How long does this certification take?

The programme takes 11 Weeks and can be completed self-paced or with live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications carry CPD credits and are internationally recognised.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification.

Email info@certifications.ac, WhatsApp +254 722 223 084, or fill in the enrolment form on this page.

What is included in the fee?

All study materials, study guide, examination, digital certificate and badge. Live option adds tutor sessions and priority support.

Certified SME and Entrepreneurship Development Expert in Tunisia

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

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

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified SME and Entrepreneurship Development Expert

Certified SME and Entrepreneurship Development Expert: 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
Assets, liabilities and equity reporting

Leading High-Performing Teams

Ratio and trend analysis
Team formation and effectiveness models (Tuckman, Lencioni)
Cost and profitability analysis
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

KPIs and performance reporting
Rational and intuitive decision-making
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
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

Attachment and developmental theory
Professional roles, boundaries and settings
Managing boundaries and dual relationships
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
Peer support and consultation

Coaching, Mentoring and Developing Others

Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Coaching models and frameworks (GROW)
Creating a coaching culture
Mentoring and sponsorship
Developing talent and succession
Giving and receiving feedback
Managing performance through coaching
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice
Delegating for development
Coaching challenging situations
Measuring coaching impact
Duty of care and risk management

Tools, Technology and Digital Leadership

Record-keeping and data protection
Digital leadership and business transformation
Data literacy and analytics for leaders
Productivity, collaboration and workflow tools
Leading technology adoption and change
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
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

Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
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

Client feedback and satisfaction
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
Evidence-based improvement
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

Managing risk and difficult cases
Board, governance and C-suite dynamics
Corporate strategy and portfolio choices
Growth strategy: organic, M&A and partnerships
Organisational design and operating models
Lessons learned and development
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

Driving effective, ethical outcomes
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 and facilitating groups
Reputation and personal brand
Psychoeducation and workshops

Personal Effectiveness and Resilience

Working with organisations on wellbeing
Time management and personal productivity
Prioritisation and focus
Resilience, wellbeing and stress management
Designing an intervention or programme
Growth mindset and continuous learning
Managing pressure and difficult conversations
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations
Building support networks and mentors
Reflective practice and self-leadership
Sustaining high performance over time
Professional case study and presentation
Evidence-based practice

Professional Ethics, Standards and Governance

Risk assessment and safety planning
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
Goal setting and contracting
Transparency and stakeholder trust
Regulatory awareness and compliance
Professional standards and continuing development
Treatment planning and review

Performance Measurement and Continuous Improvement

Managing complexity and comorbidity
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
Workplace and organisational contexts
Change talk and readiness

Advanced Professional Practice: Consulting and Advisory Excellence

Goal setting and action planning
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
Habit change and behaviour design
Writing advisory reports that drive decisions
Presenting recommendations to senior decision-makers
Accountability and follow-through
Pricing, value articulation and professional fees
Ethics and independence in advisory relationships
Managing engagement risk and professional liability
Wellbeing and resilience coaching

Data, AI and Digital Tools for the Modern Professional

Measuring coaching outcomes
Strengths, flow and engagement
Meaning, purpose and values
Outcome and process measures
Evidence-based practice and research literacy
Data, records and confidentiality tech
Practice management systems
Psychometric and screening tools
Ethics of technology in practice
Emerging tools and innovation
Working with referrers and multidisciplinary teams
Digital HR and the employee experience platform
Communicating with families and carers
Marketing technology and the stack
Reporting automation
Automation and safety technology
Vendor and technology management
Digital learning strategy
Digital transformation and IT strategy
Professional writing and reports
Psychoeducation and public communication
Digital disruption and the future of banking
Managing difficult conversations
Building trust and engagement
Leading groups and workshops
Collaboration and teamwork

Professional Communication, Influence and Negotiation

Project governance frameworks
Communication and interpersonal skills
Stakeholder and sponsor management
Presentation and public speaking
Reporting to boards and executives
Facilitation skills and presence
Managing organisational politics
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

Compliance and regulatory projects
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
Change control and configuration
Leading project teams
Managing virtual and cross-cultural teams
Motivation and engagement

Talent, Culture and the Modern Workplace

Leading project governance
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
Organisational change management
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
Change and adoption in projects
Employment relationship and the psychological contract
Ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct in HR
Innovation and continuous delivery

Customer, Market and Stakeholder Value

Agile and digital transformation projects
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
Managing resistance and readiness
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

Scaling delivery capability
The role of finance in organisations and value creation
Financial statements and the accounting equation
Financial, management and cost accounting distinguished
Interpreting financial statements
Building project management maturity
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

Sustaining benefits and change
Evidence, judgement and scepticism
Measuring change and project impact
Analytical techniques and bias
Professional ethics and responsibility (PMI)
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
Conflicts of interest and procurement ethics
Return on investment and impact
Sensitivity, scenario and what-if analysis
Data visualisation for finance
Management accounts and dashboards
Continuous risk monitoring
Sustainability and social impact in projects

Strategy, Innovation and Leading Change

Health, safety and compliance in delivery
Strategic analysis: PESTLE, SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces
Change management and adoption
Managing resistance and capability building
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
Stakeholder rights and fair treatment
Sourcing strategies and portfolio (Kraljic)

Project and Programme Delivery Essentials

Project KPIs and performance 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
Earned value and forecasting
Quality and delivery metrics
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
Continuous improvement and retrospectives
Contract law and formation
Lessons learned and knowledge management

Quality, Process Excellence and Continuous Improvement

Project management maturity assessment
Quality planning and assurance
Quality control and continuous improvement
Process and control documentation
Driving measurable delivery improvement
Continuous improvement of delivery
Journey and process redesign
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
Developing the project business case
Continuous improvement of finance processes
Capability and skills frameworks
Operational efficiency and productivity
Cost-benefit and investment appraisal

Governance, Risk, Ethics and Compliance

Project budgeting and financial control
Corporate governance principles and purpose
Governance and organisational value
Public, private and non-profit governance
Funding, cash flow and financing
Committees: audit, risk, remuneration
Governance frameworks and codes
Governance, risk and compliance (GRC)
Value and benefits management
Control environment and risk assessment
Financial risk in projects
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
Procurement and contract value
Value engineering and optimisation

Sustainability, Safety and Responsible Practice

Realising and measuring project value
Trends: ESG, transparency and stakeholder capitalism
ESG principles and frameworks
Sustainability strategy and materiality
Environmental governance and climate risk
Capstone scoping: a real project or programme
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
Business case and requirements
Designing the project plan and schedule
Delivery, quality and stakeholder plan
Responsible and sustainable governance
Fair trade and responsible supply
Monitoring, control and reporting

Certification Recap and Integrated Review

Your Certification in Action: 90 Days to Recertification

Professional documentation and presentation
Designing your first 90 days after certification
Your one-year professional development trajectory
The two-year horizon: expertise, leadership and professional standing
Requirements gathering and management
Building your professional portfolio and evidence of practice
Mentorship, networks and the community of practice
Stakeholder identification and analysis

Capstone Project and Certification Readiness

Project management plan development
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
Earned value management
Professional presentation and defence
Time and cost control
Risk identification and analysis
Qualitative and quantitative risk analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CSME 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 CSME?

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 CSME certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 11 Weeks 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 CSME internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the CSME certification?

The Certified SME and Entrepreneurship Development Expert is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 399 and Live Virtual at USD 599. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CSME 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 CSME?

The Certified SME and Entrepreneurship Development Expert 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 CSME?

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

Can I study the CSME 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 CSME?

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

Certified SME and Entrepreneurship Development Expert