Better Business, Better Life

Sam Stubbs is the founder of the nonprofit KiwiSaver fund Simplicity. A reformed investment banker and stockbroker his career also spans politics, philosophy and technology. His mission is to make the finance industry a force for good as a source of profit which he thinks can be achieved by companies embracing long-term thinking, sustainability and full diversity.

He set up Simplicity with the aim to disrupt the KiwiSaver model, in the midst of a midlife crisis. It was never about the money for him but the money he can create for other people!

What is Simplicity and what is its mission and vision?‘

We're a nonprofit fund manager. If you're overseas you might have heard of Vanguard… the vanguard of New Zealand… wouldn't be too far wrong. Our main aim is to give people dignity in retirement and how we do that is we give them choices. People who have choices in life have dignity.

We run as a nonprofit fund manager, which charges the lowest fees and making people richer. Simplicity is a charity, a social enterprise, a nonprofit, a whole lot of things! We give 15% of the fees we do earn to charity.

We've been running for almost five years now and we manage about $3 billion on behalf of over 60,000 members, in total we're giving away about $100,000 a month to charity, and making extremely good returns.’

In this podcast, Sam talks about the journey from Westie to Corporate & back to fighting for the people.

Simplicity was an idea developed by four guys at a pub with a piece of paper. Sam shares how he got the right people into the business & some of the challenges along the way.

Why the title of the Podcast? Sam shares that he didn't start Kiwisver to make money - rather help other people have dignity in retirement, however, he also shares how cash flow really is king in building a business & how you should treat every last dollar as if it were your own.

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor and Adam Harris dive into what it really takes to get a business unstuck and moving forward again with EOS.

They explore the hidden forces that cause businesses to stall, particularly fear and complacency. Fear often shows up as indecision or hesitation, while complacency creeps in when things are going well and leaders stop pushing for growth. Together, these can quietly bring momentum to a halt.

A key theme in the conversation is how founders themselves can become the bottleneck. Without self-awareness and clear accountability, visionaries can drift back into day-to-day operations, slowing the business instead of leading it. Adam highlights the importance of rediscovering your “mojo” and finding where you truly add value as a leader.

Debra and Adam emphasise that getting a business unstuck is less about strategy and more about execution. That means having a clear vision, strong accountability structures, and consistent communication rhythms. Tools like the accountability chart and regular leadership meetings ensure alignment and keep everyone moving in the same direction.

They also discuss the powerful role of external facilitators, who bring objectivity, challenge thinking, and hold founders accountable in ways internal teams often cannot.

If your business feels stuck or slow, this episode offers practical insights to help you regain clarity, rebuild momentum, and lead with confidence.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:    
___________________________________________         
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: [email protected]  
►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 267 Chapters:   
 
00:00 – Introduction

00:36 – Why Businesses Get Stuck and How Founders Can Address It  
25:33 – Common Reasons Businesses Get Stuck  
28:49 – Founders Becoming Bottlenecks  
29:06 – The Role of Accountability and Vision  
29:39 – The Importance of Clarity and Execution  
33:05 – Misalignment Among Leadership Teams  
41:42 – Founders as Bottlenecks  
46:39 – The Role of External Facilitators  
47:15 – The Importance of Regular Communication  
47:35 – Final Thoughts and Next Steps

In this podcast episode of Better Business, Better Life, Daniel Davis shares some tips on what the EOS life really is & how you can live the EOS life as an Entrepreneur or Business Owner.

Daniel has a 20+ year history of building companies, and his obsession is helping entrepreneurial organisations to clarify, simplify and achieve their vision. He has been a founder, owner and leader in six successful companies in varying industries, and is now responsible for bringing the tools of EOS®, The Entrepreneurial Operating System®, into Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region.

In this podcast, Daniel talks about:

His love for fast cars, what he learned as life as an IGA owner in the Blue Mountains, how he discovered EOS & his 'twin' Gino Wickman, how he uses EOS in his personal life, how something can be simple but not easy!

