Published by EOS Implementers Debra Chantry-Taylor, Adam Harris, business owners and experts!
Management
Business
EOS, The Entrepreneurial Operating System, can truly change your life by helping you live a better life by creating a better business. Are you doing what you love, with people you love, making a huge difference, being compensated appropriately, with time to pursue other passions? As Certified EOS Implementers & Carefrontational Changemakers, our passion is helping Entrepreneurs lead a better life through Traction. Join us on the podcast as we chat to those who have done this or experts who can help you. Learn from those who have built a life they\ love, through creating a better business.
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Nathan James, Creative Director at The Attention Seeker, to share his honest story on how EOS® changed a creative agency, & the lessons every entrepreneur can learn from failure, resilience & growth. Nathan’s career began in London’s creative industry in 1995, where he worked with some of the world’s leading advertising agencies, including Mother & R/GA, before taking his expertise across Stockholm, New York, Amsterdam & eventually Auckland. Along the way, he built an impressive career creating campaigns for global brands & later launched his own content production & advertising business. Despite his creative success, Nathan’s business ultimately failed. Poor financial management, inconsistent cash flow & the absence of a reliable sales pipeline led to bankruptcy. Rather than allowing the experience to define him, Nathan chose to learn from it. He openly shares the hard lessons he discovered about cash flow, networking, business strategy & the importance of separating creative talent from sound business management. Nathan eventually joined The Attention Seeker, where implementing EOS® transformed the way the business operates. With clear accountability, structured Level 10 Meeting® rhythms, transparent communication & defined roles through The Accountability Chart®, the agency reduced politics, strengthened collaboration & built a more profitable, stable business. Nathan explains why structure does not limit creativity. It creates the freedom for creative people to do their best work. Debra & Nathan also explore the importance of company culture & core values, discussing how transparency, daily recognition of team members & hiring based on shared values have helped create a high-performing team. Nathan shares why reporting to someone younger than himself became a valuable lesson in humility, proving that great businesses are built on merit, not hierarchy or ego. Throughout the conversation, Nathan offers honest advice for entrepreneurs who are facing setbacks. He encourages business owners to never stop learning, let go of ego & remember that material possessions do not define success. Instead, lasting success comes from building a healthy business, maintaining strong relationships & creating a life that is fulfilling both professionally & personally. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer® | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Nathan James – LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/nathanjames-cooper ► Website – attn:seeker : https://www.attnseeker.com Ep 283 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:38 – Nate’s Background and Early Career 09:17 – Transition to Digital and Freelancing 17:27 – Joining The Attention Seeker 21:41 – Impact of EOS® on Business Structure 34:33 – Cultural Values and Team Dynamics 39:22 – Reducing Ego and Embracing Structure 47:37 – Lessons Learned from Business Failures 47:46 – Advice for Entrepreneurs
Per Sjöfors is the Founder and CEO of Sjöfors & Partners Inc, Los Angeles. He used pricing as the lever to turn around several European and US companies in his 25 years of executive management experience. Per believes that what business schools teach about pricing is too abstract for executives to act on and has made it his life’s work to make pricing practical and actionable. Per has a unique appreciation for the importance of optimal pricing and brings with him his international experience of pricing practices from a global perspective. He has helped over 600 clients substantially increase sales and profits by bringing understanding of how pricing affects sales volume, adding billions to their bottom line. HOST'S DETAILS: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Professional EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►See how she can help you: https://www.businessaction.com.au/ ____________________________________________ GUESTS DETAILS: ____________________________________________ ►Website:https://www.persjofors.com/ ►Books: 1. The Price Whisperer: A Holistic Approach to Pricing Power: https://www.amazon.com/Price-Whisperer-Holistic-Approach-Pricing/dp/1637351178 2. 7 Easy Steps To Successfully Increase Prices: ...And Keep Your Customers Happy: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Steps-Successfully-Increase-Prices-ebook/dp/B015GOOMJY/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1663298761&refinements=p_27%3APer+Sjofors&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Per+Sjofors
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Certified EOS Implementer® Jeff Starin to share the remarkable story of how he grew his business by 484% after implementing EOS® & transforming the way he led his company. Jeff’s entrepreneurial journey is anything but ordinary. After leaving college to become a professional pool player, he started an auto parts business with the simple goal of earning enough money to one day open a pool hall. Over the years, he built the company into a successful business, but after reaching around $5 million in revenue, growth completely stalled. For four consecutive years, sales remained virtually unchanged, leaving Jeff searching for a better way forward. Everything changed when Jeff discovered the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. Like many business owners, he initially chose to self-implement after reading Traction. While the tools helped, he quickly realised that trying to facilitate the process himself limited the results. Bringing in an experienced EOS® Implementer became the turning point, giving his leadership team the accountability, structure & objective guidance they needed to gain real Traction®. One of the biggest breakthroughs came through redesigning The Accountability