Don't flub your big talk; learn 3 key presentation types

When planning your next business presentation, remember that a persuasive speech tends to be transactional, so it must go beyond sharing features and benefits to provide personalized solutions, communications expert and author Terri Sjodin writes. Two other types of speeches come in handy, too: the informative presentation, which doesn't need the audience to do anything, and the ceremonial presentation, such as an awards ceremony, where like-minded people will be embracing your sentiment, Sjodin explains.

Put it into practice: Persuasive presentations are transactional but not high-pressure, proactively eliminate buyer objections and address the audience's deeper needs, Sjodin says. Informative presentations should be unbiased, and celebratory talks should be collegial.

Embracing risk-takers -- and being one yourself -- requires sometimes relinquishing control because "when you punish initiative, you earn stagnation," leadership expert Dan Rockwell writes. Enable boldness with seven actions of your own, including respecting those you work with and encouraging exploration by asking such questions as "What does forward movement look like from your perspective?"

Put it into practice: Release colleagues from bureacracy, enable them to learn continually and show you believe in them via high expectations, Rockwell advises.

As the clocks "spring forward" this Sunday in much of the US, many will feel a bit sluggish -- kind of like jet lag -- after losing one hour of sleep, but experts say there are ways to diminish the effects of the time change. Cut back on the time you spend looking at screens before bed, get into bed earlier than usual and take in as much early morning sunlight as you can to help reset your body's natural clock, they advise.

Visitors to Rome's famed Trevi Fountain tossed in $1.52 million in coins in 2022, with 2023's haul expected to exceed that, and the coins must be collected regularly through an arduous process using long brooms and suction hoses. This photo essay shows the process, including drying and counting the coins that go to the worldwide Catholic charity Caritas, which uses the money to support welfare projects, a food bank and a soup kitchen.

If you've ever tried to decide which restaurant to go to with your friends or loved ones, you know how difficult that final decision can be. I've joked that I should open a restaurant called "I Don't Know," with its sister location, "I Don't Care."

The truth is, we often do care, whether we're choosing a place to eat or making decisions for our company or organization. Gregg Vanourek's 20 suggestions are a great place to start. I especially like the "only option test" -- offering yourself limited options to see how each decision feels to you.

For me, the gut has always played a role in decisions. A chiropractor I saw years ago once told me that you always know what the right decision is because it's the first thing that comes to mind, but then we start to think and question our choices. That first idea is usually the right one, and I usually circle back to it after deeper exploration.

Also, decisions that feel uncomfortable, that stretch and challenge you in new ways, can be an invitation to step out of your comfort zone and let new possibilities arise.

As the weekend approaches, though, whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy your time away from the office.

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