Podcasts about better business

For decades, large corporations have privatized their massive profits while quietly shifting environmental, social, and health costs onto the public. Unpacking these systemic costs is central to the discussion in The Profiteers, which diagnoses how business practices impact society at large. In this episode, host Corinna Bellizzi speaks with Christopher Marquis, Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and author of Better Business, to analyze the hidden mechanics of corporate externalities. From plastics lobbying and regulatory co-optation to visionary models of regenerative agriculture and foundation ownership, they explore why exposing systemic corporate abuse is the first crucial step toward real reform. Discover how innovative enterprise models, policy levers, and conscious consumer choices can help build a truly sustainable and regenerative economy. About Guest: Professor Marquis' research and teaching focus on how some of the biggest crises of our day – including climate change, inequality, and discrimination – are intimately connected to how our current economic and societal systems prioritize accumulating and concentrating wealth for the few over the concerns and needs of everyone and everything else. His research and writing focus on the need to rebalance the interactions between corporations, governments, and civil society to deliver socially and environmentally beneficial outcomes to all. Marquis is the author of The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socialize Costs. His earlier books include the award-winning Better Business: How the B Corp Movement is Remaking Capitalism and Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise, which was a Financial Times Best Book of 2022. He has also authored more than 20 peer-reviewed academic articles and more than 50 Harvard business cases on topics related to social innovation, sustainable business and doing business in China. Professor Marquis served 2 terms as an Associate Editor at Administrative Science Quarterly and has also been a Senior Editor at Organization Science and Management and Organization Review. He has also served a term as Representative at Large for the International Association for Chinese Management Research (IACMR) and Organization and Management Theory Division, Academy of Management. Before returning to academia, Marquis was a Vice President and Technology Manager at JP Morgan Chase. He currently is on the sustainability advisory board of the French multinational Sanofi Consumer Healthcare. Guest Website & Socials: https://chrismarquis.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-marquis-3884834/ https://x.com/Chris_Marquis_ https://substack.com/@chrismarquis Resources Mentioned: BOOK: The Profiteers https://amzn.to/4zbwM66 BOOK: Better Business https://amzn.to/4crRPHF Key Topics Discussed (with time stamps): 01:32 Who Really Pays For Corporate Externalities? 07:22 The Plastic Dilemma: Rethinking Packaging In Sustainable Business 11:57 Privatizing Profits & Socializing Costs: Unpacking Corporate Externalities 20:37 Lessons From GE: How Shareholder Primacy Distorts Business Ethics 30:17 Big Tech And Algorithms: Profit Growth Vs. Corporate Accountability 36:30 Unpacking The Policy Debate: Plastic Lobbying & Chemical Recycling 44:19 Rethinking Lifecycles: Circularity And Extended Consumer Responsibility 51:58 Regenerative Agriculture: How Purpose-Driven Brands Restore Soil & Systems 01:00:02 Building A Regenerative Economy: Purpose-Driven Governance & Ownership 01:07:15 Conclusion & Takeaways: Empowering Individual Action and Policy Reform CONNECT & SUPPORT CARE MORE BE BETTERSubstack: https://caremorebebetter.substack.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetterTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caremorebebetterInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetterLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-betterCAUSE PARTNER: If you value open dialogue, sustainability, and social equity, I invite you to support our new cause partner —Prescott College. To learn more about this effort and to support the show, visit: https://caremorebebetter.com/support/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you are ready to level up personally and professionally, go to joinrbo.comThe people you surround yourself with can either accelerate your growth or hold your business hostage.In this solo episode, Rick Trimmer breaks down one of the biggest challenges business owners face: building the right team. He explains why keeping the wrong people can cost you far more than money, how to identify the right employees, and why sometimes the best decision you can make is moving someone into a different seat—or helping them find a different bus entirely.Rick also shares how he has built teams capable of operating without him, why giving employees a path toward ownership can help you retain your best people, and why building a great team requires thinking far beyond the next 90 days.In This Episode You'll Learn:Why keeping the wrong employee can be more expensive than replacing them.How to qualify potential employees faster and identify the right people.The difference between having the right person and having them in the right seat.Why great employees need opportunities to grow.How to identify the people who belong on your personal bus.Why your team should be built around where you want to be 10 years from now.The four questions every business owner should ask about their team.How ownership can help you attract and retain high-level employees.Why building your team is an ongoing process, not a one-time decision.When it's time to make difficult changes to protect the future of your business.Your business is only as strong as the people helping you move it forward. Get the right people on the bus, put them in the right seats, and stop being afraid to make changes when something isn't working.