Chart® & clearly defining the Visionary & Integrator roles. Jeff explains how understanding his natural strengths as a Visionary & finding the right Integrator to drive execution allowed him to stop being the bottleneck in the business. By learning to delegate effectively & empowering others to lead, the company experienced dramatic improvements in both performance & culture. Debra & Jeff also discuss the power of EOS® tools such as Level 10 Meeting® & IDS®. Jeff shares why helping leadership teams identify the real issue, instead of treating symptoms, transforms the quality of conversations, accelerates decision-making & creates a stronger culture of accountability. They also explore why difficult conversations become much easier when leadership teams have clear data, defined expectations & a proven framework for solving problems. Throughout the episode, Jeff shares practical leadership lessons that extend beyond EOS®, including why businesses move at the speed of their decisions, the importance of understanding what customers are truly paying for, & why happiness often lies on the other side of the difficult conversations leaders avoid. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs who want to grow their business, overcome the plateau many companies experience, & discover how EOS® can help build a stronger leadership team, create greater accountability & unlock sustainable long-term growth. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer® | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Jeff Starin – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffstarineosimplementer ► Website – Entrepreneurs Organization - Los Angeles Valley: https://eolavalley.com Ep 282 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:57 – Building a Business by Accident 02:02 – Discovering EOS and Achieving 484% Growth 06:03 – Visionary vs Integrator: Finding the Missing Piece 08:02 – The Difference Between Visionaries and Integrators 22:20 – Helping Businesses Grow Is the Greatest Reward 44:34 – Jeff's Top Three Business Lessons
"Being an excellent husband, father, friend & entrepreneur is a choice. Easy to say, hard to do." That's how Corey describes himself on his LinkedIn Profile & when you listen to this podcast you'll understand how he achieves all of these. Corey works as the Co-Owner & President of All Volleyball Inc - a family-owned business that has been running for many years. Just 2 years ago, after trying to implement many other business systems, the family business decided to go with EOS & use a professional implementer to help them. In that time they have survived & thrived throughout a pandemic & grown the business to 5x its revenue. However, it hasn't been without its challenges. Find out why they chose to go with EOS, what it has done for the business & how they went from 5 family members on the leadership team down to just one but how they still all get along & love each other. Their story is VERY inspiring & if you're a family business owner or part of a family business, you will take a lot from this episode.
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Kris Snyder, Chief Advocate at Ninety.io, to explore how EOS® Powered by AI is helping leadership teams work smarter, run better meetings & build scalable businesses. Kris shares his journey from building five software companies & surviving the dot-com crash to becoming an EOS® Implementer & one of the driving forces behind Ninety.io. Today, the platform supports more than 18,000 companies & over 300,000 users, while staying grounded in the core principles of EOS®. A major focus of the conversation is how AI is transforming the way businesses use EOS®. Kris explains that AI is not replacing the EOS® process or the role of the EOS® Implementer. Instead, it removes administrative work, surfaces insights & helps leadership teams spend more time solving real business issues. Debra & Kris discuss how AI-powered tools within Ninety.io can improve meeting preparation, identify patterns, provide visibility into team performance & help leaders ask better questions. They also explore how Ninety.io is balancing innovation with the simplicity that makes EOS® so effective. Beyond technology, Kris shares why exit planning should begin long before a business owner is ready to sell. He explains how EOS® helps businesses become less dependent on the founder by building stronger leadership teams, clearer accountability & systems that allow the business to thrive independently. Throughout the episode, Debra & Kris reinforce that while AI can improve productivity & efficiency, lasting business success still depends on clear leadership, disciplined execution & meaningful human relationships. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs & leadership teams who want to understand how EOS® Powered by AI can improve meetings, strengthen accountability, simplify operations & build a business ready for the future. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer® | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Kris Snyder – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krissnyder/ ► Website – Kris Snyder: https://krissnyder.com/ Ep 281 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 47:04 – Transition to EOS and Ninety.io 47:19 – Changes in Ninety.io and EOS Purity 47:33 – Impact of AI on EOS and Ninety.io 47:47 – Challenges and Opportunities in EOS Implementation 50:11 – Planning for Exit and Personal Growth 50:44 – Advocacy and Community Building 53:26 – Final Thoughts and Tips
Do you have an exit strategy? Because guess what, we are all going to exit our businesses one day, simply because we are human. That's the bottom line. Most people don't think about who the most important investor is in their business, which of course is themselves. Even if they're 100%, shareholder, they are the most important investor in the business. So thinking about somewhere down the track, how you're going to move on from that business is essential. Kerry Boulton is a professional EOS Implementer, a certified exit planner and a certified value builder. In this episode, she discusses the necessity of having an exit strategy, even if you're planning on staying in the business for decades to come. She shares the 5 questions you must ask yourself to put an exit strategy in place and why it's important to think about these things to be in control. Listen to find out how you can strategise now to exit on your terms, in your timeframe.
