Drucker points out that the output of a small startup is radically different from a large, mature organization. From a large organization, investors might want growth of 15% and final profits of 20%. But he also points out, this is both too little and too much for a small startup. From an early stage organization, it is important to see triple digit growth, and no profits at all. The sign of a successful startup is that it finds a business model that allows it to grow rapidly. Drucker also describes the failure mode where the small startup gets enough growth to survive, but not enough to become a mature, independent organization. It then limps along in a crippled state.

For my money, Drucker has a better density of insight-per-page than any other business writer. I strongly recommend him.