functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement strategic leadership systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to strategic leadership

Global Employability

Qualify for strategic leadership roles across corporates, public institutions, NGOs and enterprises worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Strategic Thinking, Vision and Direction Setting

✦Leading Teams, People and High Performance

✦Decision-Making, Problem-Solving and Execution

✦Emotional Intelligence and Authentic Leadership

✦Organisational Strategy, Transformation and Growth

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

Click any module to explore the detailed curriculum topics included in this certification.

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist

Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards
Theories and models of leadership and management
The manager's roles, responsibilities and mindset
Leadership versus management and when each is needed
Situational and adaptive leadership
Values, purpose and authentic leadership
The organisational context and operating environment
Self-awareness and the leader's identity
Building credibility and executive presence
Ethics and responsible leadership
Personal leadership development planning

Strategic Thinking, Vision and Direction

Preparing financial statements
Financial reporting frameworks (IFRS/GAAP)
Vision, mission and strategic intent
Competitive strategy and positioning
Business model design and innovation
Setting strategic priorities and choices
Scenario planning and foresight
Aligning teams around strategy
Strategy execution and the balanced scorecard
Strategic decision-making under uncertainty
Measuring strategic progress
Cost and profitability analysis

Leading High-Performing Teams

Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
Team formation and effectiveness models (Tuckman, Lencioni)
Attachment and developmental theory
Setting goals, roles and accountability
Delegation and empowerment
Motivation theories and engagement
Managing team performance and dynamics
Cross-functional and matrix teams
Leading remote and hybrid teams
Team diversity and inclusion
High-performance team rituals and cadence

Decision-Making, Problem-Solving and Execution

Professional roles, boundaries and settings
Rational and intuitive decision-making
Managing boundaries and dual relationships
Structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis
Data-informed and evidence-based decisions
Prioritisation and resource allocation
Operational planning and execution discipline
Risk assessment and judgement
Managing trade-offs and dilemmas
Decision rights and governance
Turning strategy into results

Emotional Intelligence and Communication

Peer support and consultation
Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice
Influencing and persuasion
Communicating vision and telling stories
Difficult conversations and feedback
Negotiation and conflict resolution
Executive communication and presence
Stakeholder management and relationships
Cross-cultural communication
Managing up, down and across
Duty of care and risk management

Coaching, Mentoring and Developing Others

Record-keeping and data protection
Coaching models and frameworks (GROW)
Creating a coaching culture
Mentoring and sponsorship
Developing talent and succession
Giving and receiving feedback
Managing performance through coaching
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
Delegating for development
Coaching challenging situations
Measuring coaching impact
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies

Tools, Technology and Digital Leadership

Client feedback and satisfaction
Digital leadership and business transformation
Data literacy and analytics for leaders
Productivity, collaboration and workflow tools
Leading technology adoption and change
Evidence-based improvement
Managing distributed and digital teams
Dashboards, metrics and management information
Cybersecurity and information governance for leaders
Innovation platforms and experimentation
Technology strategy and investment

Operations, Performance and Financial Acumen

Managing risk and difficult cases
Operational planning and resource management
Process improvement and lean thinking
Financial acumen: budgets, P&L and cash
Cost management and value creation
Performance management systems and KPIs
Project and programme oversight
Quality management and standards
Productivity and efficiency improvement
Managing risk and controls
Balancing short-term delivery and long-term value

Innovation, Change and Transformation

Lessons learned and development
Innovation management and creative problem-solving
Change leadership models (Kotter, ADKAR, Lewin)
Diagnosing readiness and managing resistance
Building a compelling case for change
Leading large-scale transformation
Driving effective, ethical outcomes
Organisational culture and behaviour change
Business model and market innovation
Sustaining change and embedding new behaviours
Measuring change and transformation impact