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Niki Wilson, founder of Snapline Systems and Professional EOS Implementer®, to explore the challenges of attempting to self-implement EOS and why many leadership teams ultimately realise they need external support. Niki shares her journey as the first employee of a fast-growing software company, where she worked closely with an inspiring Visionary owner to help scale the business. As the company grew, clarity around roles, priorities & accountability became increasingly difficult. Together, Niki & the owner recognised that EOS® was exactly what the business needed. Like many leadership teams, they initially chose to self-implement, believing they could learn & apply the tools themselves. While self-implementing EOS® created significant improvements, Niki explains that it also revealed its limitations. Leadership time that could have been focused on growing the business was instead spent facilitating sessions, learning the process & keeping everyone aligned. Eventually, they realised that bringing in an objective EOS® Implementer could accelerate progress, challenge assumptions & allow the leadership team to focus on leading rather than facilitating. A major theme throughout the conversation is the power of the Accountability Chart®. Niki describes it as one of the most transformational EOS® tools because it creates clarity around roles, responsibilities & expectations. Rather than organising people around job titles, the Accountability Chart® helps leadership teams build the structure the business actually needs to achieve its vision. The discussion also covers the impact of the Level 10 Meeting®, the EOS® Proven Process & why consistent execution is far more valuable than trying to customise or shortcut the system. Throughout the episode, Niki emphasises that EOS® is not simply a collection of business tools. It is a complete operating system that delivers the greatest results when followed as designed. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs considering self-implementing EOS®, leadership teams looking to create greater clarity & accountability, & business owners who want to understand when bringing in an experienced EOS® Implementer can dramatically accelerate their journey towards Vision, Traction, Healthy™. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Niki Wilson – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niki-t-wilson/ ► Website – EOS Worldwide: Niki Wilson, EOS Implementer, New Orleans | EOS Implementer | EOS Worldwide Ep 280 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:51 – Nikki Wilson’s Background and EOS® Journey 03:22 – Challenges of Self-Implementing EOS® 03:36 – The Role of the Accountability Chart® 05:22 – The Impact of EOS® Tools and Meetings 10:55 – Focus Day and the EOS® Proven Process 18:59 – The Role of an EOS® Implementer 21:39 – The Visionary–Integrator Dynamic 27:36 – The Power of the Issues Solving Track (IDS) 31:33 – Top Tips and Tools for Success
Liam Forde is the founder & CEO of The Zone, which empowers people to integrate their head and their heart, unlock their whole person and unleash the collective intelligence of their organisations and teams. In this podcast, we talk about the lessons he has learned from building his own company up to 600 staff & $30 million revenue as well as the lessons he has worked with some of the largest companies around the world. Who am I? What do I stand for (or against)? Where am I going? What is my mission/purpose? Leadership, culture and sustainability are defined by your answers to these questions. Life is a balance between your inner world and your outer world. How you define yourself is one of the most important tasks you will ever undertake because this directs how you will interact with the world, with others, your family, friends and work colleagues. As a leader, we create big ripples. We create ripples as much by how we are being as what we are doing. What legacy do you want to leave? Do you want to be a net Giver or a net Taker? This is how Liam introduces himself on his LinkedIn Profile. He has worked in over 35 countries in dozens of different settings from Africa to Australia, Asia to America, the Middle East to Europe....in mud huts and in corporate towers. His mission is to show leaders how to be masters of their own destiny, and to pay that forward. By making organisations more human, they unlock performance, talent, value, and happiness. Be better, do better. Make your organisation more human. Make the world more sustainable.