“If everyone on my team cared about this business as much as I do, we would be unstoppable.” If you've ever had that thought, you are not alone. But here's the leadership shift that changes everything: Your team doesn't need to care about the business the way you do; they need to understand how their work creates value. If your team members have never been shown what success really looks like, how their role impacts profitability, how to solve problems rather than waiting for direction, and why their contribution matters—they will remain task-focused instead of becoming the business builders you want (and need) them to be. In this episode, Kaitlyn and Melissa discuss why ownership isn't a personality trait but a leadership skill to be developed. When your team understands the impact they have on the business, everything changes. They will stop simply completing tasks and will start improving the business. Join us to discover how to help your team think like leaders without expecting them to think like owners.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:Powerful questions to ask so your team members understand their rolesIf you don't have clarity, your team will not have clarity.Every team member has their own $10,000 an hour activities.Understanding ownership is the key. (It's a skill to be developed.)Your business impact > job descriptionsThe benefits of extended owner vacations for your team: opportunities for growth, trust, and alignmentYour immutable laws are the key to attracting the right team members AND the right clients and customers.Leadership Bootcamp: an amazing opportunity for your A-playersIf you want your team to understand their impact and how their work creates value, book a call with us today!Resources:If today's conversation made you realize your business depends too much on you, take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment. In about 10 minutes, you'll discover the biggest constraint keeping your business from supporting your life.

What if payroll wasn't your biggest expense, but your biggest profit driver? The most profitable business owners don't focus on keeping payroll costs under control, but they help every person on their team create more value. The difference in perspective about payroll is everything. If your team members don't know what success looks like and how they create value, solve problems, and make decisions, they become very expensive task-doers. If you develop leaders instead of simply managing employees, your team begins to solve problems before they reach you, improve the customer experience, eliminate costly mistakes, increase efficiency, and create more profit without adding more work to your plate. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Kaitlyn Beaver are sharing why the most profitable businesses have a leadership development strategy that dissolves payroll problems. Join us now to learn how your team can make your business stronger every single day.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:Supporting your team and driving profit for your businessYour team members' time is worth $10,000 an hour, too! (Do they know your vision, mission, and purpose?)Find where profit is leaking with your team and turn it into growth and opportunities.A personal example from Kaitlyn's career when she was looking for a chance to growCreating roles based on what your business needsTurning payroll into your profit driver requires alignment among your vision/mission/values, team members' roles, their key results, and KPIs.Helping your team members shine as they achieve (and exceed!) their key resultsIf you want to turn your payroll into your biggest profit driver, book a call with us today!Resources:If today's conversation made you realize your business may be relying too heavily on you, take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment. In about 10 minutes, you'll discover the biggest constraint holding your business back and learn where to focus next.

What happens when business owners stop accepting scattered systems, manual follow-ups, and time-consuming workflows as "just part of running a business"? In this episode of Staging Sips, Lori sits down with Harlowe founding members Kishah Langham and Erin Galvin to talk candidly about the frustrations that led them to search for a better way to run their staging businesses. Kishah brings 15 years of business experience in Houston, Texas, while Erin is approaching her first anniversary as a staging business owner in Colorado. Although they entered Harlowe at very different stages of business, they shared the same goal: creating systems that would make their work simpler, faster, and easier to grow. They share how bringing scheduling, proposals, agreements, payments, client communication, renewals, reporting, and business insights into one place has changed their day-to-day operations. Erin explains how she reduced the time required to complete a consultation report and can now send a professional proposal in about five minutes, even from the pool with her children. Kishah shares how Harlowe helped streamline her staging services and educational events while eliminating the need to chase registrations and payments across multiple platforms. You'll also hear how their real-world feedback helped shape Harlowe. Kishah's staging school inspired Harlowe's event functionality, while Erin's workflow inspired new ways to use project images within proposals. Their experiences reveal what it truly looks like to help build a platform while actively using it to run a business. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Kishah wanted reliable systems in place before expanding her team Why Erin prioritized systems during her first year in business How combining disconnected business tools creates a simpler daily workflow How automated scheduling allows clients and agents to book and pay without back-and-forth communication How Erin reduced the time required to produce her consultation reports How reusable proposal templates can turn a lengthy process into a five-minute task How a streamlined proposal, agreement, and payment experience can help clients move forward faster Why Harlowe founding members averaged just seven minutes between opening a proposal and completing payment How Kishah uses Harlowe's Lookbook to show her work directly inside her proposals How Harlowe helped Kishah streamline registration and payment for her staging school and events How automated renewal reminders and payments reduce missed deadlines and manual follow-up How business analytics can provide clearer revenue forecasts, goals, and pricing insights How gaining time back has helped Erin focus on marketing, networking, and her family How gaining time back has helped Kishah grow her staging school and support the Black staging community How Kishah and Erin's feedback directly influenced features within Harlowe What it was really like to test Harlowe during its earliest stages Kishah and Erin also share the human side of adopting a new system: finding bugs, suggesting improvements, trusting the process, and watching their ideas become features that can serve staging businesses throughout the industry. Their stories show what becomes possible when technology fits the way you actually work. Fewer disconnected tools. Faster proposals. Smoother payments. Clearer business information. More time to grow your company and live your life.   LEARN MORE ABOUT STAGING BUSINESS SCHOOL HERE! WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE: Why Kishah and Erin prioritized better systems at two very different stages of business How bringing scheduling, proposals, agreements, and payments into one place simplified their workflows How reusable templates helped turn proposal creation into a five-minute task How automation created a faster, easier experience for their clients while reducing manual follow-up How Harlowe gave Kishah and Erin more time for business growth, passion projects, and family How their real-world feedback and beta-testing experiences helped shape Harlowe's features LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE: RESOURCES: Connect With Our Guests Kishah Langham Texas Stagers https://www.stagingtexas.net/about-us www.instagram.com/texas_stagers Erin Galvin Finishing Touch Interiors https://www.finishingtouchinteriorsco.com/about www.instagram.com/finishingtouchinteriorsco Join the Harlowe Inner Circle Waitlist: https://waitlist.harloweco.com Apply for Private Coaching: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/privatecoachingapp Enroll in Staging Business School Accelerate Track: www.rethinkhomeinteriors.com/accelerate Follow the Staging Business School on Instagram: www.instagram.com/stagingbusinessschool Follow Harlowe on Instagram: www.instagram.com/meetharlowe Follow Lori on Instagram: www.instagram.com/rethinkhome If you want to learn how to streamline your operations so you can grow with less stress and burnout in your staging business, enrollment is open for Staging Business School Accelerate Track. I'd love to see you in the classroom! ENJOY THE SHOW? Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts so that more Staging CEO's find it. Also, include links to your socials so that more Staging CEOs can find you. Follow over on Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Audible.  