Organisational Strategy, Governance and Growth

Designing and facilitating groups
Board, governance and C-suite dynamics
Corporate strategy and portfolio choices
Growth strategy: organic, M&A and partnerships
Organisational design and operating models
Psychoeducation and workshops
Stakeholder capitalism and ESG
Organisational resilience and adaptive strategy
Managing complexity and ambiguity
Strategic leadership at scale
Long-term value creation

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

Working with organisations on wellbeing
Stakeholder mapping and analysis
Building strategic relationships and coalitions
Influencing without authority
Negotiation strategy and tactics
Managing conflict constructively
Board and investor engagement
Public speaking and thought leadership
Designing an intervention or programme
Reputation and personal brand
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations

Personal Effectiveness and Resilience

Professional case study and presentation
Time management and personal productivity
Prioritisation and focus
Resilience, wellbeing and stress management
Evidence-based practice
Growth mindset and continuous learning
Managing pressure and difficult conversations
Risk assessment and safety planning
Building support networks and mentors
Reflective practice and self-leadership
Sustaining high performance over time
Goal setting and contracting
Treatment planning and review

Professional Ethics, Standards and Governance

Managing complexity and comorbidity
Ethical leadership and integrity
Values-based decision-making
Corporate governance and accountability
Conflicts of interest and fairness
Diversity, inclusion and inclusive leadership
Corporate social responsibility and sustainability
Workplace and organisational contexts
Transparency and stakeholder trust
Regulatory awareness and compliance
Professional standards and continuing development
Change talk and readiness

Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement

Goal setting and action planning
Leadership impact and organisational health metrics
Balanced scorecard and KPI frameworks
360-degree feedback and leadership assessment
Benchmarking and best-practice adoption
Continuous improvement and learning organisations
Root-cause analysis and problem solving
Productivity and effectiveness measurement
Team and engagement metrics
Habit change and behaviour design
Accountability and follow-through

Advanced Professional Practice: Consulting and Advisory Excellence

Wellbeing and resilience coaching
The consulting mindset and trusted advisor positioning
Diagnosing client problems before prescribing solutions
Structuring engagements: scope, deliverables and expectations
Discovery interviews and evidence gathering
Root cause analysis frameworks in advisory work
Measuring coaching outcomes
Writing advisory reports that drive decisions
Presenting recommendations to senior decision-makers
Strengths, flow and engagement
Pricing, value articulation and professional fees
Ethics and independence in advisory relationships
Managing engagement risk and professional liability
Meaning, purpose and values

Data, AI and Digital Tools for the Modern Professional

Outcome and process measures
Evidence-based practice and research literacy
Data, records and confidentiality tech
Practice management systems
Psychometric and screening tools
Emerging tools and innovation
Working with referrers and multidisciplinary teams
Communicating with families and carers
Professional writing and reports
Psychoeducation and public communication
Managing difficult conversations
Ethical and responsible technology
Building trust and engagement
Learning technology ecosystem
Digital transformation in banking
AI, blockchain and digital supply chains
Technology governance and change control
Leading groups and workshops
Ethics of technology in practice
Treasury technology and systems
Cybersecurity and financial data protection
Emerging governance technologies
Collaboration and teamwork
Project governance frameworks
Stakeholder and sponsor management

Professional Communication, Influence and Negotiation

Reporting to boards and executives
Communication and interpersonal skills
Managing organisational politics
Presentation and public speaking
Compliance and regulatory projects
Facilitation skills and presence
Change control and configuration
Professional report and presentation
Communication planning and management
Stakeholder communications
Internal communications
Negotiation strategy and planning
Negotiation tactics and behaviours
Crisis communications
Ethics in communications
Communications strategy and planning
Message development and testing
Facilitation and workshops
Managing expectations and influence
Conflict resolution and negotiation

