What is the Certified Business Strategy Executive?

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

How long does this certification take?

The programme takes 12 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 Expert / Executive 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 Business Strategy Executive in South Africa

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

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

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified Business Strategy Executive

Certified Business Strategy Executive: 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

The Executive Remit

The executive transition: from function to enterprise
Setting and communicating strategic direction
Executive time, attention and decision cadence
Executive presence and credibility
Investment strategy and allocation
Hedging strategies and instruments
Leading across cultures and geographies
Warehouse design and layout
Supply-network design
Leading in crisis and under scrutiny
Security by design
Interpreting financial statements
Growth, lactation and productivity
Integrated and sustainability reporting

Owning Enterprise Trade-offs

Reporting quality and governance
Executive time, attention and decision cadence
Building and running a top team
Software design patterns and quality
Data modelling and database design
Network design, LAN/WAN and topologies
Management accounts and dashboards
Budget vs actual and variance
Cost and profitability analysis
Forecasting and planning
Communicating financial results
Scaling technologies and business models
Attachment and developmental theory
Professional roles, boundaries and settings

Communicating Direction That Sticks

Setting and communicating strategic direction
The strategic narrative
Ethical principles and codes of practice
Managing boundaries and dual relationships
Peer support and consultation
Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice
Duty of care and risk management
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
Client feedback and satisfaction
Managing risk and difficult cases

Leading Through Other Leaders

Leading through other leaders
Building and running a top team
Succession and the leadership pipeline
Pricing, contribution and product decisions
Lessons learned and development
Driving effective, ethical outcomes
Designing a governance, compliance or policy solution
Codes of conduct and values
Organisational design principles and structures
Attrition, engagement and productivity analytics
Communication strategy in change programmes
Embedding values and behaviours
Aligning HR strategy with organisational strategy

Accountability to the Board

Working with a board and governance
The strategic narrative
Executive ethics and the leader’s shadow
The role of finance in organisations and value creation
Instructional design models (ADDIE, SAM)
Learning strategy and business alignment
Blended and hybrid learning design
Sustainability, ESG and integrated value
Long-term value creation and stewardship
Real options and strategic investment
Governance and organisational value
Product safety and standards
Sustainability strategy and materiality

Judgement Under Scrutiny

Designing and facilitating groups
Psychoeducation and workshops
Executive ethics and the leader’s shadow
Blended and hybrid design
Vision, mission and strategic intent
Competitive strategy and positioning
Business model design and innovation
Setting strategic priorities and choices
Aligning teams around strategy
Strategy execution and the balanced scorecard
Strategic decision-making under uncertainty
Measuring strategic progress
Turning strategy into results
Working with organisations on wellbeing
Designing an intervention or programme

Strategic Context for Executives

Financial inclusion strategy
Strategic analysis: PESTLE, SWOT and Porter’s Five Forces
Training needs analysis and learning strategy
Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting
Reward strategy and total reward frameworks
Wellbeing and holistic health strategy
Digital transformation and IT strategy
Procurement’s contribution to organisational strategy
Category management and strategy development
Sourcing strategies and portfolio (Kraljic)
Negotiation strategy and planning
Building strategic customer relationships
Competitive and market intelligence
Translating insight into strategy
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations

Financial Stewardship

Options appraisal and cost-benefit
Cost of accidents and prevention value
Legal, cost and feasibility analysis
Make-versus-buy and total cost of ownership
Cost and price analysis
Resource allocation and capital discipline
Income capitalisation and investment value
NGO financial management and budget-versus-actual discipline
Claims investigation and fraud indicators
Solvency, capital and prudential supervision
Vehicle financing, insurance and total cost of ownership conversations
Standard costing and variance analysis
Budgeting techniques and the budgeting cycle
Flexible budgets and rolling forecasts
Responsibility accounting and cost centres

Enterprise Performance Management

Linking CX to business performance
Net Promoter Score and satisfaction metrics
Performance management in service
Coaching for performance
Banking KPIs and branch scorecards
Service quality and turnaround metrics
Sales performance and pipeline management
Social performance and outreach
Investment principles and objectives
Performance measurement and attribution
Warehouse performance metrics
Capacity and performance management
Cost, performance and capacity management
Setting objectives, indicators and targets
Yield, productivity and profitability metrics

Executive Decision Making

Ethical decision-making
Ethical decision-making under pressure
Structured problem-solving and root-cause analysis
Make, buy or ally: boundary decisions
Decision support and insight
Writing advisory reports that drive decisions
Issue and problem management
Backlogs, user stories and prioritisation
Escalation and decision-making
Portfolio management and prioritisation
Decision-making and problem solving
Prioritising experience investments
Problem loans, restructuring and recovery
Evidence, judgement and scepticism
Root-cause analysis and problem solving

