EOS for a Better Business, Better Life

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor challenges the annual ritual of New Year’s resolutions and explains why most of them quietly collapse by February. Debra unpacks the three big illusions that keep entrepreneurs stuck. The belief in a magical fresh start, the short-lived energy of January, and the assumption that wanting change is the same as committing to it. She shares a loving truth many leaders need to hear. You are not lazy or undisciplined, you are overloaded and unsupported by structure. Rather than chasing motivation, Debra offers a simpler, more sustainable approach. Choosing just two non-negotiable anchors for the year, one personal and one business, and building a consistent weekly rhythm that makes progress unavoidable. She explores how creating friction for old habits, setting firm boundaries, and planning energy into the calendar are essential for real change. The episode also highlights a crucial but often ignored factor in personal follow-through. Your team. Debra explains why individual willpower is not enough, and how tenacious, accountable teams make long-term change possible. If you are tired of setting goals you do not keep and ready to build a year that actually sticks, this episode will help you replace resolutions with systems and start the year with clarity, compassion, and traction.    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/       Episode 253 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction 00:33 – New Year’s Resolutions and Structural Failures   01:54 – Three January Illusions   02:51 – Loving Truths and Overloading   04:49 – The Three-Week Slump   06:40 – Setting Goals and Building Systems   07:13 – Creating Friction and Setting Boundaries   09:04 – Treating Yourself with Compassion   10:19 – The Role of Tenacious Teams   

In this holiday episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor tackles a familiar but rarely confronted reality for entrepreneurs: most don’t truly rest over the Christmas break, they simply pause while staying mentally tethered to work.  Debra unpacks the subtle behaviours that sabotage real downtime, from “just checking emails” to quietly solving work problems in your head and explains why these habits prevent genuine recovery. She shares why true rest isn’t indulgent or irresponsible, but essential for clear thinking, strong leadership, and sustainable businesses.  Through her signature lens of fierce clarity and loving truth, Debra outlines five practical steps for a healthy Christmas break, choosing presence, resting without guilt, reflecting lightly, reconnecting with who you are beyond the business, and letting go of martyr behaviour. She also explores why family businesses often struggle at Christmas, and how blurred boundaries can quietly undermine both rest and relationships.  The episode closes with Debra sharing her own plans for switching off properly, offering a grounded reminder that a business strong enough to survive your absence is a sign of leadership done well.  So if you’re heading into the festive season exhausted, distracted, or secretly planning to “just check in,” this episode is your permission slip, and your plan, to truly rest.    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/     Episode 252 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction 00:38 – Christmas Break Realities for Entrepreneurs   02:32 – The Truth About Entrepreneurs’ Christmas Breaks   04:23 – The Importance of Rest for Entrepreneurs   05:20 – Family Businesses and Christmas   08:50 – Preparing Your Business for a Proper Break   11:26 – Debra’s Personal Christmas Plans 

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Kerry Boulton, an experienced exit planner, business coach, and investor, for a candid conversation about what really happens when business owners don’t plan their exit. Drawing on decades of lived experience, Kerry shares her journey from running a major division in the 1980s to owning, exiting, and reinvesting in multiple businesses. She unpacks a confronting statistic from the Exit Planning Institute: 73% of business owners regret selling their business, largely because they failed to plan both the exit itself and what comes next. Together, Debra and Kerry explore what it truly means to be exit-ready, from strong financials, systems, and succession planning, to reducing owner dependency and thinking deeply about purpose beyond the business. The conversation also dives into family business succession, the emotional realities of exiting, and why starting at least three years early can make all the difference. This episode is a powerful reminder that exiting a business isn’t a single transaction, it’s a transition. And done well, it can set you up not just for financial security, but for a meaningful and intentional next chapter of 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/ ___________________________________________ GUESTS DETAILS: ► Kerry Boulton – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/businessvaluebuildermelbourne/ ► Get Her Complimentary Valuation Assessment: https://theexitstrategygroup.com.au/value-builder-questionnaire/ ► Get Her Book, The Uncensored Truth about Exit Strategies: https://freeexitstrategybook.com.au/      Episode 251 Chapters:    0:00 – Kerry’s Introduction and Background in Exit Planning   2:29 – The Journey to Business Ownership and Initial Challenges   7:33 – Implementing TQM and Attracting International Buyers   11:25 – The Importance of Exit Planning for Baby Boomers   14:35 – The Impact of Not Having an Exit Strategy   19:53 – Financial Considerations and the Role of Professionals   25:38 – Family Business Succession Planning   32:58 – The Importance of Systems and Financial Health   36:48 – The Role of Earn-Outs and Private Equity   40:22 – Top Tips for Exit Planning   