Daniel's passion to help others is evident in this podcast - you don't want to miss this episode!

Daniel's EOS Life:

When I read the book Traction by Gino Wickman, I loved it so much that I made it my mission to bring EOS® to Australia.

EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System®, is widely used in the USA and Europe by tens of thousands of companies, and we want to see as many companies as possible enjoying the benefit of the EOS tools across Australia and beyond.

Since 2017 the team at EOS Worldwide has entrusted me with the honour of representing and expanding the EOS brand here in Australia and New Zealand, and the wider Asia Pacific Region, where we are building a thriving community of entrepreneurs who are running their businesses using the EOS Process, Model, and Tools. As the regional Community Leader, I train and prepare EOS Implementers for a successful journey to EOS Mastery.

At EOS Worldwide, we are devoted to finding, training and supporting like-minded entrepreneurs who want to become master EOS Implementers and live the "EOS Life":

• Doing what you love to do
• Growing with people you enjoy
• Making a significant difference
• Being compensated appropriately
• With time to pursue other passions

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by EOS expert and Rocket Fuel co-author Mark C. Winters to explore the power of the visionary integrator relationship and why it is critical for entrepreneurial success.

Mark shares his journey from corporate life to building and advising over 15 businesses, and how discovering EOS transformed the way he understood leadership, growth, and team dynamics. At the heart of the conversation is the visionary integrator partnership, a relationship that, when done well, creates clarity, momentum, and sustainable growth.

They unpack the common traps entrepreneurs fall into, including the “entrepreneurial seizure” and the “success trap,” where business growth comes at the expense of personal fulfilment. Mark explains how visionaries must reconnect with their intrinsic genius rather than feeling “put out to pasture” once the business stabilises.

The episode also dives into practical tools and frameworks, including the 10 pillars of greatness for visionaries and the Rocket Fuel Power Index, which helps assess and strengthen the health of the visionary integrator relationship. Mark emphasises the importance of self-awareness, role clarity, and healthy friction between visionary and integrator as the engine that drives real progress.

If you are a visionary struggling to let go, or an integrator trying to create alignment and traction, this episode offers powerful insights to help you build a stronger partnership and a better business.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:   

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠[email protected] ⁠

►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:

► Mark C. Waters – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcwinters

► Website – Mark C. Winters: https://www.markcwinters.com/

Episode 266 Chapters:  

00:00 – Introduction

00:40 – Entrepreneurial Traps and Introspective Work

02:35 – Mark C Winters’ Journey and EOS Involvement

05:02 – The Concept of Visionary and Integrator

07:01 – The Visionary’s Role and the “Put Out to Pasture” Feeling

10:24 – The 10 Pillars of Greatness for Visionaries

12:38 – The Importance of Understanding the Business and Role Clarity

23:46 – The Role of Integrators and the Importance of Healthy Friction

31:26 – The Visionary’s Personal Operating System and Domains of Freedom

37:51 – The Entrepreneurial Seizure and Success Trap

40:22 – Supporting Integrators and the Rocket Fuel Power Index

45:27 – Final Tips and Tools for Visionaries

In this podcast episode of Better Business, Better Life, Renee Russo talks about how she worked with her husband to turn around the business, finding her superpowers & the power of focus, discipline & believing.Renee Russo is a highly respected entrepreneurial business coach dedicated to helping people get more out of their businesses. Effective in teaching leadership teams a proven methodology and tools that empower them to get Vision, Traction, Healthy.She prides herself on creating ripples & positive change! She discovered EOS whilst helping her husband run his business. Since then she has become a Certified EOS Implementer & now also coaches other EOS Implementers.