Stakeholder and Investor Relations

Stakeholder mapping and collaboration
Influencing and presenting insights
Managing difficult stakeholders
Stakeholder mapping in banking
Negotiation and influencing
Relationship management and cross-selling
Wealth, SME and corporate relationships
Stakeholder communications
Stakeholder mapping and engagement
Stakeholders and users of financial information
Stakeholders, agency and accountability
Stakeholder and sponsor management
Stakeholder rights and fair treatment
Delivery, quality and stakeholder plan
Stakeholder identification and analysis

Risk, Governance and Assurance

Contract governance and compliance
Environmental, social and governance (ESG)
Security governance and management systems
Likelihood, impact and risk rating
Risk treatment and countermeasures
Intelligence-led risk assessment
Risk registers and reporting
Continuous risk monitoring
Programme governance
Grant compliance and restricted funding management
NGO governance, boards and registration
Compliance monitoring and testing
Environmental governance and climate risk
Governance of ESG and reporting
Professional case study and presentation

Executive Communication

Communicating with families and carers
Professional writing and reports
Psychoeducation and public communication
Reporting to boards and executives
Monitoring, control and reporting
Professional documentation and presentation
Communication planning and management
Reporting and dashboards
Project data, reporting and analytics
Integrated marketing communications
Dashboards and performance reporting
Crisis communications
Ethics in communications
Internal communications
Corporate social responsibility communications

Talent and Capability

Succession planning and talent pipelines
Talent sourcing channels and pipelines
Facilitation, coaching and mentoring
High-potential identification and talent reviews
Knowledge management and capability building
Creating a coaching culture
Delegating for development
Managing resistance and capability building
Supplier development and improvement
Real estate development and project appraisal
Proposal development and donor reporting
Building a coaching culture
Measuring coaching and mentoring impact
Capability and skills frameworks
Nomination, succession and diversity

Leading Change

Measuring growth and transformation impact
Risk assessment and safety planning
Goal setting and contracting
Digital and market transformation
Behaviour change and adoption of innovations
Customer experience transformation
Digital and self-service transformation
Measuring CX transformation impact
Digital transformation in banking
Foreign exchange and treasury operations
Technology governance and change control
Agile and digital transformation projects
Measuring change and project impact
Baseline setting and change control
Sales and marketing transformation

Evidence for Executive Judgement

Data quality and master data management
Comparable sales analysis and market evidence
Measurement and analytics for media and social campaigns
Health records, data and confidentiality
Analytical techniques and bias
Data visualisation for finance
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
Treatment planning and review
Record-keeping and data protection
Evidence-based improvement
Evidence-based practice
Big data technologies and platforms
Data privacy and protection
Managing complexity and comorbidity
Baseline surveys and data collection tools

Operating Model

Productivity, collaboration and workflow tools
Process improvement and lean thinking
Productivity and efficiency improvement
The procurement cycle and operating models
Reinsurance and capacity management
The vehicle sales process from enquiry to delivery
Capacity planning and line balancing
In-process quality control and inspection
Industrial utilities, energy and process safety interfaces
Workplace and organisational contexts
Mineral processing and beneficiation
The HR function: roles, operating models and value creation
Continuous improvement of finance processes
Discipline, conduct and fair-process management
Change talk and readiness

Market and Customer Perspective

Brand and reputation as strategic assets
Brand safety and responsible marketing
Customer and brand health metrics
Capstone scoping: a real growth or brand challenge
Market and customer analysis
Campaign or go-to-market plan
Brand strategy, identity and equity
Value proposition and messaging
Brand health and measurement
Customer success and retention
Customer lifetime value and profitability
Treating customers fairly and market conduct
Data ethics and customer privacy
Customer and employee satisfaction
Market and interest-rate risk

Technology at Enterprise Level

Self-service and digital support
Customer service technology stack
Technology selection and integration
Emerging service technologies
Digital, mobile and internet banking
Digital disruption and the future of banking
Branch-to-digital migration
Digital banking platforms and APIs
Payment technology and switches
Automation, RPA and straight-through processing
Cybersecurity and fraud technology
Digital permits and inspections
Automation and safety technology
Goal setting and action planning
Digital procurement and the future of the profession

Culture and Engagement

Win-back and re-engagement
Building a service culture
Employee experience and engagement
Customer and community engagement
Building a culture of compliance
Assurance engagements and standards
Engagement and motivation
Measuring engagement and impact
Awareness and security culture
Learning cultures and the learning organisation
Engagement, motivation and energisers
Advocacy and policy engagement
Habit change and behaviour design
Accountability and follow-through
Wellbeing and resilience coaching