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life , Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with AI expert & “AI Whisperer” Severin Sorensen discuss about how AI isn't replacing you, but it's making you more valuable. Severin shares his remarkable journey from writing an entire book with AI in just five days to becoming a leading advocate for the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Rather than seeing AI as a replacement for people, Severin believes its real power lies in amplifying human capability, helping leaders think better, solve problems faster & create greater value. One of the biggest ideas in this conversation is the power of using multiple AI models instead of relying on just one. Severin explains how different AI platforms have different strengths, & how leaders can orchestrate them together to create a powerful “thinking team” that challenges ideas, improves decisions & produces stronger results than a single model working alone. This philosophy forms the foundation of his latest book, Claude Conductor, which explores how AI can be used as an intelligent orchestrator, not just a chatbot. Debra & Severin also discuss practical ways to improve AI efficiency. From writing better prompts & defining tasks clearly before execution to converting PDFs into markdown files to reduce token costs, Severin shares techniques that can help leaders increase productivity while reducing unnecessary AI expenses. The conversation also tackles one of the most important topics surrounding artificial intelligence today: ethics. Severin explains why businesses must develop & use AI responsibly, ensuring it strengthens human judgement rather than replacing it. He encourages leaders to treat AI as a trusted thinking partner that asks better questions, challenges assumptions & supports more informed decisions. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, business owners & leadership teams who want to move beyond basic prompting & unlock the true potential of artificial intelligence to build a better business & a better life. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Severin Sorensen – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/severinsorensen ► Website – ePraxis: https://www.epraxis.com Ep 279 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:39 – Ethical AI and Personal Efficiency 04:53 – Becoming the AI Whisperer 10:29 – The Role of AI in Coaching and Business 15:29 – Ethical Considerations and the Future of AI 41:03 – Practical Applications and Efficiency in AI Use 53:44 – The Impact of AI on Business and Society 56:45 – Final Thoughts and Future Outlook
Scott's book is called, "The Entrepreneurs Field Guide - Design your life before someone else does it for you!" but in fact, you could insert any other phrase in there - 'your year', 'your day', 'your business' etc. Success isn’t rocket science. It’s all about getting clear on what you want and focusing on it. Take a moment and ask yourself, what would happen if you set huge ambitions and designed your life around making these things real? So, as we head into the New Year, have you planned out what you want that year to look like. Are you serious about what is truly important & have blocked time out for it in your calendar? Do you know the optimal number of days that you want to work in the year? Have you planned out all your holidays & family events? Are you choosing the people you spend time with? Do you fire friends who don't share the same values? Do you use the delegate & elevate tool to decide what's important to you in your personal life? In this episode, Scott shares how he plans out his year to suit his life, how he uses the EOS People Analyser to decide which family & friends fit into his 5, 15, 150 model & how he uses the Delegate & Elevate tool to understand what he should spend his time doing. If you're ready to this year your best year yet then you listen in & hear how the EOS tools can help you to design your year before someone else does it for you!
