Presentation Training & Public Speaking Skills

The Spotlight

The fundamentals of business presenting

  • 1 or 2 days (bespoke options available)

  • In–house or virtual

  • Up to 10 participants

  • Junior – Senior

Our highly popular flagship programme covers all the fundamentals of delivering compelling and persuasive presentations, updates, stand-ups and briefings. This programme has helped thousands of people become better presenters by learning then practising techniques to authentically sell their ideas, inspire confidence, and motivate their audience to action. Content includes: mastering non-verbal communication, presenting with confidence, reducing anxiety, structuring for impact, enhancing vocal variety, story-telling for business, interpersonal effectiveness and creating powerful visual aids.

  • Video used extensively to enhance feedback.

  • Proven strategies to reduce anxiety and inspire confidence.

  • User-friendly presentation prep tools.

  • Tailorable programme content.

The Board Room

Advanced presentation skills

  • 1-day (bespoke options available)

  • In–house or virtual

  • Up to 10 participants

  • Intermediate – Senior

Our advanced presentation skills programme is designed for those who may be relatively experienced but need to take their presenting impact to the next level. Managers and leaders presenting to high-stakes or high-status audiences, such as boards or senior leadership teams, will find particular value in this programme. Participants practise creating persuasive content by mastering more sophisticated techniques of audience analysis, framing, anchoring and storytelling. Advanced delivery techniques are introduced to enhance leadership presence and authenticity while communicating.

  • Video used extensively to enhance feedback.

  • Strategies explored to enhance interpersonal influence and persuasion.

  • Advanced audience analysis and presentation prep tools.

  • Customisable programme content.

The Arena

Communication mastery programme for senior leaders

  • 4 x 1/2 day workshops

  • Plus 1-2-1 coaching

  • In-house or virtual

  • Up to 10 participants

  • Senior – C-suite

This innovative spoken communication mastery programme is the most comprehensive of its kind in Australasia. It is designed to truly transform the communication impact of a senior team, creating sustainable, longterm change. Four 1/2 day group sessions delivered over six to eight weeks introduce core concepts and create a common vocabulary around presenting and communication excellence. In addition, four 1-2-1 coaching sessions give each participant the opportunity to work closely with Russell Pickering to hone their individual craft, minimise ineffective presenting habits and develop their unique communication style.

  • Video used extensively to enhance feedback.

  • Advanced narrative strategies to engage and inspire.

  • Individual coaching for each participant.

  • Fully customisable.

As with all our programmes, a thorough consultation process enables the exact content to be co-designed in collaboration with your learning strategy and tailored to meet the participant’s unique learning needs.

Step into the Spotlight

1-2-1 coaching for high-stakes presentations or pitches

  • Delivered live online via your preferred virtual platform

  • In–house at your company

  • Hourly rate

  • 1–2 participants/presenting teams

  • Senior – C-suite 

If you or your team have a major presentation or pitch approaching and you need to smash it out of the park, then this 1-2-1 coaching programme is for you. We begin by helping you assess your audience and define a clear, concise objective. From there we support you in creating persuasive and engaging content that connects with the hearts and minds of your audience and drives action. If needed, we can then arrange for our design lab partner to create dynamic visual aids to reinforce your message. Finally, we will coach you in your delivery to ensure you own the room with confidence and clarity.

• Video used extensively to enhance feedback.

• Advanced narrative strategies to engage and inspire.

• Visual aid support if required.

• Fully customisable.

The Virtual Spotlight - New Online Course!

The fundamentals of remote business presenting

  • Delivered live online via your preferred virtual platform

  • Up to four participants - with individual video coaching

  • 1/2 day

  • Ongoing virtual support

With workplaces all over the world turning fast to virtual communication, we know many teams will find themselves in the uncomfortable and unfamiliar position of not being able to communicate in person. Don't worry - we've got you covered.

Read more about this course

What our Clients Say

Dozens of programmes delivered across New Zealand and Australia…A transformational experience for participants - for some, life-changing…The difference between The Pickering Group and a typical supplier is that they have an ability to really understand a company – it’s purpose, values, culture, and current environment – at a deeper level than most. They get it. They adapt. They make an enormous difference.”
Victoria Goulden Learning and Design Manager Pernod Ricard Australasia
“When I needed Presentation Skills and Storytelling training for 60+ of our regional sales manager - delivered in just one impactful day - Russell and The Pickering Group totally nailed it!!”
Annaliese Atina General Manager Field Sales & NCC Coca-Cola Amatil NZ
“The ‘Leading with Stories’ programme empowered our senior leaders to continue telling the stories of our transformation – to lift our strategy out of the spreadsheets and PowerPoints and into the hearts of our people.”
Wayne McNee Chief Executive. Livestock Improvement Corporation
“Russell Pickering is STELLAR at his craft, absolutely the best in New Zealand. He exemplifies presence and connection. My clients rate him as a top notch presenter and executive coach. If you need to ramp up your impact as a leader, Russell is the man to call.”
Harold Hillman, Ph.D. Managing Director, Sigmoid Curve Consulting Group
"Hugely popular courses – with immediate, tangible results. Well over a hundred of our people are now more impactful, confident speakers because of The Pickering Group’s programmes"
Kerry Dewar Leadership & Capability Manager Mercury
"The ability to communicate your ideas with clarity, to inspire your audience to action, to share stories that bring your business strategy to life – these are all essential qualities for leaders in the modern business world. Nobody helps you do that better than Russell and his team at The Pickering Group.”
Joanna Simon Chief Operating Officer DLA Piper
“When we were looking to embed the crucial leadership capability of storytelling across the Agency, The Pickering Group provided a tailored programme that was engaging, practical and fun – but most importantly – that worked. Our people come away from the programme absolutely buzzing and eager to utilise their new-found storytelling skills.”
Trent Maulder Senior Organisation Development Consultant NZ Transport Agency
“Russell takes you out of your comfort zone and into a growth zone related to the art of presenting and personal persuasion.  He is masterful at his craft; a true sensei in every regard.  Step Into the Spotlight is an incredible gift of wisdom, insights and practical ways to influence others with maximum impact.”
Harold Hillman Ph. D, leadership coach Author of The Impostor Syndrome and EM-PA-THY
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