Generating recurring income

This is the most straightforward and well-understood management imperative of business operations. The primary goal of this imperative is to implement a sustained delivery of goods and services to the business's customers at a cost that is less than the funds acquired in exchange for said goods and services -- in short, making a profit.

The funds directly acquired by the business in exchange for the goods and services it delivers is the business's revenue.

The cost of developing, producing, and delivering these goods and services is the business's expenses.

A business whose revenues are greater than its expenses makes a profit. Such a business is profitable.