Podcast
Better Business, Better Life
Hosted by Debra Chantry Taylor · EN
You've heard the saying happy wife, happy life. This not only applies to marriage but also to business leaders.
We go into business looking for more freedom, money and happiness. But before too long you find yourself working long hours, stressed, overwhelmed and feeling like your business has a grip on you.
From the outside things look good - you've got the car, house, wife, kids, bach and toys but how often do you get freedom to do what you truly love? And is your wife loving you or leaving you?
Learn from those who have built a life they truly love, through building a better business.
We go into business looking for more freedom, money and happiness. But before too long you find yourself working long hours, stressed, overwhelmed and feeling like your business has a grip on you.
From the outside things look good - you've got the car, house, wife, kids, bach and toys but how often do you get freedom to do what you truly love? And is your wife loving you or leaving you?
Learn from those who have built a life they truly love, through building a better business.
51episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Brendan Lee: The Marketing Mistake Costing You Customers Every Day
2w ago00:44:55Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Don’t Just Be a Hamster On The Wheel with Ryan Goodwin
2w ago00:44:08Tap to summarizeRyan 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.
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Debra Chantry-Taylor & Adam Harris: The Hidden Reason Visionaries Become Bottlenecks
3w ago00:57:08Tap to summarizeIn 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
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Keep it Simple with Shelley Woodrow
3w ago00:31:55Tap to summarizeShelley 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!
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John Munsell: How EOS and AI Can Give Your Team 10 Hours Back Every Week
4w ago00:49:37Tap to summarizeIn 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.comEpisode 275 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction00:40 – Impact of AI on Businesses04:23 – Levels of AI Mastery12:54 – AI in Business Operations17:50 – Common Mistakes in AI Implementation26:11 – AI Governance and Security34:41 – Tools and Resources for AI Implementation35:00 – Practical Tips for AI Adoption35:16 – Community and Support for AI Implementation37:17 – Final Thoughts and Next Steps
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Do You Have Time to Do What You Love with Danny Mishek
4w ago00:31:05Tap to summarizeDanny 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!
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Rajesh Nagjee: The CEO You Become Determines the Business You Build
Jun 100:37:31Tap to summarizeIn 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 – Introduction00:37 – Purpose of the Podcast02:47 – Rajesh Najee’s Background and Early Career06:05 – Lessons from Running a Hospital14:31 – The Inner Game of Business18:07 – Case Study: American Express Saudi Arabia23:13 – Identifying Stuck Founders25:27 – The CEO Freedom Operating System28:05 – Advice for Founders and CEOs28:50 – Conclusion and Contact Information
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How to Get Up the Pointy End with Greg Lipschitz
May 3000:31:10Tap to summarizeGreg 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!
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Adam Harris: AI & Its Implications For Companies Running In EOS
May 2500:52:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor and Adam Harris explore AI & its implication for businesses, leadership teams, and the future of EOS. The conversation dives into how AI is rapidly moving from being a “future issue” to something businesses must actively integrate into their daily operations. Debra and Adam discuss the growing role AI can play in productivity, accountability, communication, and leadership support, while also acknowledging the risks and limitations that come with it. Debra shares her personal experiences using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, explaining how AI can dramatically improve efficiency when used properly. At the same time, she highlights the importance of human oversight, noting that AI still lacks the empathy, emotional intelligence, and human connection required for many leadership and people-focused roles. Throughout the episode, Debra and Adam explore whether AI could ever replace EOS implementers, leadership teams, or integrators. While they believe AI will continue transforming workflows and automating repetitive tasks, they argue that trust, empathy, coaching, and difficult conversations still require human interaction. The discussion also touches on the fears many employees and leaders have around AI replacing jobs. Debra emphasizes that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment people, not remove them, freeing teams from repetitive work so they can focus on higher-value thinking, creativity, and leadership. Adam and Debra also discuss the importance of businesses integrating AI intentionally, rather than simply chasing trends. They highlight the need for training, communication, experimentation, and involving the whole organization in the AI journey to avoid resistance and confusion. This episode is a thought-provoking conversation about the future of work, leadership, and EOS, and how businesses can thoughtfully integrate AI in a way that improves efficiency while still protecting the human connection that great businesses are built on. 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: ► Adam Harris – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adam-harris-eos/ ► Website – EOS Worldwide: https://www.eosworldwide.com/adam-harris Episode 273 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to AI and EOS Implementation 03:49 – Debra’s AI Tools and Initial Insights 08:10 – Human Connection and AI’s Limitations 09:24 – AI’s Role in EOS Implementation 22:00 – Challenges and Opportunities with AI 31:26 – AI’s Impact on Business Culture and People 34:57 – Future of AI in Business 39:58 – Conclusion and Next Steps
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If It’s Not Working In the Bedroom… with Adam Harris
May 2300:34:28Tap to summarizeAdam Harris is Frank and Fearless. As a leadership coach, consultant and facilitator, he applies this approach in all areas of his professional and personal life.In this episode, he discusses why so many great companies miss out on their potential and shares the important questions all business owners must ask themselves. He stresses the importance of having difficult conversations - avoiding them is a disservice to everyone involved. Despite the discomfort, disagreement and uncertainty then creates opportunity.His mission is to create the space to have the right conversations, at the right time, with the right people. Having worked with 25 businesses to implement EOS, he also tells us his favourite EOS tools and how they’ve transformed his clients.Find out how leaning into being frank and fearless has taken him to incredible and challenging new heights, both figuratively and literally!
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