Better Business, Better Life

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: [email protected]  ►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

This week on Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by venture capitalist and bestselling author Ben Wiener to unpack the art and challenges of startup pitches. With only two out of ten startups likely to succeed, Ben shares how founders can stand out using his H.E.A.R.T. framework: Hypothesis, Enormous Stakes, Alternatives, Radically Different, and Team. 
From his journey in law and venture capital to writing Fever Pitch, Ben offers practical insights into what investors really want to hear and why storytelling matters as much as strategy. He explains how anticipating questions, neutralising competition early, and presenting a differentiated solution can make all the difference. 
Beyond pitching, Ben emphasises the value of active reading, empathy, and paying it forward - reminding us that business success is often rooted in doing the right thing for others. 
Whether you’re a startup founder, a leader refining your communication, or simply curious about what makes ideas resonate, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable tools. 




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/       ____________________________________________         GUESTS DETAILS: ► Jumpspeed Ventures Website ► Books by Ben Wiener ► Ben Wiener - LinkedIn 




Episode 237 Chapters:   
00:00 – Introduction 00:50 – Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Journey   03:14 – Challenges and Successes in Venture Capital   05:58 – The Concept of “Fever Pitch”   10:48 – The H.E.A.R.T Framework   51:08 – Practical Applications and Benefits of the Framework 52:49 – Ben’s Investment Philosophy and Personal Insights 53:04 – Advice for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

This week on Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor tackles the trap of “smoking hopium”, when leaders rely on misleading metrics that give a false sense of security. From the all-green illusion of vanity measures to the always-red fantasy of unrealistic targets, Debra unpacks why both approaches damage trust, morale, and results. 
Through real-world stories and practical tools, she explains how to replace hopium with clarity: setting outcome-driven measurables, building scorecards that truly predict success, and fostering a culture where honest reds and greens are celebrated. 
Whether you’re a visionary frustrated with slow progress or a leader striving for accountability, this episode will equip you to measure what matters, set achievable goals, and build momentum the right way, one honest metric at a time.  


  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/       




Episode 236 Chapters:   
00:00 – Smoking Hopium: Introduction to Data Scorecards 02:57 – The All-Green Illusion: Measuring the Wrong Things 03:38 – The Always-Red Fantasy: Setting Realistic Targets 05:45 – Replacing Hopium with Clarity: Practical Steps 08:36 – The Importance of Numbers: Clarity, Behaviour, and Action  08:50 – Scorecard Measurables: Sales, Marketing, HR, and Finance27:44 – Building Trust in Numbers: Avoiding Manipulation 28:52 – Fixing a Broken Scorecard: A Seven-Step Reset 29:52 – The Five Leadership Abilities: Simplify, Delegate, Predict, Systemise, and Structure  32:10 – Systemise and Structure: Ensuring Consistency and Accountability 37:05 – Building a Culture of Truth: Celebrating Honest Results   38:22 – Call to Action: Auditing and Improving Scorecards   

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor dives into a challenge many visionaries face, having too many brilliant ideas and not enough follow-through. With energy and insight, she unpacks how constant pivots and unfinished projects can create chaos, overwhelm teams, and stall real progress. 
Debra shares how the right mix of focus, data, and discipline can turn that visionary energy into lasting results. She explores the power of committing to just 3–7 priorities per quarter, using an integrator to filter and execute ideas, and building a scorecard that predicts the health of your business, not just reports on the past. 
Through real-world success stories, including one business that boosted revenue by 20% while reducing workloads, Debra shows how less really can be more. She highlights practical tools like the Eisenhower matrix, clarity breaks, and leading indicators to help visionaries lead with confidence and reduce anxiety. 
If you’ve ever felt like your ideas are running ahead of your team or your sanity, this episode will show you how to channel your creativity, trust your data, and build a business that grows without the chaos. 



