EOS for a Better Business, Better Life

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 

In this heartfelt episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor welcomes back relationship coach and former therapist Kathy Rushing to explore how entrepreneurs can strengthen their marriages while building successful businesses. Drawing on decades of experience, and her own 45-year marriage to a serial entrepreneur, Kathy shares her powerful CRAVE framework: Communication, Rituals and Rhythms, Appreciation and Affirmation, Vision, and Energy. Together, she and Debra unpack how small, intentional habits can keep relationships strong through the chaos of entrepreneurship. From recognising early warning signs of drifting apart to using tools like the DISC profile and the Weekly Marriage Compass, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help couples stay connected, communicate better, and build shared visions for life and business. Warm, wise, and deeply relatable, it’s a reminder that success at work means little without harmony at home, and that every great business starts with a strong foundation of love and understanding.    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: ► Kathy Rushing – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-rushing/ ► Lodestar Relationship Coaching Website: https://kathyrushing.com/     Episode 243 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction and Recap of Previous Discussion   01:54 – Kathy Rushing’s Background and the CRAVE Framework   04:50 – The Importance of Communication and Rituals   05:13 – Balancing Business and Marriage   18:44 – Tools and Assessments for Improving Marriage   31:06 – Identifying Early Warning Signs of Drift   32:40 – Strategies for Managing Stress in Marriage   32:57 – Top Tips for Improving Marriage   49:48 – Conclusion and Resources   

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Ian Murray, visionary of Murray Insurance and EOS Implementer, to explore how implementing EOS turned his chaotic insurance agency into a thriving, values-driven business. Ian opens up about his early struggles, working nonstop, feeling frustrated with his team, and trying to self-implement EOS before realising the true power of doing it with his people, not to them. With honesty and humour, he shares how EOS tools like the Level 10 Meeting, Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO), and Leadership + Management Accountability (LMA) framework reshaped his leadership and his company’s culture. From the moment a simple book recommendation, Traction, changed his path, to the pivotal “focus day” that led to one leader stepping down (and the business stepping up), Ian’s story is a powerful reminder that clarity and consistency beat chaos every time. Whether you’re self-implementing EOS or considering bringing in an implementer, this episode is packed with real-world lessons about alignment, accountability, and leading with vision.    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: ► Ian Murray – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianasmurray ► Ian Murray – EOS Worldwide: https://www.eosworldwide.com/ian-murray ► Murray Insurance Website: https://www.murrayinsurance.ca/    Episode 242 Chapters:    00:00 – Ian Murray’s Journey to EOS Implementation   07:16 – Challenges and Learnings in Implementing EOS   10:29 – The Impact of Vision and Core Focus   16:17 – The Role of the VTO and Accountability Chart   20:45 – The Power of Quarterly Conversations and LMA   45:17 – Ian’s Ideal Client and Final Tips   

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor dives into one of the most common traps for business leaders, taking on too many priorities and finishing none. Drawing on her experience as a certified EOS Implementer, Debra breaks down the power of setting clear, focused quarterly priorities or “rocks.” She explains why most leaders only have about 65 hours per quarter to work on the business, and how spreading that time too thin leads to burnout and stalled progress. Through practical examples and relatable stories, Debra shows how to define true rocks (not boulders), write SMART goals, and block time to make meaningful progress. She also shares how integrating rocks into weekly meetings and scorecards keeps teams aligned and accountable. Whether you’re a visionary constantly chasing new ideas or a leader buried in the day-to-day, this episode will help you refocus on what truly moves the business forward, fewer priorities, done better.   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: ► ROCKS – Why You Don’t Get Them Done  ► How to Think & Build SMART Rocks      Episode 241 Chapters:    00:00 – Episode Introduction and Purpose   01:22 – Understanding the Concept of Rocks   01:38 – Time Management and Prioritisation   05:08 – Defining and Managing Rocks   13:58 – Writing SMART Rocks   14:10 – Practical Tips for Managing Rocks