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Dr Michael Filosi, former owner of Fullarton Park Dental, to explore his remarkable journey from doing everything to almost nothing in the business he built.Michael began his career as a dentist after graduating from Adelaide University in 2006. For years, he was deeply involved in the clinical side of the practice, personally generating around 40% of its revenue. But as his interest in business, strategy & leadership grew, he began asking an important question: how could he build a successful business that no longer depended on him?That question led Michael on an intensive journey of business education. He read around 100 business books in three years, including Traction by Gino Wickman, & began applying what he learned to his practice. Over time, he reduced his clinical contribution from 40% of revenue to just 0.6%, creating a business that could operate successfully without relying on any single person.Michael shares how clear expectations, strong recruitment, accountability & the right Visionary/Integrator relationship helped him build a more scalable & dependable organisation. With a strong leadership team around him, he was able to move away from doing everything himself & focus instead on vision, growth & the bigger picture.Debra & Michael also explore some of the harder realities of business ownership, including dealing with underperforming team members, maintaining high standards, learning from mistakes & creating a culture where people feel comfortable giving honest feedback. Michael explains why reducing key-person dependency is one of the most important things any owner can do to protect the long-term value of their business.The conversation also dives into financial resilience. Michael shares why business owners need to prepare for difficult periods while things are going well, from maintaining a rainy-day fund to understanding cash flow & making thoughtful long-term investments. Having experienced economic uncertainty firsthand, he explains why planning for the unexpected is essential for both financial security & peace of mind.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:► Dr. Michael Filosi – LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/michaelfilosi► Website – Fullarton Park Dental : https://www.fullartondental.com.au/Ep 284 Chapters:00:00 – Introduction03:29 – The Importance of Business Education and Planning06:57 – Building a Scalable and Dependable Business08:06 – Challenges and Lessons in Business Ownership08:37 – The Role of Leadership and Team Dynamics08:49 – The Impact of Business Ownership on Personal Life09:32 – The Journey to Success and the Importance of Resilience11:32 – Preparing for the Worst54:38 – Top Tips for Business Success

The hiring mistakes we see every single week have nothing to do with finding “good people.” We've noticed the same patterns over and over again: hiring too fast because you're overwhelmed, settling because you need a body in a position, writing job ads that attract the wrong candidates, and expecting new hires to “figure it out.” Is it any wonder why your turnover rate is high? The truth is that hiring challenges are rarely just hiring challenges. They are often leadership challenges. In this episode of the Profit by Design podcast, Kaitlyn and Melissa pull back the curtain on the conversations we're having with business owners every week. We share the most common hiring mistakes we see, why they happen, and what the best business owners do differently to build an A-player team. If you're frustrated with hiring and wonder why your team isn't performing the way you'd hoped, this conversation is for you!Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:Our How to Hire the Best program helps you stand out as an employer of choice.Avoid costly hiring mistakes.Melissa's perspective on hiring with intention (“What does my company need right now?”)Writing job descriptions vs. job advertisementsHiring for skills vs. hiring for characterYour business culture should be obvious to anyone who applies for a job!Understanding how to implement an A-player development plan with one-to-one check-ins on their goals, successes, and trajectoryCommon mistakes by business owners: not blocking off time to welcome a new team member, not having human connection as part of your onboarding process, and not building a culture of community on your teamA magic question to ask any team member: “How might I support you?”If you are up against hiring challenges, book a call with us today!Resources:And if today's conversation has you thinking, "I can totally relate to this," don't stop there.Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment to discover the biggest constraint keeping your business from supporting your life. In about 10 minutes, you'll have a clearer picture of where to focus next.