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/       
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Episode 235 Chapters:    00:29 – Introduction 00:00 – Visionaries and Their Impact on Businesses   02:04 – The Visionary Trap and Whiplash Culture   03:11 – The Role of Data in Providing Freedom and Clarity   06:49 – Strategies for Managing Visionary Energy   10:39 – Implementing Idea Filters and Delegation   14:25 – Embracing Data and Scorecards for Growth   

In a lighthearted twist, this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life sees host Debra Chantry-Taylor joined by two very special guests, her dogs, Hermes and Apollo. Together, they explore the simple but powerful wisdom we can learn from our furry friends. 
From Hermes’ worries about separation to Apollo’s critique of human judgement, the pups deliver big messages in adorable ways. Through their lens, Debra reflects on timeless truths: the power of living in the moment, showing unconditional love, and letting go of stress. 
The episode is filled with warmth, laughter, and gentle reminders to embrace gratitude, make time for play, and prioritise what really matters, like bottoms, bones, cuddles, and smoochies. 
Whether you're a dog lover or just in need of a reset, this episode will lift your spirits and nudge you towards a more joyful way of being. 


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/       ____________________________________________         CONNECT WITH APOLLO & HERMES:► Apollo Chantry-Taylor - LinkedIn ► Hermes Chantry-Taylor - LinkedIn  
 

Episode 234 Chapters:   
00:00 – Introduction & Lessons from Dogs 00:10 – Be in the Moment 01:00 – Judge Less and Love More 01:31 – Always Be Grateful   01:46 – Play and Relax 02:11 – What’s Really Important

In another episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Lacey Hayes, a seasoned EOS Implementer with a deep background in hospice care and organisational growth. Lacey shares how EOS helped scale a hospice business from $45 million to $78 million, and the lessons that apply to any growth-focused business. 
They explore the tools that made the biggest impact, like the meeting pulse and Level 10 meetings, and how they shifted communication and accountability across a team of over 400 employees. Lacey stresses the importance of anchoring tough conversations in the company’s purpose and vision, using core values as a compass for leadership. 
Together, they talk about how to spot the right people for the right seats, how to keep values alive throughout the organisation, and why external facilitators are crucial in complex settings like family businesses.
Whether you're new to EOS or deep in implementation, you’ll gain actionable ideas to keep your team focused and connected to a larger mission. 




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/       ____________________________________________         GUEST DETAIL: ► EOS Implementer - Lacey Hayes   ► Lacey Hayes - LinkedIn  
  


Episode 233 Chapters:   
00:00 – Introduction  03:04 – Transition to EOS Implementation   05:16 – Impact of EOS Tools and Meetings   08:51 – Structuring the Organisation and Accountability  11:21 – Processes and People in EOS   16:43 – Using EOS Tools for Evaluation and Improvement 24:01 – The Role of Purpose and Vision in EOS   30:43 – Anchoring Hard Conversations in Purpose   33:23 – Engaging the Entire Team in the Vision   36:24 – Final Tips and Recommendations 

This week on Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Adam Harris to give you the inside scoop on the upcoming EOS Conference! With over 220,000 EOS users and 850+ implementers worldwide, this year’s event promises to be the biggest yet.  
Taking place on September 5th at Pullman on the Park in Melbourne, the conference will feature global EOS leaders, including Mark O’Donnell and Don Tinney, plus hands-on workshops and breakout streams tailored for every stage of EOS implementation. Debra also shares details on her session, “Are you self-implementing or self-inflicting EOS?”, while Adam reveals what makes this event an unmissable opportunity for business leaders.  
Plus, Debra and Adam share insider tips on securing discounted tickets and what attendees can expect from this powerful day of learning, networking, and growth. 


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/       ____________________________________________         EOS CONFERENCE DETAILS:► Register Here ► Use DEBVIP or ADAVIP for 50% off tickets! ► Email Debra at [email protected] or Adam at [email protected] for free ticket offers. 

