What does it take to become the best possible entrepreneur? There are endless reams of data (mostly full of it) analyzing (to death) what it takes to be a highly successful entrepreneur  - allowing both existing and would-be entrepreneurs to manically self diagnose whether or NOT they have the ‘juice’. Most focus on entrepreneurial traits – not skills. Which can be their downfall.

So while your depressed and busy carving through the garb, here’s a simple yet real list of 5 essential entrepreneurial skills. Not traits. Which means you have to become a master of each – all rounders win big.

1. Concentration: you better have a clear goal, highly defined plan and a strong vision. Then you can concentrate on getting it done. Great entrepreneurs are almost impossible to distract when they’re ‘on their mission’. What’s yours?

2. Discrimination: by this we mean the ability to discriminate between what you should do and what you should not. How to prioritize. Any startup can get lost down all number of paths while juggling copious balls – most just full of hot air. Don’t. Focus, laser-like on the right path and juggle only the most essential ball(s) at each step along the way. Always know how to discriminate between critical tasks or projects versus pie-in-sky distractions. And get measurable results at every step.

3. Organization: in the early years the entrepreneur is essentially a startups uber project manager. And project managers are insanely organized or bloody useless – there’s little in between on this one. Sorry.

4. Innovation: today its impossible to develop a successful idea or venture unless its truly innovative. Innovation is the key. Make sure that you understand the link between innovation and execution. The former is pointless without the latter. Innovation can be as simple as attacking an established market, sector or product with a single, simple new improvement. That improvement could be better service, a cooler product, improved materials or original advertising. But to be successful the innovation must be both visible and valuable to its customers. And if you want your venture to last you have to keep on innovating. Embed innovation into your culture, people and processes from day one.

5. Communication: turning idea into venture requires cool and constant communication. Communication with employees, partners, customers, investors and the press. Become a comms genius – particularly in this social media driven world. It used to be that we just had to build products and services – now we have to shape our own media as well. And that’s all about communication. Dig.