When prospective entrepreneurs talk with me, many want to know what they need to learn about to improve their chances of success. I tell them that Vince Lombardi had it right: you have to know the basics. Blocking and tackling.
Blocking
First and foremost, they have to understand the language of business. A basic understanding of how financial statements work and what they mean is essential. Business people no longer need to know the mechanical aspects of accounting any more than students need to know how to do logarithms without a calculator these days. But they do need to know what the accounting function is telling them and how they need to use that to make good decisions.
Tackling
Second, you need to know how to sell. I always recommend that if entrepreneurs do not have experience selling they either need to get experience or learn about selling from an expert. Take a class, read a book, do something to learn about how to sell effectively. Entrepreneurs not only have to sell to their customers, but they have to sell their ideas to bankers, investors, creditors, prospective employees and so forth.