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Erik Dodier to explore the power of the Visionary/Integrator relationship and how it can completely transform a business. Erik shares his journey from growing Pixel Media from zero to $15 million without EOS to an impressive $75 million after implementing it. The turning point? Fully embracing EOS, particularly the visionary-integrator dynamic, which brought clarity to roles, improved decision-making, and reduced the chaos that often comes with rapid growth. He dives into how separating visionary and integrator responsibilities allowed both leaders to play to their strengths, creating a more aligned and accountable leadership team. Erik also highlights the impact of key EOS tools such as the accountability chart, quarterly rocks, and Level 10 meetings, along with the use of platforms like Ninety.io to keep the business focused and connected. The conversation also covers how EOS helped the company navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19, maintain strong communication, and continue scaling through strategic acquisitions. Erik reflects on lessons learned, including the importance of fully committing to EOS rather than partially implementing it. Now an EOS implementer himself, Erik works with businesses of 10 to 500 employees, helping them achieve the same clarity, structure, and growth he experienced. If you're looking to scale your business without losing control, this episode offers practical insights into building a strong leadership partnership and leveraging EOS for long-term success. CONNECT WITH DEBRA:    ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: ⁠[email protected] ⁠ ►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: ► Erik Dodier – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikdodier/ ► Website – EOS Worldwide: https://eosworldwide.com Episode 265 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction 00:36 – Introduction to Visionary Integrator and EOS 05:30 – Erik’s Journey with EOS 05:44 – Challenges and Benefits of the Visionary Integrator Concept 09:06 – Implementation of EOS Tools and Software 09:31 – Impact of EOS on Business Growth and Structure 09:41 – Erik’s Transition to EOS Implementer 09:58 – Challenges and Mistakes in Implementing EOS 26:44 – Impact of EOS on Business Communication and Accountability 36:31 – Erik’s Experience with Clients and EOS Implementation 41:17 – Final Thoughts and Advice for Business Owners

In this episode I am talking to Suzi McAlpine on the launch of her new book - "Beyond Burnout - a New Zealand Guide. How to spot it, stop it and stamp it out."  

A leadership coach, award-winning blogger and keynote speaker, Suzi works alongside CEOs, managers and executives to facilitate clarity, direction and optimal performance in the areas people need it most.  

Suzi McAlpine is a Leadership Development Specialist and author of award-winning leadership blog, The Leader’s Digest. She writes and teaches about accomplished leadership, what magic emerges when it’s present, and how to ignite better leadership in individuals, teams and organisations.  

Suzi has been a leader and senior executive herself, working alongside CEOs and executive teams in many guises. Her experience has included being a head-hunter and executive coach, and a practice leader for a division at the world’s largest HR consulting firm.  

Suzi provides a range of services as a Leadership Development Specialist, including executive coaching, leadership workshops and leadership development programmes for CEOs, leadership teams and organisations throughout New Zealand. She has worked with IAG, Weta Workshop, The Department of Conservation, Contact Energy, Merchant (Overland) Footwear, BDO Accounting, and Nelson Airport to name a few.  

In 2012, Suzi started The Leader’s Digest, now an internationally acclaimed blog, which provides tips and insights to CEOs and executives around the globe. The blog has been named in CMOE’s Top 100 Socially-Shared Leadership Blogs, Serve To Lead’s Best 21st Century Leadership Blogs, Charles Specht’s Top 50 Global Leadership Bloggers, Hubworks Global Top 25 Leadership and Management Blogs and MP Star Financials’ global Top 25 Leadership Blogs for Small Business.  

In 2018, she launched an online leadership programme for emerging leaders, The Leader’s Map. The programme fills a void in the leadership arena, teaching leadership skills and providing support to people who are thrust into roles in which they must lead. The programme gives emerging leaders the necessary tools to succeed in their role.  

Suzi has used her expertise in the leadership space to write a book on burnout and how leaders can create environments in which people, as well as profits, thrive.  

In this podcast, she shares some insights, actionable tools & practical tips for Leaders & businesses of all sizes.  

