Find your
Spotlight
The Pickering Group
Now, more than ever, in this tech-saturated, digitally-[dis]connected world, authentic human connection is the competitive advantage that gives you or your team the edge.
We all have this natural ability to connect, yet so many of us shy away from the spotlight as we believe we don’t possess it.
As it turns out, most of us are simply untrained in how to best harness our power.
The Pickering Group helps teams and individuals find their spotlight – and step into it. From presentation training and public speaking skills (virtual and in-person) to business storytelling and influence & persuasion training - we are champions of face-to-face human connection.
That’s why some of New Zealand and Australia’s most recognisable companies have trusted The Pickering Group’s suite of tailorable spoken communication skills programmes to unlock the potential of their people.
Our Approach
1 Analysis
Meeting and observation. Learning objectives set and outcomes agreed.
2 Design
Collaborative programme development or modular options considered. Delivery strategy agreed.
3 Deliver
Learning delivered. Training, facilitation, coaching or mentoring.
4 Enable
Ensure sustained learning. Evaluate programme success. Ensure workplace utilisation.
Russell Pickering
— Founder & Managing Director
BA (Waikato), MFA (SMU),
MBA (Auckland 2016)
Russell is one of New Zealand’s leading specialists in effective communication, business storytelling and presentation training. Prior to founding The Pickering Group, Russell ran Auckland based communication skills consultancy SpeakEasy and established himself as an expert trainer, facilitator and coach in the field of business communication skills development. He has helped thousands of people, in some of New Zealand and Australia’s most visible organisations, become more confident and compelling communicators.
Russell thrives in the dynamic intersection of the arts and commerce. Originally training as a professional actor and director, Russell won a Bob Hope Scholarship to study for his Master of Fine Arts in Acting at Meadows School of the Arts (SMU) in the United States. As an actor he has appeared in commercial television, feature film, and on regional theatre stages throughout the US and NZ.
More recently, Russell completed his MBA as part of Auckland University’s NZ Executive programme.
Daniel Barnes
— Senior Business Advisor
Daniel is Founder and Partner of Barnes, Catmur & Friends Dentsu, one of New Zealand’s most successful and awarded independent advertising agencies which recently became part of the Dentsu Aegis Network. He has more than three decades experience as a creative entrepreneur and communicator across commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors. He has joined forces with The Pickering Group as senior business advisor working with C-Suite clients.