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Darryl Dillon-Shallard, Chief Growth Officer at Butterfly, to explore how AI is making custom software affordable again. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in the digital industry, Darryl shares his journey from graphic designer to digital strategist, including the development of the My Stable app for horse trainers and his work helping organisations build custom digital solutions that solve real business problems. The conversation explores how AI is fundamentally changing software development. Darryl explains that artificial intelligence is dramatically reducing the time and cost required to prototype new ideas, making custom-built applications more accessible than ever before. Rather than forcing businesses to adapt their processes to off-the-shelf software, organisations can increasingly develop solutions tailored to the way they already operate. While AI presents exciting opportunities, Darryl cautions against rushing into development without proper planning. He explains why investing time in discovery, understanding user needs, creating a detailed project brief, and choosing the right development partner are all essential to delivering scalable, maintainable solutions that provide long-term value. The episode also looks at the evolution of digital technology, from the early days of Flash websites and mobile apps to today's cloud-based web applications powered by artificial intelligence. Darryl shares why many organisations are shifting towards browser-based applications that streamline internal workflows, improve productivity, and solve operational challenges more effectively than traditional mobile apps. Whether you're considering a custom application, exploring AI opportunities, or simply trying to understand where technology is heading, this conversation offers practical insights into how businesses can innovate with confidence while avoiding costly mistakes. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Darryl Dillon-Shallard – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-dillon-shallard/ ► Website – Butterfly: https://www.butterfly.com.au/ Episode 278 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:38 – Introduction and Overview of Digital Transformation 05:36 – Evolution of Web and App Development 09:51 – Challenges and Pitfalls in Digital Development 18:04 – Comparing Quotes and Making Informed Decisions 18:24 – Examples of Successful Projects 25:42 – Future Trends in Digital Development 26:29 – Final Thoughts and Tips for Listeners
Sara is on a quest to help owners get what they want from their family business and build lasting legacies. As the former director of the nationally recognized Family Business Center at the University of Saint Thomas, a Certified EOS Implementer™ and the founder of The Sage Pages she helps her clients get real, simple results. In this podcast Sara shares many real-life stories & tips from working with hundreds of family businesses. As her name suggests, Sara knows how to B Stern with her family clients to ensure that they get the next from their business & their life & she has had many successes in this area. Sara's top 3 tips are based on the Harvard Business School's Three-Circle Model of the Family Business System. She recommends getting clarity on the Vision for each the 3 points: Ownership Family Business
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Brendan Lee, founder of Conversions Today, to uncover one of the biggest marketing mistake business owners make: building marketing around what they like, instead of what their customers actually need. Brendan shares his journey from corporate life to building a specialist marketing agency that helps businesses in complex industries such as law, accounting & medical technology generate measurable growth. Along the way, he discovered that successful marketing is not just about creativity. It is about understanding people, tracking the right data & making decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions. A key theme throughout the conversation is the danger of vanity metrics. Brendan explains why likes, clicks & impressions can create a false sense of success when they are not connected to real business outcomes. Instead, he advocates for tracking the full customer journey, including offline activity such as phone calls, direct mail campaigns & letterbox drops. Debra & Brendan also explore the growing role of AI in marketing, including how it can improve efficiency, speed up content creation & support smarter decision-making, while still needing a clear plan behind it. Listeners will learn why effective marketing requires consistency, patience & a structured approach. Brendan also shares practical insights into ROI reverse engineering, helping businesses understand the true value of a customer before deciding how much to invest in acquisition. This episode is packed with practical advice for business owners who want to stop guessing, avoid costly marketing mistakes & build a marketing system that consistently supports long-term business growth CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Brendan Lee – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bdanlee/ ► Website – Conversion Today: https://conversions.today/ Episode 277 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:35 – Marketing Strategy and Introduction to Brendan Lee 27:26 – Brendan’s Agency and Marketing Approach 27:53 – Effective Marketing Strategies and Mistakes to Avoid 29:11 – The Role of Data and AI in Marketing 41:50 – Practical Tips for Improving Marketing Effectiveness
Ryan Goodwin is the founder of Mode Group, an award winning renovation and new home custom builders in Melbourne, Australia. Ryan has been an entrepreneur since the age of 14 years old, mowing lawns and all the usual stuff that teenagers do. He started his business, Mode Group, about 13 years, but he only really stepped back into it about five years ago with no guarantees that it was going to work out but his most important driving factor was about creating something that was right for his family. He blended coaching, performance management and consulting with his current skills and decided to take on some larger roles. Five years later, they're now a multi-award-winning builder in Melbourne, they have a fantastic showroom and interior designers on staff. He has the mantra of doing what you are passionate about & doing what you love with people you love - the EOS Life! In this episode, Ryan discusses the balance he created between work and family. How he enjoys life, delegating and trusting his staff with all the responsibilities assigned to them and also the challenges they faced.
