Arcades across the US are attracting players by offering high-end prizes such as Hermes bags, Chanel wallets and Apple AirPods Max. Gatcha in Queens, N.Y., and Gacha Claw in Las Vegas are among those tapping into the "kidult" market, with patrons spending significant amounts for a chance to win big. "The house always wins," says Scott Schaefer, owner of Jack's American Pub in Milwaukee, which has a claw machine that dispenses White Claw hard seltzer.

Sales and customer relationship management are distinct yet complementary functions that are crucial for small-business growth. CRM focuses on building meaningful connections, while sales convert opportunities into revenue, according to Alykhan Jetha, founder of Marketcircle. "Think of it like having a dinner party, where you wouldn't hand your guests a menu and take their order but rather extend just the kind of hospitality that makes them want to be invited over again and again," writes Jetha.

Poor communication with your team can affect employee trust, retention and engagement, writes clinical psychologist and author Monica Vermani, who offers seven steps to better communication, including the need for leaders to engage in two-way communication, adapt their style and invest in training. "When leaders share organizational goals and values, talk about opportunities on the horizon and share information about navigating organizational changes and challenges, they create a culture where employees feel valued and included," Vermani writes.

It may not always be the best idea to hire to fill gaps in a founder's skill set, says Parker Conrad, co-founder and CEO of Rippling, who advises founders to embrace their weaknesses by tackling the tasks they dislike or are uncomfortable with. Four other founders share their advice, including Ashley Tyrner, founder and CEO of FarmboxRx, who bootstrapped to retain her original vision, highlighting why it's best to be cautious when considering VC advice, especially if it doesn't align with your goals.

ZenToes' transition to an employee-owned model has increased engagement, collaboration and retention, writes CEO Sarah Parks. Employees have become more invested in productivity and long-term goals, leading to improved company performance, and the model also has enhanced mental health and community involvement, Parks writes.

Business credit cards offer significant benefits, including rewards programs like cash back and travel points, which can be tailored to meet specific business needs. These cards often feature no annual fees or introductory 0% APR offers, making them attractive options for cost-conscious entrepreneurs. However, potential downsides include overuse, surcharges and late fees.

Leaders should embrace agile optimism, which is more open-minded than fragile optimism that hinges on positive outcomes, writes Nick Tasler, an organizational psychologist. "Believing that you or your team can accurately predict all the details on the road to your desired outcome without making any missteps ensures that it's only a matter of time before your fragile optimism shatters into a thousand little pieces," Tasler writes.

Many people shy away from setting boundaries in work, but experts say that learning to do so is important to protect one's physical and mental health. Some strategies to do so include writing a script for turning down work, knowing your limits, choose meetings wisely, offer a time frame and use technology.