In this week’s Better Business, Better Life podcast, Debra Chantry-Taylor delves into the costly consequences of half-committing to EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), revealing how partial implementation leads to confusion, trust issues, and stunted growth. Through real-life examples and stories, Debra stresses the importance of committing fully to EOS, including consistently running Level 10 meetings, maintaining accurate scorecards, and setting realistic rocks (priorities). Debra also highlights the essential leadership practices required for success with EOS, such as clear direction, accountability, and the LMA (Lead, Manage, Accountability) tools, which provide structure and ensure the right people are in the right seats. The episode provides actionable insights for business leaders to get back on track and achieve transformation by embracing EOS tools and practices with dedication and consistency. If you’re struggling with half-implementing EOS or facing bottlenecks in your business, this episode is a must-listen. It’s time to break free from the chaos and make the full commitment to EOS for your company’s success.     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/ ___________________________________________ Free Resources: Organisational Checkup: https://bbbl.pub/OrgCheckUp      Episode 250 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction 00:41 – Commitment to EOS and Leadership Practices   01:43 – The Great Business Lie and Half-Using EOS   04:50 – Costs of Half-Using EOS   06:26 – The Role of LMA in EOS   08:40 – Full Commitment to EOS   12:19 – Steps to Get Back on Track with EOS   14:57 – Conclusion and Call to Action 

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Owen Garrity, founder and lead creative of FPW Media, to explore his remarkable journey from professional photographer to leading a 50-person full-service agency, all without external investment. Owen shares the pivotal lessons he’s learned along the way, from paying four months’ rent upfront just to secure his first space, to scaling through grit, creativity, and an unshakable belief in saying “yes” to opportunity. He opens up about the challenges of delegation, the balance between control and trust, and the importance of celebrating wins, even when growth feels relentless. Together, Debra and Owen dive into the core principles that have shaped FPW Media’s success: client-centricity, a commitment to team culture, and the courage to follow intuition. Owen also gives a glimpse into his next chapter, expanding into AI-driven services, new industries, and strategic acquisitions, while maintaining the same passion and purpose that started it all. This episode is an inspiring listen for entrepreneurs who believe in building something extraordinary from the ground up, one bold decision at a time. 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/ ___________________________________________ GUESTS DETAILS: ►Owen Garrity – LinkedIn ►Owen Garrity – Website       Episode 249 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction 00:43 – Owen Garrity’s Journey and Philosophy   04:31 – Building FPW Media from Scratch   08:50 – Lessons Learned in Leadership   17:30 – Growth and Client-Centric Approach   31:02 – Building Trust and Team Dynamics   35:27 – Future Plans and Personal Life   39:07 – Advice for Entrepreneurs   

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor welcomes back Scott Rusnak, EOS Implementer, author and cyclist, for an inspiring conversation on designing a life that truly aligns with your values. Drawing from his new book, Who is the Architect of Your Own Life, Scott shares practical exercises to help you achieve clarity, purpose and balance. He uses his signature analogy of juggling life’s “balls” such as business, family, health and faith to illustrate how to prioritise what matters most without dropping the ones that cannot bounce back. Together, Debra and Scott explore how EOS tools and strong core values can guide your business decisions and also support your personal growth. They discuss the importance of planning intentional time with loved ones, maintaining daily health habits and surrounding yourself with supportive people. With plenty of warmth and wisdom, this episode is a reminder that true success is not just about business wins. It is about living deliberately, loving fully and designing your life on purpose. 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/ ___________________________________________ GUESTS DETAILS: ►Scott Rusnak – LinkedIn ►Scott Rusnak – Website Episode 248 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction 00:38 – EOS Life and Importance of People 05:45 – Scott Rusnak’s Journey and Insights 07:05 – Balancing Business and Personal Life 11:04 – EOS Implementation and Core Values 18:02 – Core Values and Business Success 29:04 – Planning and Clarity Breaks 32:15 – Scott’s Book and Personal Stories 39:28 – Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor dives deep into the Issues Solving Track (IDS), a core component of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). She explains how spending 80-85% of your problem-solving time on identifying the right issue can lead to better solutions, faster results, and a more efficient team. She walks you through the three-step IDS process: Identify, Discuss, and Solve, emphasising the power of asking the right clarifying questions, like the Five Whys, to uncover root causes. She also introduces the concept of the Issue Champion, the person who drives the issue-solving process forward, ensuring the issue gets the attention it needs. Debra also shares real-world examples and practical tips for using IDS effectively, so you can tackle your business problems like a pro. If you're struggling with recurring issues in your business, this episode will help you break them down and come up with actionable solutions. Tune in to learn how mastering IDS can lead to more sustainable business growth and smoother team dynamics!   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/ ___________________________________________         FREE RESOURCES: IDS - Getting Clear on the Issue: https://bbbl.pub/IDS    Episode 247 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction 00:36 – Understanding the Issues Solving Track (IDS)   03:49 – The Importance of Proper Identification   05:30 – The Role of the Issue Champion   06:15 – Clarifying Questions in the Identify Step   09:16 – The Discuss and Solve Steps   12:16 – The Five Whys Technique   13:48 – Real-World Examples of IDS in Action   15:14 – Recap and Challenge

