In the fall of 2001, I delivered staff training at the Privy Council Office in Ottawa — the senior public-service department that supports the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Two threads of teaching ran through the engagement: PowerPoint as software, and in-person presentation skills as a separate craft.

Two disciplines, one engagement

The software side covered the practical mechanics — slide structure, visual hierarchy, the difference between a deck that reads from across a boardroom and a deck that doesn’t. The presentation-skills side was older work: how to open, how to handle a room of senior listeners, how to use a slide instead of being used by it.

Federal public-service audiences are a particular kind of teaching room. They are precise about language, careful with time, and respectful of expertise that earns its respect. The work asked a lot but it gave back the same.

Christopher Ross

Your presenter

Christopher Ross

I've been the person event organizers call when they want someone who's actually doing the work, not just speaking about it. Twenty-two years building, a few hundred talks across WordCamps, conferences, and client teams — the talks come from real delivery, not from last year's slide deck.

  • Nineteen years building with WordPress; twenty-two delivering the underlying web work.
  • Talks at WordCamps and conferences across the publishing, education, and public-sector arc.

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Common questions

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

Full refund if you cancel seven or more days before the session. Inside seven days I can move your seat to a future date or transfer it to a colleague at no charge. If I have to cancel the day for any reason, every registered seat is refunded in full.

What is included, and what should I bring?

Bring a laptop with the software the course covers (current versions are fine) and a charger. I supply worked files, a printed reference sheet, coffee through the day, and a light lunch. The room has Wi-Fi and power at every seat.

How does the group pricing work?

The price-per-seat drops as you add more people from the same organisation, in pairs: 1-2 seats at the headline rate, 3-4 at the next tier down, then 5-6, then 7-8. The pricing table on this page shows each tier. For nine or more, get in touch directly and I will quote a private team session.

Can you run this onsite or virtually instead?

Onsite anywhere in the Niagara region, the GTA, or southern Ontario; the course is the same and you save the travel time for your team. Virtual delivery I take case-by-case - hands-on courses work for groups already comfortable on video, but in-person learns faster for genuine beginners. Tell me your group and I will give you an honest read.

Which software versions does the course cover?

Both currently-supported versions of the software covered. Where a feature differs between versions, I show both paths so you can apply what you learn on whichever version your employer has licensed. Tell me at booking if your office is on an older release and I will flag the few spots where it matters.

Can you accommodate accessibility needs?

Yes. Venues are step-free with accessible washrooms. I can supply large-print handouts, reserve a seat near the front, brief you on the room layout in advance, or work with an interpreter or support worker you bring with you. Email me when you book and tell me what would make the day work for you.