Legal and Regulatory Environment

Policy, planning and objectives
Legal and other requirements
Contract types and risk allocation
Contract administration and variation
Contract performance and exit
Real estate regulation, licensing and professional conduct
Policy administration and customer service in insurance
Insurance regulation and consumer protection
Vendor, venue and supplier contracting for events
Regulation of transport: authorities, conventions and licensing
Tariffs, regulation and the economics of essential services
Procurement and contract management
Measuring coaching outcomes
Regulatory compliance and biosafety
Strengths, flow and engagement

Portfolio and Delivery Oversight

Project management maturity assessment
Driving measurable delivery improvement
Developing the project business case
Project budgeting and financial control
Financial risk in projects
Realising and measuring project value
Capstone scoping: a real project or programme
Designing the project plan and schedule
Project initiation and chartering
Integrated project planning
Project management plan development
Change and adoption in projects
Innovation and continuous delivery
Scaling delivery capability
Building project management maturity

Negotiation and Difficult Conversations

Commercial negotiation and value capture
Sponsorship and negotiation selling
Negotiation with clients and partners
Negotiation with buyers, suppliers and financiers
Conflict resolution over land, water and resources
Integrity, confidentiality and conflicts
Working with conflict and change
Conflicts of interest management
Conflict resolution and mediation
Difficult conversations and feedback
Negotiation and conflict resolution
Conflict resolution and negotiation
Conflicts of interest and transparency
Negotiation tactics and behaviours
Property viewings, offers and negotiation to close

Operating Across Borders

Meaning, purpose and values
Cross-cultural and global inclusion
Global and comparative HR contexts
Outcome and process measures
Cross-border data and transfers
Global sourcing and international trade
International and cross-border tax
Evidence-based practice and research literacy
Cross-functional and matrix teams
Leading remote and hybrid teams
Team diversity and inclusion
Data, records and confidentiality tech
Practice management systems

Standards and Improvement

Management review and improvement
Integration with quality and environment
Certification and continual improvement
Design review and quality
Quality management and standards
Professional standards and ethics (CIPS)
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Costing production: standard costs, variances and the true cost of scrap
Service quality and the passenger experience in transport
Quality management on site: inspections, hold points and defects
Healthcare quality, safety and accreditation
Continuous improvement of programmes
Ethics and professional standards in finance
Professional standards and self-regulation
Data quality and stewardship

Growth and Innovation Oversight

Innovation and new product launch
Data-driven growth
Managing growth, risk and resilience
Innovation in service delivery
Innovation and fintech collaboration
Supplier development and innovation
Value innovation and uncontested market space
Innovation portfolio and the three horizons
Intellectual property and defensibility of innovation
Innovation culture, incentives and psychological safety
Measuring innovation performance
Growth strategy and demand generation
Emerging tools and innovation

Ethics and Integrity

Digital ethics and responsible AI
Building trust through data governance
Business ethics and ethical frameworks
Building an ethical culture
Embedding responsible business
Ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct in HR
Data ethics, privacy and responsible analytics
Ethics and duty of care
Professional ethics and duty of care
Legal and regulatory responsibility
Sustainability and climate responsibility
Ethics and fair customer treatment
Professional ethics in customer service
Responsible and ethical service
Ethics and integrity in banking

Teams and Forums

Team leadership in banking operations
Psychometric and screening tools
Facilitation skills and presence
Virtual and hybrid facilitation
Team leadership within HR
Ethics of technology in practice
Team formation and effectiveness models (Tuckman, Lencioni)
Managing team performance and dynamics
High-performance team rituals and cadence
Working with referrers and multidisciplinary teams
Managing difficult conversations
Building trust and engagement
Group dynamics, facilitation and community mobilisation
Leading service teams
Team leadership in customer service

Sustainability and Responsibility

Leading groups and workshops
Corporate social responsibility and community impact
Monitoring, evaluation and sustainability plan
Collaboration and teamwork
Sustainability certification and standards
Social media customer care
Sustainable and green banking
Control environment and risk assessment
Emerging assurance areas (ESG)
The consulting mindset and trusted advisor positioning
The regulatory and legal environment
Environmental monitoring and reporting
Supply markets and the enabling environment
Sustainability and responsible sourcing
Sustainability reporting and disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CBSE 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 CBSE?

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 CBSE certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 12 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 CBSE internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the CBSE certification?

The Certified Business Strategy Executive 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 CBSE 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 CBSE?

The Certified Business Strategy Executive 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 CBSE?

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

Can I study the CBSE 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 CBSE?

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

Certified Business Strategy Executive