I was thinking it would be something like "headcount, top-line revenue, last valuation, and hmm I wonder what else".<p>Instead it's a bunch of self-help goo.
1. lonely at the top, do not count on anyone but yourself to solve all issues
2. Profit and cash flow, look it takes cash to make the company last. In order to do that you need to monitor your profit.
3. Not a fairy tale, you will get your share of sleepless nights and empty stomachs from all of the worries about how to run the company.
4. Time, it is crucial in the business, because you need all of the time that you need to complete the work in the month. water and electricity bills and salary will NOT stop for you if time goes by.
5. Better have enough cash reserve to want to make this company work, often times people give up easily or run out of cash. You cannot run a company on hope, you need cash.