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by therapist and entrepreneurial spouse Kathy Rushing, as they explore how couples can thrive in both business and love. Kathy opens up about her own journey with her husband, Mark, a serial entrepreneur, and the strain that long hours, financial pressure, and constant business demands can place on a relationship. Together, Debra and Kathy dive into practical ways to protect your marriage from becoming a casualty of entrepreneurship. Through Kathy’s powerful CRAVE framework, Communication, Rhythms, Appreciation, Vision, and Energy - listeners discover how small, consistent habits can create deeper connection and resilience. From setting non-negotiable date nights to maintaining shared vision and gratitude, this episode offers a roadmap for couples who want both a thriving business and a fulfilling relationship.Warm, honest, and deeply relatable, this conversation reminds us that behind every great entrepreneur is often a great partner - and nurturing that partnership is the key to 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/ ____________________________________________         GUESTS DETAILS: ► Kathy Rushing - LinkedIn ► Lodestar Relationship Coaching - Website   Episode 240 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction and Guest Overview   02:47 – Kathy Rushing’s Background   11:27 – Challenges in Entrepreneurial Marriages   12:22 – The Importance of Enthusiastic Agreement   19:27 – Tools and Frameworks for Marriage Success   20:31 – Vision and Energy in Marriage   30:27 – Practical Tips for Entrepreneurial Couples   30:44 – Conclusion and Resources   

This week on Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Laurie Seymour, an EOS implementer, and Curtis Williams, her very first client and the owner of a thriving personal training studio.Curtis shares how the pandemic forced him to adapt, offering free Zoom classes that eventually evolved into a structured, scalable business model. Laurie, who found EOS after struggling with self-implementation, helped Curtis bring order and accountability into the business through tools like the Level 10 Meeting and the scorecard. Together, they reveal how EOS has transformed Curtis’s gym into a model built for growth.The conversation also explores the personal side of their relationship, from Laurie regaining her health and strength through Curtis’s training, to Curtis finding clarity and confidence as a leader. With insights on defining core values, staying the course with EOS, and planning for expansion, this episode is a masterclass in how structure and discipline create freedom.Whether you’re running a small business or looking to scale, Laurie and Curtis’s journey proves that with focus and the right tools, long-term success is well within reach.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: ► Laurie Seymour - LinkedIn ► Laurie Seymour - EOS Worldwide ► Curtis Williams - LinkedIn► Life Techs Fitness Episode 239 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction   00:53 – Background of the Guests 01:35 – Laurie’s Journey to Becoming an EOS Implementer 05:48 – Curtis’s Introduction to EOS09:00 – Implementing EOS in a Personal Training Business 12:40 – Challenges and Solutions in Implementing EOS13:37 – Impact of EOS on Business Operations27:16 – Personal and Professional Growth27:47 – Tips for Business Owners41:12 – Final Thoughts and Future Plans 

In another episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor welcomes EOS implementer and marketing agency owner Will Watrous, to share his remarkable business journey.  Will opens up about the stressful early days of running his agency, when explosive growth left him burnt out and barely scraping a 6% net profit. Everything changed when he discovered EOS. By embracing tools like the accountability chart and three-year picture, and partnering with an integrator, he transformed his company into a thriving, stable business delivering 34% profit.  In this inspiring conversation, Will explains why profit and cash flow are more than accounting measures, they’re leadership tools. He also shares his top tips: taking regular clarity breaks, applying the systems mindset from Work the System, and remembering that everything you need is already within reach.  Whether you’re a visionary overwhelmed by growth or a leader striving for balance, this episode offers practical insights to help you build a healthier, more profitable business and 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/       ____________________________________________         GUESTS DETAILS: ► Will Watrous - EOS Implementer ► Will Watrous - LinkedIn     Episode 238 Chapters:    00:00  – Introduction01:00 – EOS Journey and Initial Challenges   04:00 – Discovering EOS and Initial Implementation   05:26 – Personal Insights and EOS Tools   06:58 – Value of an EOS Implementer   15:01 – Favourite EOS Tools and Client Success Stories   19:52 – Economic Impact and Financial Education   24:58 – Impact on Team and Business Stability   28:40 – Top Tips for Better Business and Life   34:00 – Final Thoughts and Contact Information 

In this discussion, venture capitalist and bestselling author Ben Wiener shares his insights on startup pitching. He introduces the H.E.A.R.T. framework—Hypothesis, Enormous Stakes, Alternatives, Radically Different, and Team—crucial for compelling presentations. Ben emphasizes the importance of storytelling and empathy in business, advocating for a differentiated approach to attract investment. He reflects on his journey from law to venture capital, underscoring his commitment to supporting diverse founders. It's an enlightening conversation for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills.