In a very complicated world, it is always great to simplify things - to have goals, a clear vision, a one - pager plan. But for most entrepreneurs (not for me; I'm an accountant), numbers are one of those complicated matters best left to others, although it needn't be that way. And when it comes to one particular number, it cannot be that way: that number is the break - even figure. It's the one number every entrepreneur must know. If you don't have a break - even figure, how will you know if you're succeeding or failing?