What Really Drives Enterprise Value (and What Destroys It) – Anthony Franco

What actually drives enterprise value — and what quietly destroys it? In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, Anthony Franco shares the patterns he’s seen across seven companies he’s built, six exits, and years of advising founders through First Strategy.

We break down the fundamentals buyers look for: profitable revenue, clean financials, customer diversification, operational discipline, and a business that isn’t dependent on the owner. Anthony also explains why toxic employees, the “genius jackass,” and organizational apathy can erode value long before a company enters a sale process.

We also dig into practical AI adoption using the AI First Principles framework and the WISER Method. Anthony outlines realistic steps business owners can take to use AI as a force multiplier — from collaborative chat tools to automation platforms — without overwhelming their teams or replacing people.

We wrap with lessons from Anthony’s Shark Tank experience, insights from his How To Founder podcast, and what every business owner should be thinking about if they plan to scale, strengthen operations, or prepare for an eventual exit.

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About Our Guest:
Anthony Franco—serial entrepreneur, AI strategist, and the co-author of AI First Principles and the WISER Method. Anthony successfully exited six of his own businesses, and spent over two decades guiding business leaders on how to grow smarter, automate strategically, and prepare for valuable exits.

As the host of his own podcast, How to Founder, Anthony is passionate about sharing practical, no-nonsense strategies that entrepreneurs and business owners can immediately put into action.

About the Host:
Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and entrepreneurs reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. He’s a corporate finance executive with a focus on business and intellectual property valuation. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers. Learn more at https://www.newroi.com

His book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers business With Dave Bookbinder podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

Connect with Dave on LinkedIn:   / davebookbinder  

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