If you’re old enough to remember the AC/DC classic “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” that’s a bonus. If not, no worries, the point still stands.
When I think of that song, I can’t help but see how many business owners and executives approach hiring consultants: a quick fix for a single problem, a short-term solution, and ideally at the lowest possible cost.
But here’s the thing: the real “dirty work” in business shouldn’t be a one-off. It’s ongoing. It’s the kind of work that drives intrinsic value, the true, lasting worth of your company.
The Dirty Work of Intrinsic Value
Building intrinsic value is more than checking boxes or chasing quarterly targets. It’s about intentionally building an enduring enterprise — one that employees, customers, and owners alike can take pride in.
That means rolling up your sleeves and diving deep into the operational realities of your business. It means asking uncomfortable questions, having difficult conversations, and shining a light on areas that haven’t been scrutinized in a while.
When Growth Isn’t Value
As businesses grow, something counterintuitive often happens: intrinsic value declines.
Revenue may be climbing. Cash flow may look strong. But if the underlying systems, culture, and strategy aren’t aligned for long-term sustainability, you’re quietly eroding the foundation.
Why should you care about intrinsic value even if you’re not selling right now?
Because it influences everything:
- Your access to credit
- Vendor and supplier terms
- Insurance rates
- Partnership opportunities
All these hinge on how solid your business is as an ongoing concern.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (in Time and Focus)
Here’s the good news: doing this “dirty work” doesn’t have to be expensive, at least not in terms of time and focus.
Dedicate 3–4 weeks to a comprehensive operational review. With the help of a trusted advisory partner (often your accounting firm can help or refer someone), you can complete a full due diligence-style analysis of your business in less than a month.
It’s a small investment, roughly 6 hours of ownership time and 2–3 hours per executive team member, to uncover where intrinsic value can be built.
We use a systematic process that looks at eight key areas of your business. Other advisors may structure it differently, but the goal is the same: to get a bottom-up view of the enterprise and identify where lasting value can grow.
Think Like an Investor
The mindset you bring to this process matters. You can approach your company as an outside investor would.
Why? Because, unless you plan to run your business forever without ever extracting value, its worth ultimately depends on transferable value, the kind a buyer or successor would pay for.
That’s why building intrinsic value is the most important dirty deed you can do. It’s about making your business stronger, more resilient, and more valuable for you, your team, and whoever may take the reins in the future.
So go ahead.
Be cheap.
Do the dirty work today.
And if you need some inspiration while you roll up your sleeves, cue up the soundtrack:
🎸 AC/DC – “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”