Have you ever wondered why some stories feel effortless to tell while others never seem to land? In this episode, I'm sitting down with Breanna Owen to explore how Human Design can completely change the way we approach storytelling in our businesses.Instead of trying to tell every story or following someone else's content formula, we're diving into how your Human Design can help you identify the stories you're naturally meant to tell—and why those stories create stronger connections with your audience.Mentioned in this EpisodeEpisode 254: Using Human Design to Transform Your Business Strategy with Breanna OwenEpisode 216: Energetic Email Strategy for Connection & Conversion with Breanna OwenEpisode 277: How Human Design Is Influencing the Way We Do Business with Sabrina GebhardtEpisode 299: Done-for-You vs. Done-with-You: Which Model Fits Your Business? with Brittany HerzbergConnect with BreannaWebsite: owenyourmark.comGrab the Email Type Freebie: owenyourmark.com/energy-type-email-playbookInstagram: instagram.com/owenyourmark

What if building a successful business started with one simple belief: people matter?In this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, Adrienne Wilkerson sits down with Josh Block, author of People Matter at Work, to discuss what it truly means to build a people-first culture without sacrificing accountability, growth, or business performance. Josh shares his remarkable leadership journey—from moving from sales representative to company president almost overnight after his father stepped down, to helping grow a family business into a thriving organization that was ultimately acquired by Siemens Healthineers and CommonSpirit Health. Along the way, he learned that sustainable business growth isn't just about systems or strategy—it's about creating an environment where people feel safe, seen, and successful. Together, Adrienne and Josh explore how leaders can hold people accountable with empathy, why thoughtful leadership creates stronger organizations, and how intentional cultures outperform accidental ones.Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, healthcare leader, or accidental business owner, this conversation offers practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately.In This Episode:• Josh's unexpected journey from sales rep to company president • Leading a family business at just 29 years old • Balancing empathy with accountability • Why clear expectations create stronger teams • The difference between "me" cultures and "we" cultures • Josh's Three T's of Leadership • Creating workplaces where people feel safe, seen, and successful • Why words shape organizational culture • Leading through business acquisitions with transparency • Building businesses people actually want to work for Key Takeaways:Leadership starts with serving others.Great leaders don't simply focus on business performance. They invest in helping people become the best version of themselves while creating accountability that benefits both the individual and the organization.Accountability and empathy can coexist.Holding people accountable isn't about punishment. When expectations are clear and leaders genuinely care about their people, accountability becomes an investment in growth rather than a source of fear.Culture is built intentionally.Organizations don't accidentally create healthy workplaces. Shared language, clear values, transparency, and thoughtful leadership shape the environment employees experience every day.The strongest teams feel safe, seen, and successful.When people know they matter, they're more likely to contribute ideas, take ownership, remain engaged, and stay with the organization long term.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to The Beacon Way Podcast00:47 Meet Josh Block01:10 From Sales Representative to President Overnight03:05 Leading Older Employees at Age 2905:05 Leadership Lessons From Early Mistakes06:45 Holding People Accountable with Empathy09:50 Why Clear Expectations Matter11:05 Helping Employees Feel Safe, Seen & Successful12:40 The Three T's of Leadership15:05 Why Shared Language Builds Culture18:20 Growing a Business Through Acquisition22:30 Transitioning from President to Advisor24:05 Building Trust Through Transparency26:00 Josh's Current Work and Mission27:15 Where to Find People Matter at Work28:20 Closing ThoughtsConnect with Josh Block

Supplier diversity programs have been part of procurement's purview for decades, and they have changed a lot during that time. The categories of supplier ownership have expanded and become better defined, success metrics have narrowed, and initiatives like ESG have altered how companies relate to the program as a whole. Today, the most notable change to supplier diversity is… the silence. In this episode of The Sourcing Hero podcast, Host Kelly Barner welcomes back Lamont Robinson. Lamont is a leading voice on supplier diversity, but that doesn't mean he's hesitant to reexamine and reimagine everything about the practice.  Lamont envisions supplier diversity programs that are both business-driven and legally defensible for long term impact: Why an over-reliance on spend as a performance metric has skewed the impact of supplier diversity programs and even held them back Whether the many categories of ‘diverse' suppliers can (or should) be managed in the same way or whether they require a more varied approach Practical advice for diversity-minded procurement professionals, whether they own their company's program or not Why he feels optimistic for the future of supplier diversity   Links: Lamont Robinson on LinkedIn