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with AI expert and CEO of Bizzuka, John Munsell, to explore how businesses can move beyond basic AI usage and into true capability and scale. John shares his journey from financial services to becoming a leader in AI strategy, and introduces powerful tools such as the AI strategy canvas and scalable prompt engineering. These frameworks help businesses integrate AI into their operations in a structured, repeatable way rather than relying on ad hoc experimentation. Through real-world examples, including a case where AI reduced a three-week project to just three days and saved $70,000, John demonstrates the tangible impact of doing AI properly. He explains why using multiple AI models, structuring prompts effectively, and building knowledge-based documents are critical for achieving consistent, high-quality results. The conversation also tackles common barriers to AI adoption, including fear, lack of training, and unclear use cases. John outlines how organisations can elevate their teams by moving up the levels of AI mastery and embedding AI into everyday workflows across marketing, HR, finance, and operations. If you want to turn AI from a novelty into a true business advantage, this episode offers practical insights, frameworks, and next steps to help you scale smarter and faster. CONNECT WITH DEBRA:    ___________________________________________         ►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner ►Connect with Debra: ⁠[email protected] ⁠ ►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 264 Chapters:   00:00 – Introduction 00:35 – Background of John Munsell 02:56 – John’s Journey into AI and Business Applications 06:23 – John’s Book and Certified Implementer Programme 13:23 – AI Adoption and Business Efficiency 20:15 – AI in Different Business Functions 28:58 – AI Tools and Best Practices 47:36 – AI in Meetings and Note-Taking 50:06 – John’s Tips for AI Implementation 50:21 – Conclusion and Future Plans

Steve started his career designing multi-million dollar racing yachts, and building and coaching high performing teams to help his clients win the world's most demanding races. 

He has run and grown a small business, and then transitioned his career to become a certified PMP program manager managing million dollar budgets and helping the US Navy launch ships into the fleet. 

Six years ago he started his own business, Catylator, with the mission and passion to help business owners build better lives through building better businesses, getting unstuck, fueling growth, achieving more profit and having more fun with their crew. 

He is a Professional EOS Implementer, is certified in the LEGO Serious Play method, and teaches, facilitates and coaches individuals, leaders, and business leadership teams on their voyage to success. 

He can be reached at [email protected], or through his website at https://www.catylator.com.

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor explores why scaling a business is rarely a strategy problem. Instead, it is often a leadership evolution challenge. 

Debra explains that as businesses grow, the leadership team must grow with them. Behaviours that worked in a smaller business can quickly become bottlenecks in a larger one. Without clear decision rights, role clarity, and true accountability, leadership teams struggle to scale effectively.

She discusses the common challenge where visionaries struggle to let go, unintentionally blocking their integrator and leadership team from stepping up. Debra highlights the importance of productive tension in leadership meetings, clear accountability charts, and decision-making authority that moves down as the business grows. 

The episode also explores the unique challenges faced by family-owned businesses, where family, ownership, and management roles can easily overlap and create emotional friction. Debra explains why separating these roles and clarifying decision rights is essential for healthy leadership dynamics and sustainable growth. 

If your business has hit a ceiling, this episode offers practical insights on how evolving leadership behaviours, improving accountability, and embracing healthy tension can unlock the next stage of scale and create a better business and a better life. 

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:    
___________________________________________         
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner 

►Connect with Debra: [email protected]  
►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/ 
►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/ 

Episode 263 Chapters:   

00:00 – Introduction 
00:36 – Scaling Requires Clear Decision Rights and Leadership Evolution  
02:19 – Growth Reveals Leadership Problems  
03:46 – Role Clarity and Decision-Making  
06:10 – Accountability and Leadership Evolution  
07:25 – Scaling as a Leadership Upgrade  
08:01 – Early Signs of Leadership Team Outgrowing Current Operations  
09:08 – Distinguishing Growth Problems from Leadership Behaviour Issues  
09:22 – Role Clarity Problems in Businesses Hitting a Ceiling  
10:19 – Founder or Long-Tenure Behaviour Blocking Scale  
11:17 – Healthy Tension in Leadership Meetings  
12:16 – Confusing Busyness with Effectiveness  
13:06 – True Accountability for Growth  
14:25 – Leadership Dynamics in Family-Owned Businesses  
15:56 – Avoided Conversations in Leadership  
16:55 – Unlocking Scale with Open Conversations