Leadership, People and High-Performance Teams

Leading project governance
Coaching for performance
Servant leadership and self-organising teams
Team leadership and motivation
Virtual and distributed teams
Conflict resolution and mediation
Leadership and management development
Engagement, motivation and energisers
Facilitation, coaching and mentoring
Building a coaching culture
Negotiation and conflict management
Measuring coaching and mentoring impact
Motivation and self-directed learning
Building high-performing project teams
Coaching and developing team members
Organisational change management
Leading project teams
Managing virtual and cross-cultural teams
Motivation and engagement

Talent, Culture and the Modern Workplace

Change and adoption in projects
The employee lifecycle and HR value chain
HR's role in culture, values and employer brand
Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting
Competency framework development
Innovation and continuous delivery
Onboarding and induction programme design
Employee engagement models and drivers
Performance management systems and cycles
Continuous feedback and performance conversations
Training needs analysis and learning strategy
Learning cultures and the learning organisation
Succession planning and talent pipelines
High-potential identification and talent reviews
Reward strategy and total reward frameworks
The business case for diversity and inclusion
Agile and digital transformation projects
Employment relationship and the psychological contract
Ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct in HR
Managing resistance and readiness

Customer, Market and Stakeholder Value

Scaling delivery capability
The value of customer-centricity
Customer service and experience principles
Customer expectations and satisfaction
The customer experience (CX) discipline
Buyer behaviour and the customer journey
Customer personas and insight
Customer journey mapping
Voice of the customer and feedback
Net Promoter Score and satisfaction metrics
Reducing customer effort
De-escalation and difficult customers
Building project management maturity
Stakeholder mapping and engagement
Stakeholder engagement strategy
Key account management
Strategic customer relationships
Customer experience strategy
Ethics and fair customer treatment

Financial and Commercial Acumen for Professionals

Sustaining benefits and change
The role of finance in organisations and value creation
Financial statements and the accounting equation
Financial, management and cost accounting distinguished
Interpreting financial statements
Measuring change and project impact
Stakeholders and users of financial information
Cost concepts, classification and behaviour
Costing methods: absorption, marginal and activity-based
Cost-volume-profit and break-even analysis
Budgeting techniques and the budgeting cycle
Budget vs actual and variance
Forecasting and planning
Business case and strategic alignment
Capital budgeting: NPV, IRR and payback
Cost of capital and WACC
Total cost of ownership
Communicating financial results
Ethics and professional standards in finance

Evidence, Measurement and Decision Quality

Professional ethics and responsibility (PMI)
Evidence, judgement and scepticism
Conflicts of interest and procurement ethics
Analytical techniques and bias
Sustainability and social impact in projects
Data quality and governance
Benchmarking against best practice
Performance measurement and KPI dashboards
Baseline setting and change control
Decision support and insight
Influencing and presenting insights
Data ethics, privacy and responsible analytics
Metrics and reporting
Health, safety and compliance in delivery
Return on investment and impact
Sensitivity, scenario and what-if analysis
Data visualisation for finance
Management accounts and dashboards
Continuous risk monitoring
Stakeholder rights and fair treatment

Strategy, Innovation and Leading Change

Project KPIs and performance metrics
Strategic analysis: PESTLE, SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces
Change management and adoption
Managing resistance and capability building
Digital transformation and IT strategy
Thought leadership
Competitive analysis and differentiation
Product and portfolio strategy
Supply analysis, gaps and scenario planning
Regulatory change management
Real options and strategic investment
Learning strategy and business alignment
Category management and strategy
Business process mapping
Procurement’s contribution to organisational strategy
Projects, programmes and portfolios
The finance function and digital transformation
Category management and strategy development
Earned value and forecasting

Project and Programme Delivery Essentials

Quality and delivery metrics
Project management principles and lifecycle
Project roles and the project manager
The project environment and stakeholders
Project management standards (PMI, PRINCE2)
Project initiation and chartering
Continuous improvement and retrospectives
Lessons learned and knowledge management
Integrated project planning
Schedule development and optimisation
Resource planning and levelling
Cost estimation and budgeting
Managing schedule and budget performance
Issue and problem management
Risk registers and reporting
Procurement and contract management
Project governance and assurance
Project management maturity assessment
Contract law and formation
Driving measurable delivery improvement

