Hear all, trust nothing. It's always good business to know about new customers before they walk in your door. The justification of profit is profit. New customers are like razor toothed gree worms, they can be succulent, but sometimes they bite back. Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than a question is an answer.
Employees are the rungs on the ladder to success.
Don't hesitate to step on them. Never begin a business negotiation on an empty stomach. You can't free a fish from water. Always know what you're buying. Beware the man who doesn't make time for oo-mox.