Arlene believes HR has a responsibility to look beyond the organisation and help tackle the barriers that prevent people reaching their potential. At Aegon UK, she shares how listening to colleagues and stakeholders shaped an inclusion strategy centred on social mobility, with practical work supporting young people into employment and tackling in-work poverty.  Disability inclusion is a deeply personal passion for Arlene. She reflects on why disability is often misunderstood, why reasonable adjustments should be viewed as just the starting point, and how Aegon has redesigned its recruitment approach to hire for skills and potential. Arlene shares brilliant metrics demonstrating enhanced candidate experience and stronger commercial outcomes. Alongside her role at Aegon, Arlene chairs a family services charity and makes a compelling case for skills-based volunteering. Throughout the conversation, Arlene's view shines through: when HR combines commercial thinking with social purpose, organisations perform better and create opportunities for people who might otherwise be left behind. Thank you to Kin&Co for sponsoring this episode What makes or breaks large-scale transformation? Rarely the strategy - almost always the culture. Kin&Co is a certified B-Corp and female-owned consultancy on a mission to make work better for 10 million people by 2030. Using cutting-edge behavioural science, they help global organisations transform cultures and drive measurable impact on strategy, people and performance. They've developed a new behavioural blueprint for transformation, drawn from their experience at some of the UK's most iconic organisations. If you're curious, read their latest thought piece on transformation and assess your cultural readiness. Ready to build a culture that measurably drives performance? Read their thought piece at The Transformation Blueprint to learn more. References: PeopleScout UK Arctic Shores: Task-based assessments for recruitment Advancing Social Mobility in Scotland - Business in the Community Career Ready Scotland | Career Ready

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Nathan James, Creative Director at The Attention Seeker, to share his honest story on the EOS® system that changed a creative agency, & the lessons every entrepreneur can learn from failure, resilience & growth.Nathan's career began in London's creative industry in 1995, where he worked with some of the world's leading advertising agencies, including Mother & R/GA, before taking his expertise across Stockholm, New York, Amsterdam & eventually Auckland. Along the way, he built an impressive career creating campaigns for global brands & later launched his own content production & advertising business.Despite his creative success, Nathan's business ultimately failed. Poor financial management, inconsistent cash flow & the absence of a reliable sales pipeline led to bankruptcy. Rather than allowing the experience to define him, Nathan chose to learn from it. He openly shares the hard lessons he discovered about cash flow, networking, business strategy & the importance of separating creative talent from sound business management.Nathan eventually joined The Attention Seeker, where implementing EOS® transformed the way the business operates. With clear accountability, structured Level 10 Meeting® rhythms, transparent communication & defined roles through The Accountability Chart®, the agency reduced politics, strengthened collaboration & built a more profitable, stable business. Nathan explains why structure does not limit creativity. It creates the freedom for creative people to do their best work.Debra & Nathan also explore the importance of company culture & core values, discussing how transparency, daily recognition of team members & hiring based on shared values have helped create a high-performing team. Nathan shares why reporting to someone younger than himself became a valuable lesson in humility, proving that great businesses are built on merit, not hierarchy or ego.Throughout the conversation, Nathan offers honest advice for entrepreneurs who are facing setbacks. He encourages business owners to never stop learning, let go of ego & remember that material possessions do not define success. Instead, lasting success comes from building a healthy business, maintaining strong relationships & creating a life that is fulfilling both professionally & personally. 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: ► Nathan James – LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/nathanjames-cooper ► Website – attn:seeker : https://www.attnseeker.com Ep 283 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:38 – Nate's Background and Early Career 09:17 – Transition to Digital and Freelancing 17:27 – Joining The Attention Seeker 21:41 – Impact of EOS® on Business Structure 34:33 – Cultural Values and Team Dynamics 39:22 – Reducing Ego and Embracing Structure 47:37 – Lessons Learned from Business Failures 47:46 – Advice for Entrepreneurs

Jennifer Barney is the founder of Barney Butter, author of the newsletter The Business of Food, and an advisor on food manufacturing and agricultural innovation. On this episode of ITS, Jennifer and Ali talk about the CPG system. what she's optimistic about, and how founders need to understand the economics of what they're building. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What separates the business owners who thrive from those who stay stuck? After coaching hundreds of business owners, we've noticed that those who create the biggest transformations aren't necessarily the smartest, the busiest, or the ones working the longest hours. In this week's episode, Melissa Kay and Kaitlyn Beaver pull back the curtain on the patterns they see every day while coaching business owners and leading conversations with entrepreneurs across the country. You'll learn the mindset shifts that lead to sustainable growth, what the best business owners do that others overlook, the habits that create stronger teams and better leadership, and why some owners grow with confidence. In contrast, others stay stuck in survival mode. Join us for an honest conversation about what we have learned from the business owners building businesses that truly support their lives.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.Show Highlights:Top mindset shifts for sustainable growth: (Hint: Working less is more!)Create space for innovative thinking.Focus on $10,000-an-hour activities.Taking “time off” doesn't just mean going on vacation.The value of time audits in pinpointing your issuesDelegation is a true gift to your team members. It fosters growth AND trust.Clear systems make delegation easier!Do you know the sweet spot of your business?Examples from Melissa of giving clients a better lifeONE small step forward can make the biggest difference in your business and your life! Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment today!Resources:If this conversation leaves you wondering what your next step should be, take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment. It will help you identify the biggest opportunity in your business so you can stop guessing and start building a business that truly supports your life. Work should support your life–not the other way around!