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor & Adam Harris explore why Visionaries can become bottlenecks, and what leaders can do to break free from the behaviours that hold their businesses back. Drawing on their experience as EOS® Implementers, Debra & Adam unpack the powerful relationship between Visionary & Integrator leadership styles, including why clarity, trust, self-awareness & healthy conflict are essential for long-term business growth. They discuss one of the most common challenges entrepreneurs face: letting go. Many Visionaries know they need to step back from day-to-day operations, but fear, control, past experiences or a love of chaos can keep them involved in areas where they no longer add the most value. The conversation explores why Visionaries need a strong sounding board, how the “golden penny” problem pulls leaders away from priorities, and why a clear vision is very different from simply having lots of ideas. Listeners will also gain practical insights into strengthening Visionary & Integrator partnerships, improving leadership alignment, and creating a business that can grow without being dependent on one person. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Adam Harris – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adam-harris-eos/ ► Website – EOS Worldwide: https://www.eosworldwide.com/adam-harris Episode 276 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:34 – Understanding the Visionary and Integrator Roles 05:30 – Defining the Visionary and Integrator Roles 11:18 – Challenges of Being a Visionary 27:15 – Balancing Visionary and Integrator Roles 30:07 – Identifying Great Ideas vs Distractions 41:40 – Overcoming Common Pitfalls 41:58 – Building a Strong Visionary–Integrator Relationship 51:24 – Addressing Relationship Issues 53:55 – Tools and Resources for Visionaries
Shelley Woodrow is a certified EOS Implementer who walks the EOS life - doing what she loves, with people she loves, making a huge difference while having time to pursue other passions. Born and raised in an entrepreneurial family, she learnt how to run & own your own business and lead people effectively. Working extensively in media then following her passion for coaching, she discovered EOS and fell in love. In this episode she shares her favourite tools and case studies of how EOS has transformed the businesses & leadership teams she's worked with. People, especially entrepreneurs, tend to over-complicate things, making it harder than it needs to be. Find out how you can simplify to optimise, isolate & delegate what you don't love to do and have the right people in the right seat - including yourself! "Get great energy that's derived from the things that you like and love to do. You're focused on your strengths & talents, and you're able to focus in the business where you want to add the most value. And so you get to live the EOS life. Part of the joy for me is helping you see beyond the business results. What kind of life do you want to live?" Looking to figure out what your definition of EOS life is or how you can live it? Don't miss the full episode!
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor explores how EOS and AI can give your team 10 hours back every week with AI strategist, author, and CEO of Bizukka, John Munsell. As AI continues to reshape the way organisations operate, many businesses are rushing to implement new tools without the governance, training, or strategy needed to use them effectively. John explains why this approach creates significant risks and often prevents companies from achieving the productivity gains they expect. Drawing on his experience as CEO of Bizukka and creator of the AI Strategy Canvas, John introduces the concept of the 10 Levels of AI Mastery, a framework designed to help organisations build AI capability in a structured and responsible way. Rather than jumping straight into advanced automation, he argues that businesses must first develop collective expertise, clear processes, and strong AI governance. Throughout the conversation, John shares practical examples of how AI can dramatically improve efficiency when implemented correctly. One standout case study reveals how a CEO used AI to streamline complex RFP responses, reducing a three-week process to just three days and saving more than $70,000 in the process. Debra and John also discuss the growing security concerns surrounding AI, including phishing attacks, autonomous agents, and the risks of employees using AI tools without proper oversight. John warns that poor AI adoption is not simply a technology problem. It is a leadership problem that requires education, accountability, and clear policies across the organisation. The discussion covers how businesses can integrate AI into every department, the importance of upskilling employees, and why organisations that invest in training can unlock 10 to 12 hours of productive time per employee every week. John also shares insights into advanced AI tools, practical implementation strategies, and the importance of balancing innovation with governance. He introduces his AI Impact Analysis tool and explains how businesses can assess their readiness for AI before making significant investments. This episode is essential listening for business owners and leadership teams who want to harness the power of AI while avoiding the costly consequences of poor AI adoption, ensuring technology becomes a competitive advantage rather than a business risk. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► John Munsell – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwmunsell/ ► Website: Bizzuka: www.bizzuka.com Episode 275 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:40 – Impact of AI on Businesses 04:23 – Levels of AI Mastery 12:54 – AI in Business Operations 17:50 – Common Mistakes in AI Implementation 26:11 – AI Governance and Security 34:41 – Tools and Resources for AI Implementation 35:00 – Practical Tips for AI Adoption 35:16 – Community and Support for AI Implementation 37:17 – Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Danny Mishek is President and Visionary of VistaTek, a family owned full-service manufacturing company in the US. One of his proudest achievements is recently publishing a children's Christmas book that gets everyone talking about their fondest, warmest memories. In business, he puts innovation at the heart of VistaTek. They strive to be world-class innovators, not just competing in the Midwest, or the US. He shares how EOS has helped him delegate and elevate, freeing him up to do what he's best at & loves doing - connecting with people and discovering growth opportunities. In life, he consistently pushes himself outside his comfort zone, like riding a real bull or writing and self-publishing a book. He discusses the importance of sharing your personality and true character, which in turn opens you up to interesting conversations and deeper relationships. Find out why he wrote a Christmas book seemingly out of the blue, his experience in a family business that went through a merger & EOS implementation and what it actually felt like to ride a bull!
