You may remember that V-8 commercial from many years ago. The snacker smacked his head after eating something unhealthy and then shouted, “I could have had a V-8!”

Just like food that’s good for you and food that’s not, there are customers who are good for your business and some who are not. Here’s how to tell the difference.

Danger signals. This customer promised to...

Fortune 500 companies with the highest representation of women board directors attained significantly higher financial performance, on average, than those with the lowest representation of women board directors, according to Catalyst’s recent report, The Bottom Line: Corporate Performance and Women’s Representation on Boards. In addition, the report points out, on average, notably stronger-than-average performance at companies with three or more women board directors.

Lisbeth McNabb, CEO and founder, w2wlink, serves on the board of Tandy Brands and Nextar Broadcasting. In...