Send us Fan MailWhat if becoming a calmer parent also made you a stronger leader and business owner?As mom entrepreneurs, we often separate our personal and professional lives—but the truth is, how we show up at home impacts how we lead in our businesses. In this episode I sit down with Angie Weber, founder of The Parent Toolbox, creator of the C.A.L.M. Approach to Parenting©, Director of the Divorce Support Collective, and host of the Mom Essentials Podcast, to explore how emotional regulation transforms not only our parenting, but our leadership, communication, and confidence as entrepreneurs.If you've ever found yourself snapping at your kids after a stressful workday, feeling guilty about losing your patience, or wondering why you're constantly overwhelmed, this conversation is for you.Angie shares practical, compassionate strategies to help moms move from reactive parenting to calm, connected leadership—at home and in business.In this episode, you'll learn: Why emotional regulation is one of the most important leadership skills for moms  The difference between reactive and proactive parenting  How your nervous system impacts your parenting, business, and relationships  The connection between calm parenting and confident business leadership  Practical ways to regulate your emotions before reacting  How to break generational parenting patterns with grace instead of guilt  The C.A.L.M. Approach to Parenting© and how it creates stronger family communication  Why curiosity is more powerful than criticism  How family meetings can reduce overwhelm and create smoother weeks  Simple practices to create a calmer start to the new school year Whether you're raising toddlers, teens, or somewhere in between, this episode will leave you with practical tools to build more peace in your home while becoming a more grounded CEO in your business.Connect with Angie Weber

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Certified EOS Implementer® Jeff Starin to share the remarkable story of how he grew his business by 484% after implementing EOS® & transforming the way he led his company. Jeff's entrepreneurial journey is anything but ordinary. After leaving college to become a professional pool player, he started an auto parts business with the simple goal of earning enough money to one day open a pool hall. Over the years, he built the company into a successful business, but after reaching around $5 million in revenue, growth completely stalled. For four consecutive years, sales remained virtually unchanged, leaving Jeff searching for a better way forward. Everything changed when Jeff discovered the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. Like many business owners, he initially chose to self-implement after reading Traction. While the tools helped, he quickly realised that trying to facilitate the process himself limited the results. Bringing in an experienced EOS® Implementer became the turning point, giving his leadership team the accountability, structure & objective guidance they needed to gain real Traction®. One of the biggest breakthroughs came through redesigning The Accountability Chart® & clearly defining the Visionary & Integrator roles. Jeff explains how understanding his natural strengths as a Visionary & finding the right Integrator to drive execution allowed him to stop being the bottleneck in the business. By learning to delegate effectively & empowering others to lead, the company experienced dramatic improvements in both performance & culture. Debra & Jeff also discuss the power of EOS® tools such as Level 10 Meeting® & IDS®. Jeff shares why helping leadership teams identify the real issue, instead of treating symptoms, transforms the quality of conversations, accelerates decision-making & creates a stronger culture of accountability. They also explore why difficult conversations become much easier when leadership teams have clear data, defined expectations & a proven framework for solving problems. Throughout the episode, Jeff shares practical leadership lessons that extend beyond EOS®, including why businesses move at the speed of their decisions, the importance of understanding what customers are truly paying for, & why happiness often lies on the other side of the difficult conversations leaders avoid. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs who want to grow their business, overcome the plateau many companies experience, & discover how EOS® can help build a stronger leadership team, create greater accountability & unlock sustainable long-term 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: ► Jeff Starin – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffstarineosimplementer ► Website – Entrepreneurs Organization - Los Angeles Valley: https://eolavalley.com Ep 282 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:57 – Building a Business by Accident02:02 – Discovering EOS and Achieving 484% Growth06:03 – Visionary vs Integrator: Finding the Missing Piece08:02 – The Difference Between Visionaries and Integrators22:20 – Helping Businesses Grow Is the Greatest Reward44:34 – Jeff's Top Three Business Lessons