Episode 232 Chapters:   
00:00 – EOS Conference Overview  02:39 – Details of the EOS Conference   04:22 – Breakout Streams and Workshops   05:26 – Event Details and Ticket Information   09:17 – Personal Experiences and Benefits of EOS   09:32 – Annual Planning and Team Building   12:13 – Celebrating Successes and Setting Long-Term Goals   14:24 – Execution and Problem-Solving   16:17 – Final Recap and Encouragement

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by seasoned EOS Implementer and entrepreneur Scott Rusnak to talk about one of the most overlooked skills in business: the power of saying no. 
From launching his own software company to relocating internationally and embracing EOS, Scott shares the lessons he’s learned about boundaries, self-care, and living intentionally. He introduces the concept of Dunbar’s number - a guide for who gets your energy, and explains how clarity breaks, core values, and a bigger sense of purpose can help entrepreneurs avoid burnout and find real fulfilment. 
Whether you're a people pleaser, a business owner on the edge, or just looking to better manage your time and relationships, this episode will give you the tools to pause, prioritise, and protect what matters most.   

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/       ____________________________________________         ORIGINAL EPISODE DETAIL: ► Scott Rusnak's Website   ► Grab a Copy of Scott's Book  ► Scott Rusnak - LinkedIn    

Episode 231 Chapters:   
00:00 – Introduction and Guest Overview   00:15 – Scott’s Career Journey   05:53 – Transition to EOS Implementation   08:26 – The Importance of Saying No   17:18 – Practical Tips for Saying No   18:22 – Balancing Personal and Professional Life   18:40 – The Role of Core Values and Purpose   38:40 – Cultural Shifts and Personal Growth   40:06 – Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this special episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor shares her recent guest appearance on Notes From the Executive with host Mina Amso. Together, they unpack the power of EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System) and how it helps business leaders simplify operations, gain clarity, and scale with confidence. 
Debra shares her own experiences - both wins and setbacks- while exploring what makes a truly effective meeting, why entrepreneurs often feel stuck, and how systems can create freedom rather than restrict it. You’ll hear real-world examples of the challenges business owners face and how the EOS framework brings structure, accountability, and balance. 
Tune in to how EOS can help you build a business that truly works for your life, not the other way around. 



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/       
____________________________________________         ORIGINAL EPISODE DETAIL: ► Notes From The Executive Podcast - Debra's Episode    ► Mina Amso - LinkedIn  


Episode 230 Chapters:   
00:00 – Introduction  00:50 – The Concept of a Perfect Meeting   02:35 – Target Audience and Common Business Challenges   03:07 – Emotional Moments in Boardrooms   05:05 – Entrepreneurs Feeling Stuck   05:42 – Lack of Vision and Freedom in Business   07:19 – The Role of Systems and Structure   08:46 – Turning Points for Businesses Close to Collapse   11:21 – Framework for Business Clarity   14:47 – People and Data in Business Operations   25:04 – Identifying and Solving Business Issues   30:10 – Processes and Systems in Business   36:53 – Personal Experiences and Lessons Learnt   41:22 – Impact of Personal Losses on Business Philosophy   48:48 – Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by EOS implementer Matt Hansen, a former aerospace engineer turned business coach. Matt shares how EOS tools like the Level 10 Meeting, quarterly conversations, and clarity breaks transformed his journey from baling hay to leading a $10 million advanced manufacturing business. 
They explore why healthy teams, clear roles, and regular time for reflection are essential for scaling with intention. Plus, Matt unpacks insights from The Culture Map and explains why he loves working with bold builders and makers in construction and manufacturing. 
If you're in construction, manufacturing, or simply want to grow your business without losing your balance, this episode offers real strategies with real results.  


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/       ____________________________________________         GUEST’S DETAIL: ► Matt Hansen - EOS Worldwide    ► Matt Hansen - LinkedIn 



Episode 229 Chapters:   
00:24 – Introduction and Guest Overview   04:32 – Transition to EOS Implementation   07:12 – EOS Implementation Journey   09:45 – Favourite EOS Tools   12:12 – Client Success Stories   23:46 – Cultural Insights and Final Tips   30:19 – Personal Preferences and Conclusion