Welcome to Future Proof in 5 by Marco Grüter
Future-Proof in 5 is the daily 5-minute podcast for founders and CEOs who want to build companies that last – not just grow.
Each episode delivers sharp, actionable insights on how to make your business more durable, transferable, and valuable – the three pillars of a Future-Proof Business™.
No fluff. No endless interviews. Just focused reflections that help you rethink how you lead, scale, and design a company that thrives without you.
Hosted by Marco Grüter, entrepreneur, investor, and creator of the Future-Proof Business System, this show blends strategy, systems, and mindset for the modern founder who wants freedom and legacy.
141 - Would Your Business Still Be Relevant Five Years From Now?
Disruption is inevitable. This episode reframes future-proofing as a strategic discipline, not guesswork, and reveals how to build a resilient, relevant business that still thrives five years from now.
140 - What Discount Would a Buyer Apply to Your Business?
A founder lost 40% of the exit value during due diligence due to poor governance and over-dependence on the founder. This episode explores how hidden risks become buyer discounts and what to do about them.
139 - Sleep Well or Sell Well. Which One Matters More to You Today?
The real founder dilemma isn’t growth vs. exit; it’s stress vs. structure. Learn how to build a business that protects your peace and increases your valuation. Sleep well today. Sell well tomorrow.
138 - Would You Want Your Kids to Inherit Your Company or Your Freedom?
Succession isn’t about passing a company; it’s about passing freedom. Without systems, your business becomes a burden. Discover how to prepare your company for a legacy worth inheriting.
137 - Legacy or Chaos - What Will You Leave Behind?
Future-proofing your company isn’t optional. This episode explores how systems, not just success, determine whether you leave a legacy or a mess behind. Build a business that outlives you.
136 - Why One Firm Thrived and the Other Died?
Same market. Same product. Different outcomes. Discover why one company collapsed and another thrived by embracing future-proofing, AI, and strategic innovation.
135 - Would Your Company Get a Premium or a Discount?
Learn why some businesses sell at a premium while others are discounted. Discover the key factors that drive higher valuations: transferability, resilience, and systems that reduce key person risk.
134 - Do You Have Pricing Power, or Are You a Commodity?
Pricing power is the ultimate indicator of business resilience. Learn how to test whether you’ve built a true value moat or if you’re just another commodity in your market.
133 - How Deep Is Your Leadership Bench?
Without leadership depth, your business is one resignation away from crisis. Learn how to assess and strengthen your leadership bench to build resilience, reduce dependency, and protect long-term business continuity.
132 - What’s The One Risk You Have Been Postponing?
Every business has hidden risks, but postponing action turns them into threats. Learn why delaying fixes can cost you scale, valuation, or survival, and what mindset shift you need to address risk before the storm hits.
131 - How Dependent Are You on Your Top Three Clients?
Overdependence on a few major clients creates silent risk in your business. Learn how to identify concentration threats, strengthen resilience, and build a diversified revenue base that doesn’t collapse when clients leave.
130 - Could Your Company Pass the Transferability Test Today?
If your business depends on you to operate, it’s not transferable and not sellable. In this episode, discover what makes a company future-proof and attractive to buyers by building operational independence.
129 - Would Someone Pay More Just for Your Brand?
Your brand is either your greatest asset or your hidden liability. This episode unpacks how strong branding increases enterprise value, attracts top buyers, and commands a premium at exit.
128 - Would Your Business Get a Premium or a Discount?
What determines if your company gets a premium or a discount at exit? This episode explores the valuation factors that buyers analyse from governance and transferability to key-person risk and resilience.
127 - How Resilient Is Your Company If the Market Shifted?
Market shifts don’t destroy strong companies. Lack of readiness does. This episode explains how to measure your company’s resilience against disruption and what founders must build before the next shock hits.
126 - Are You Relying on Charisma or Clarity?
Culture can inspire, but it can’t carry execution. In this episode, learn why clarity in decisions, roles, and systems is the foundation for sustainable growth, not charisma or good vibes.
125 - What Blind Spots Are You Avoiding Right Now?
Blind spots like key person dependency or digital lag aren’t invisible to buyers; they’re price tags. This episode helps you uncover hidden risks inside your company before they destroy valuation or stall exit readiness.
124 - What is Your Real Cash Buffer?
How long could your business survive a 30% revenue drop without panic? This episode reveals the real role of cash buffers in operational resilience and long-term sustainability for growth-stage companies.
123 - Would You Survive the AI Competitor Test?
What happens when your competitor uses AI to outperform you? If you’re not digitally ready, your clients might not wait. This episode examines the impact of digital adoption on competitiveness and long-term business sustainability.
122 - Would Your Business Attract a Buyer Today?
As boomers exit and buyers become more selective, most businesses won’t sell. This episode explains how systems, governance, and resilience determine whether your company attracts a buyer or gets left behind.