In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Rajesh Nagjee to explore the connection between the business you build and the life you ultimately create. Rajesh, founder of the CEO Business Growth Programme and creator of the CEO Freedom Operating System, shares his remarkable journey from working in his family business to building a 450-bed trauma care hospital that transformed healthcare outcomes in his region. Along the way, he discovered that business success is not simply about strategy, systems, or execution. It is about aligning the inner game and outer game of leadership. Throughout the conversation, Rajesh explains that while frameworks such as EOS and Rockefeller Habits can produce exceptional business results, sustainable success requires leaders to develop the mindset, self-awareness, and emotional resilience needed to drive those systems effectively. Without this inner work, many founders achieve external success while sacrificing personal fulfilment, relationships, and wellbeing. Drawing on lessons from healthcare, entrepreneurship, and decades of coaching business owners, Rajesh highlights the importance of time-criticality, intentional leadership, and creating businesses that are aligned with personal values. He shares how fear, doubt, anxiety, and limiting beliefs can quietly undermine performance, even when a business appears successful on the surface. The discussion also explores the difference between the fruits of success and the experience of success. Rajesh challenges founders to think beyond revenue, growth, and achievement, and consider whether the business they build is actually creating the life they want to live. Rajesh introduces the CEO Freedom Operating System, a framework designed to help entrepreneurs align personal purpose with business outcomes, creating both commercial success and personal fulfilment. He explains how focusing on the inner game allows leaders to make better decisions, build stronger teams, and create lasting impact. This episode is a powerful reminder that the business you build should not come at the expense of your relationships, health, or happiness. Instead, it should become a vehicle for creating freedom, fulfilment, and a meaningful legacy both inside and outside the business. CONNECT WITH DEBRA: ___________________________________________ ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au ►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ ►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ ___________________________________________ GUEST’S DETAILS: ► Rajesh Nagjee – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeshnagjee/ ► Website: LevelUp Management Consultancy: https://www.levelupmentor.ae Episode 274 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:37 – Purpose of the Podcast 02:47 – Rajesh Najee’s Background and Early Career 06:05 – Lessons from Running a Hospital 14:31 – The Inner Game of Business 18:07 – Case Study: American Express Saudi Arabia 23:13 – Identifying Stuck Founders 25:27 – The CEO Freedom Operating System 28:05 – Advice for Founders and CEOs 28:50 – Conclusion and Contact Information
Greg Lipschitz is founder & CEO of Summit Internet, a telecommunications company that owns and manages their national network. Through innovation & customer-oriented service, they’re challenging the way their competitors do business - as a result, Summit Internet is one of Australia’s fastest growing internet providers. Greg has been a business owner for over 22 years and he is most proud of growing & maintaining a high performing team. He loves seeing his team succeed & completely trusts them, knowing that he can step out of the business and they will continue to strive & achieve amazing things. Earlier this year, he actually had to take 6 weeks off due to a broken collarbone & didn't have to do a thing. He could & did walk away knowing full well that everything would run exactly as it should. In this episode, Greg shares insider tips & tricks to points hacking – being smart about where & how you spend your money to get some extra perks. “We all work so damn hard as business owners and we sometimes forget about the things that we can take out of the business that might not be financial. It might just be being able to travel in style.” So one of the things he’s focused on over the last 22 years is how he can points hack through business and get that extra value & additional benefits to enjoy life even more. And one of these benefits can be travelling up at the pointy end of the plane! He shares the differences between points and status & how you can leverage both to your advantage. Not only that, you can use these points to reward amazing staff – for example, picking up their flight costs when they go on holiday. Listen to the full episode to find out how you can change your spending habits to get you the biggest rewards. It may be something as simple as changing where you put petrol in your car!