What if you could step away from your business for six weeks… and everything kept running? For many business owners, even taking a long weekend feels impossible. It's not because you don't have a great team or you don't work hard enough. It's because your business still depends on you for too many decisions. The freedom you're looking for isn't found by working harder; it's built through intentional leadership, clear systems, and a self-managing team. In this episode of the Profit by Design Podcast, Dr. Sabrina Starling shares how she prepared her business for her 6-week vacation—and the lessons every business owner can apply to create more time, more freedom, and a more sustainably profitable business. Imagine signing off for six weeks and returning to a more confident team, a business that's still growing, and a life that finally feels aligned with why you became an entrepreneur in the first place. Join Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina to learn how to make this dream a reality in your business!Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:Dr. Sabrina's hard rule about “no takebacks” after delegating tasks for her vacationPractical steps of vacation preparations for Dr. Sabrina (How she prepares her team)The key to creating a sustainable business and job stability for your teamFocus on key results for team members.Dr. Sabrina's mandate to her team about using AI for repetitive activitiesThe incredible results our clients are experiencing because of innovation and creativityMelissa's example of freeing up her time by offloading tasks to othersThe business owner's trap: “I am the ONLY one who can do this.”Give your team members more confidence, ownership, and job stability!Ready to discover what's keeping your business dependent on you? Find out more about our Better Business, Better Life program. Learn how to slash ten hours off your work week! Book a call with Kaitlyn today!Resources:Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment to identify your biggest opportunity to create more time freedom, stronger leadership, and a sustainably profitable business! Work should support your life–not consume it!

Nine years ago I started this podcast with a simple goal: create meaningful conversations, support my collaboration partners, and deliver value to my community. I had no idea how much the journey would shape who I am as a business coach in the process. As we celebrate 500 episodes of Amplify Your Success, I wanted to do something different. Instead of looking back at my favorite interviews or biggest milestones, I'm sharing the lessons that changed me as a coach, a leader, and a business owner. These aren't podcasting tips or production hacks. They're the insights that emerged from consistently showing up, having hundreds of conversations, and learning what it really takes to build trust, authority, and community over time. In episode 500, I talk about why momentum matters more than motivation, how my podcast became my invisible sales force, what hosting hundreds of guests taught me about collaboration and discernment, and why this journey ultimately led me to create programs like my Authority Accelerator Mastermind.  If you've ever questioned whether the work you're consistently showing up for is making a difference, I hope these lessons encourage you to keep going. Sometimes the greatest transformation isn't just what you're building. It's who you're becoming along the way.   Key Takeaways: [00:00] Why reaching 500 episodes isn't just a milestone. It's a reflection on the lessons that shaped me as a business coach. [02:15] The surprising way podcasting transformed how I coach, lead, and serve my clients. [04:48] Why consistency became a leadership practice instead of just another content strategy. [07:39] How momentum, not motivation, creates long-term success and sustainable business growth. [09:45] Why a coaching business podcast can become your invisible sales force by building trust before prospects ever reach out. [11:52] The importance of specificity and why trying to speak to everyone weakens your authority. [13:56] What hosting hundreds of guest interviews taught me about collaboration, discernment, and setting higher standards. [16:11] Why saying "no" to the wrong guests ultimately strengthened my brand and protected my audience's trust. [18:01] The biggest pattern I noticed after interviewing hundreds of experts and why many podcast appearances don't translate into business growth. [20:18] How those observations led me to create Authority Accelerator and help experts become unforgettable podcast guests. [21:11] Why community, collaboration, and belonging have become central to how I build my business today. [23:24] The biggest lesson from 500 episodes and why becoming a better coach has been the greatest reward of this journey.   Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  Join me on Substack here to discover what's working now as our industry continues to evolve. Be sure to join as a Growth Fuel subscriber to gain access to upcoming live trainings. Help me celebrate this milestone for Amplify Your Success over on Substack here. Until July 31, 2026 you can qualify for valuable prizes when you join us a free or paid subscriber.  

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by Kris Snyder, Chief Advocate at Ninety.io, to explore how EOS® Powered by AI is helping leadership teams work smarter, run better meetings & build scalable businesses.Kris shares his journey from building five software companies & surviving the dot-com crash to becoming an EOS® Implementer & one of the driving forces behind Ninety.io. Today, the platform supports more than 18,000 companies & over 300,000 users, while staying grounded in the core principles of EOS®.A major focus of the conversation is how AI is transforming the way businesses use EOS®. Kris explains that AI is not replacing the EOS® process or the role of the EOS® Implementer. Instead, it removes administrative work, surfaces insights & helps leadership teams spend more time solving real business issues.Debra & Kris discuss how AI-powered tools within Ninety.io can improve meeting preparation, identify patterns, provide visibility into team performance & help leaders ask better questions. They also explore how Ninety.io is balancing innovation with the simplicity that makes EOS® so effective.Beyond technology, Kris shares why exit planning should begin long before a business owner is ready to sell. He explains how EOS® helps businesses become less dependent on the founder by building stronger leadership teams, clearer accountability & systems that allow the business to thrive independently.Throughout the episode, Debra & Kris reinforce that while AI can improve productivity & efficiency, lasting business success still depends on clear leadership, disciplined execution & meaningful human relationships.This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs & leadership teams who want to understand how EOS® Powered by AI can improve meetings, strengthen accountability, simplify operations & build a business ready for the future. 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: ► Kris Snyder – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krissnyder/► Website – Kris Snyder: https://krissnyder.com/ Ep 281 Chapters:00:00 – Introduction47:04 – Transition to EOS and Ninety.io47:19 – Changes in Ninety.io and EOS Purity47:33 – Impact of AI on EOS and Ninety.io47:47 – Challenges and Opportunities in EOS Implementation50:11 – Planning for Exit and Personal Growth50:44 – Advocacy and Community Building53:26 – Final Thoughts and Tips

