The Switzerland Structure: Creating Independence, Diversification & Durable Value

In this episode of The Owner’s Playbook, Carol Dewey explores one of the most important drivers of company value—the Switzerland Structure, a measure of how independent and diversified a business truly is. Carol breaks down why overdependence on a single customer, vendor, key employee, or even the owner is one of the biggest hidden risks in business ownership.

She discusses how dependence erodes value, increases vulnerability, and limits the future options available to the owner. Through examples and practical breakdowns, Carol outlines the three major forms of dependence that quietly weaken a company’s stability and salability. She also highlights the indicators that reveal whether a business can run without its founder and what makes a company truly durable.

The episode then shifts to building independence through diversification, stronger systems, and leadership depth. Carol walks through the components that help a company operate “like Switzerland”—stable, neutral, and able to function regardless of changes in relationships or personnel.

Key Takeaways

• What the Switzerland Structure means and why it matters
• How dependence quietly reduces business value
• The three most common dependence traps
• Questions that reveal how independent your business really is
• Strategies for building diversification and reducing risk
• How systems, automation, and cross-training strengthen business stability
• Why independence increases freedom, resilience, and long-term value

Resources Mentioned

• 21-Point Business Readiness Assessment
• Book: How to Beat the IRS Legally
• Value Builder Assessment