Public Courses

Spotlight: Fundamentals of Business Presenting

Thursday 12 November 2026, 8.30am – approx. 5.00pm

Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, Mt Wellington, Auckland

Sold out

Waitlist open, and first word on the next date

$1,250 + GST per person

The 12 November programme is sold out. To go on the waitlist, or to hear first when the next date is set, email Steph at [email protected]. Places do sometimes come free.

Most of our work is in-house, for teams. A few times a year we open the door: one day of Spotlight: Fundamentals of Business Presenting, in Auckland, for ten people who’d rather come to us than bring us in. It’s the same programme we run in-house for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Auckland Airport and Danone – you just don’t need a cohort of your own to get into it. If you’ve been sent by your organisation, or you’re sending yourself, this is the way in.

Who it’s for. Anyone who presents at work – junior to senior. No prior training assumed.

What happens on the day. You’ll present before morning tea, on camera, before we’ve taught you anything – it’s the most useful ten minutes of the day, and everyone survives it. Then the method: how to plan a presentation around what the audience needs to decide or know, how to build a message that holds up under questions, and how to deliver it as yourself rather than as someone reading a script. You’ll rebuild a real presentation of your own and deliver it back to the room with feedback. Morning tea and lunch are on us.

What we work on:

  • Walk into a room knowing what you’re asking for, and get a decision instead of a discussion.

  • Take something complex and make it clear to people outside your field.

  • Use a story to make a point land – without it feeling like a performance.

  • Handle questions without coming apart when the slides stop.

  • Speak with courage rather than waiting for confidence.

You take away: a copy of Step into the Spotlight · the Spotlight workbook · your own video, analysed against the Archetypes · the preparation tools we use in the room.

Where to stay. The course is held at Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, Mt Wellington, and they offer our participants a discounted room rate. Tell Steph when you book and she’ll arrange it.

Can’t make it? You can send a colleague in your place at any time, at no charge – just tell Steph the name. If you need to cancel: more than 20 working days before the course, we refund 50% of the fee; between 11 and 19 working days, 25%; within 10 working days, the fee is non-refundable. In each case you can instead transfer your place to the next public course, within three months, for a 25% transfer fee. If we cancel the course, you receive a full refund. Prices are plus GST; you’ll receive a tax invoice on booking.

Questions, or a manager with a team of six or more? An in-house programme will usually work out better – tell us about your team, or email [email protected].

What our clients say

“Russell has been working with our people for nearly twenty years, through every change of name, structure and leadership this business has been through. Suppliers don't last that long unless they keep delivering. He does. Every programme is built around what our people actually present, and they walk out able to do it better.”
Mary Meki Sales Director – At Home, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners New Zealand
“Russell Pickering has become our most highly valued facilitator, both for team communication programmes and one-on-one coaching focused on impactful presenting. Our team at Lane Neave consistently rate Russell highly and we never struggle to fill his courses. In fact, word of mouth does all of the promotion for us. I would highly recommend Russell to any firm or organisation looking to build skilled and authentic communicators who can connect with audiences and deliver messages that have lasting impact.”
Yvette Hooper Head of People and Capability, Lane Neave
“We've partnered with The Pickering Group across presentation skills, influence and persuasion, and storytelling. What stands out is Russell's ability to adapt his programmes to the needs of very different audiences, from technical specialists to senior leaders. We've seen the learning translate into stronger communication, greater influence, and more effective stakeholder engagement across our teams.”
Justine Slattery Learning & Development Manager, Danone New Zealand
“Working in a dynamic, intrinsically hazardous environment requires subject matter experts to build trust and influence across a range of internal and external stakeholders. Russell's coaching has helped my team of safety business partners build their presentation skills and confidence in delivering messages with clarity, impact and purpose.”
Rob Mair General Manager Health Safety and Wellbeing, Port of Auckland
“We've had a number of employees attend Russell's Fundamentals of Business Presenting programme over the years, and the feedback has consistently been excellent. Participants come away with greater confidence, practical presentation skills, and techniques they can immediately apply in their roles. Russell's engaging and supportive approach makes the training both enjoyable and highly effective, and we would happily recommend him and his programmes to other organisations.”
Anna Pule Director, People & Culture, Matariki Forests
“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 then Chief Executive, LIC
“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 Executive, Starship Foundation
“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 Managing Director, Sigmoid Curve Consulting Group
Tell us about your team
A few lines is enough – who they are, what they have to present, and what's not working.
Thanks – Steph will be in touch within one working day. If it's urgent, call Russell on +64 21 357 750.

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