Quality, Process Excellence and Continuous Improvement

Developing the project business case
Quality planning and assurance
Quality control and continuous improvement
Process and control documentation
Cost-benefit and investment appraisal
Continuous improvement of delivery
Journey and process redesign
Project budgeting and financial control
Data quality and master data management
Reporting quality and governance
Supplier development and improvement
Continuous improvement of programmes
Knowledge management and capability building
Quality assurance and standards
Design review and quality
Quality assurance of audit
Funding, cash flow and financing
Continuous improvement of finance processes
Capability and skills frameworks
Value and benefits management
Financial risk in projects
Procurement and contract value

Governance, Risk, Ethics and Compliance

Value engineering and optimisation
Corporate governance principles and purpose
Governance and organisational value
Public, private and non-profit governance
Realising and measuring project value
Committees: audit, risk, remuneration
Governance frameworks and codes
Governance, risk and compliance (GRC)
Capstone scoping: a real project or programme
Control environment and risk assessment
Business case and requirements
Likelihood, impact and risk rating
Governance and the three lines model
Compliance frameworks and programmes
Compliance monitoring and testing
Fraud risk and controls
Ethical principles and codes of practice
Conflicts of interest management
The regulatory and legal environment
Designing the project plan and schedule
Delivery, quality and stakeholder plan

Sustainability, Safety and Responsible Practice

Monitoring, control and reporting
Trends: ESG, transparency and stakeholder capitalism
ESG principles and frameworks
Sustainability strategy and materiality
Environmental governance and climate risk
Professional documentation and presentation
Embedding responsible business
Governance of ESG and reporting
Sustainability standards (GRI, ISSB)
Sustainability reporting and disclosure
Integrated and sustainability reporting
Sustainability, ESG and integrated value
Long-term value creation and stewardship
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Requirements gathering and management
Stakeholder identification and analysis
Project management plan development
Responsible and sustainable governance
Fair trade and responsible supply
Earned value management

Certification Recap and Integrated Review

Your Certification in Action: 90 Days to Recertification

Time and cost control
Designing your first 90 days after certification
Your one-year professional development trajectory
The two-year horizon: expertise, leadership and professional standing
Risk identification and analysis
Building your professional portfolio and evidence of practice
Mentorship, networks and the community of practice
Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis

Capstone Project and Certification Readiness

Risk response and contingency
Capstone scoping: a real leadership challenge
Situation analysis and diagnosis
Designing a strategic or change intervention
Business case and impact analysis
Implementation and stakeholder plan
Risk management and contingencies
Vendor selection and management
Professional presentation and defence
Integrated risk and quality control
Backlogs, user stories and prioritisation
Agile metrics and velocity

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Strategic Thinking, Vision and Direction — applied to your own work
Leading High-Performing Teams — applied to your own work
Decision-Making, Problem-Solving and Execution — applied to your own work
Emotional Intelligence and Communication — applied to your own work
Coaching, Mentoring and Developing Others — applied to your own work
Tools, Technology and Digital Leadership — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

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Step 4: Pass, Get Certified & Verified

Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CEDS certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with recognised global leadership and management competency frameworks. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the CEDS?

This certification is ideal for Managers and Team Leaders, Heads of Department and Directors, Senior Executives and Aspiring Leaders and Business Owners and Entrepreneurs, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in strategic leadership, organisational management and business transformation with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CEDS certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 11 Week and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CEDS internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the CEDS certification?

The Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CEDS certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CEDS?

The Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CEDS?

The Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CEDS while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CEDS?

Graduates progress towards executive, director and C-suite leadership roles. The CEDS strengthens your expertise in strategic leadership, organisational management and business transformation and positions you for advancement across corporates, public institutions, NGOs and enterprises.

Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist

Certified Entrepreneurship Development Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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