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Beth Fahey, a former filmmaker turned bakery owner who grew her business from two to 32 employees before discovering the power of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Beth shares how tools like the Accountability Chart and Level 10 Meetings transformed her team’s communication, culture, and focus, and how she now helps other business leaders achieve the same results as a professional EOS Implementer. Together, she and Debra explore what it really takes to create strong leadership, foster accountability, and maintain alignment as a company scales. They also chat about Beth’s upcoming book on EOS rollout, her inspiring podcast Bad Boss Confessional, and the importance of self-care and vulnerability in leadership.Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting your EOS journey, this episode is packed with relatable insights and practical tools to help you lead with clarity, courage, and compassion. 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 DETAILS: ► Beth Fahey – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethfahey/ ► Beth Fahey – Website: https://www.bethfahey.com/ ► Beth Fahey – EOS Worldwide: https://implementer.eosworldwide.com/beth-fahey/ ► Bad Boss Confessional Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/07WsPdrtQt3h69PPdL2GXB?si=9980d86bf5c94556 Episode 246 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction 01:08 – Leadership and Accountability in Business   30:05 – Beth’s Career Journey and EOS Implementation   30:16 – The Impact of the Traction Book and EOS Implementation   30:36 – Level 10 Meetings and Team Engagement   32:08 – Rolling Out EOS and Overcoming Resistance   32:21 – The Role of Leadership Teams and Operational Teams   37:40 – Financial Transparency and Team Engagement   43:36 – The Importance of Self-Care for Leaders   44:44 – Beth’s Podcast: Bad Boss Confessional   49:39 – Final Thoughts and Contact Information  

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor tackles one of the hardest parts of leadership, dealing with underperforming employees. With honesty and compassion, she explains why avoiding tough conversations only damages trust, culture, and team morale. Debra introduces practical EOS tools like the People Analyser and the SBI (Situation, Behaviour, Impact) model to help leaders give clear, kind, and effective feedback. She explores how to balance courage with compassion, offering coaching and support where improvement is possible, and guiding respectful exits when it’s not. Packed with real-world stories, including how one business boosted performance by 20% after making a difficult staffing change, this episode is a must-listen for any leader who wants to strengthen trust, improve culture, and lead with confidence. Because great leadership isn’t about avoiding discomfort, it’s about doing what’s right for the business and the people in it. 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/ ____________________________________________         Episode 245 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction00:38 – Handling Persistent Performance Issues in Leadership   02:12 – Reasons for Avoiding Tough Decisions   04:10 – Using the People Analyser Tool   07:51 – Radical Candour and Specific Feedback   09:58 – Changing the Person or the Role   11:46 – Reflecting and Taking Action   14:05 – Final Thoughts and Resources

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor chats with Sarah Thomas, an email marketing automation expert who reveals how smart, personalised emails can outperform social media and transform customer relationships. Sarah shares her journey from managing data systems at Debenhams to helping businesses craft meaningful automations, from welcome sequences to post-purchase follow-ups and re-engagement campaigns. She explains why success isn’t about list size, but about clean data, segmentation, and connection. Listeners will learn how to audit their customer journeys, implement high-performing automations, and focus on metrics that truly drive conversions. With open rates up to 40%, compared to social media’s 3%, Sarah proves that email remains the most powerful tool for turning subscribers into loyal customers. If you’re ready to ditch generic blasts and start building relationships that convert, this episode is your step-by-step guide.    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 DETAILS: ► Sarah Thomas – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-thomas-9417493a/ ► Tierra Marketing Co. Website: https://www.tierramarketingco.com/ ► Free Resources: Media Kit: https://media-kit-sarah-tierra-marketing-co.tiiny.site/ Email Growth Blueprint: https://www.tierramarketingco.com/email-growth-blueprint      Episode 244 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction and Background   01:36 – Early Career and Email Marketing   04:18 – Challenges and Importance of Data   05:30 – Customer Life Cycle and Email Automation   11:44 – Mapping the Customer Journey   13:24 – A/B Testing and Metrics   32:32 – Case Studies and Real-World Examples   32:57 – Practical Tips and Tools   33:10 – Final Thoughts and Resources