Could your business survive without you for six weeks? For most business owners, the answer is NO. It's not because they aren't capable, but because the business has been built to depend on them. If taking a week off feels impossible, it's a sign that you're carrying too much of the business on your shoulders. In this episode, Dr. Sabrina Starling shares how she prepared to take a six-week vacation without her business missing a beat. It's not about working harder before you leave; it's about building the right systems, developing a self-managing team, and leading in a way that creates true freedom. Imagine coming back from vacation refreshed, instead of returning to chaos, missed opportunities, and a mountain of problems waiting for you. That's what happens when you intentionally build a business that supports your life. The measure of a healthy business isn't how hard the owner works, but how well the business performs when the owner steps away. In this episode, you'll discover why owner dependency is limiting your growth, the leadership shifts that make time away possible, how to build trust and accountability with your team, the systems every business needs before the owner can truly unplug, and why taking extended time away is one of the best tests of a healthy business. Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:Dr. Sabrina is on the brink of a six-week vacation! Hear her explain how she prepared.What we are risking when we don't prioritize vacations“What is your biggest fear if you were away for two weeks?”Melissa's perspective, as a team member, on Dr. Sabrina's vacationsThe #1 reason you should take vacations is so that your team can grow and break their dependency on you.The key to preparing for an extended vacation is to have the right systems in place. “What 20% of my effort gets 80% of my results?”“What 20% of what you do in your life produces 80% of your impact on those you love?”Getting your business shrunk down to size–not taking over your life!Ready to take your life back from your business? Need help knowing where to start? Book a call with Kaitlyn today!Resources:Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment to identify the next steps toward creating a sustainably profitable business that gives you more time, more freedom, and more peace of mind.

In this episode of Just ONE Thing, Rick White challenges shop owners to stop protecting routines and start evaluating outcomes. You'll learn why curiosity is one of the most valuable leadership traits, how small improvements compound over time, and why asking better questions is the key to building a stronger, more profitable business. If this episode made you think differently about the routines in your shop, let's have a conversation. Schedule a complimentary 15-minute coaching call with Rick and discover where your next opportunity for improvement might be. Or, if you're ready to build a more predictable and profitable shop, learn more about the 180BIZ training programs.

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Niki Wilson, founder of Snapline Systems and Professional EOS Implementer®, to explore the challenges of attempting to self-implement EOS and why many leadership teams ultimately realise they need external support.Niki shares her journey as the first employee of a fast-growing software company, where she worked closely with an inspiring Visionary owner to help scale the business. As the company grew, clarity around roles, priorities & accountability became increasingly difficult.Together, Niki & the owner recognised that EOS® was exactly what the business needed. Like many leadership teams, they initially chose to self-implement, believing they could learn & apply the tools themselves.While self-implementing EOS® created significant improvements, Niki explains that it also revealed its limitations. Leadership time that could have been focused on growing the business was instead spent facilitating sessions, learning the process & keeping everyone aligned.Eventually, they realised that bringing in an objective EOS® Implementer could accelerate progress, challenge assumptions & allow the leadership team to focus on leading rather than facilitating.A major theme throughout the conversation is the power of the Accountability Chart®. Niki describes it as one of the most transformational EOS® tools because it creates clarity around roles, responsibilities & expectations. Rather than organising people around job titles, the Accountability Chart® helps leadership teams build the structure the business actually needs to achieve its vision.The discussion also covers the impact of the Level 10 Meeting®, the EOS® Proven Process & why consistent execution is far more valuable than trying to customise or shortcut the system. Throughout the episode, Niki emphasises that EOS® is not simply a collection of business tools. It is a complete operating system that delivers the greatest results when followed as designed.This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs considering self-implementing EOS®, leadership teams looking to create greater clarity & accountability, & business owners who want to understand when bringing in an experienced EOS® Implementer can dramatically accelerate their journey towards Vision, Traction, Healthy™. 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: ► Niki Wilson – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niki-t-wilson/ ► Website – EOS Worldwide: Niki Wilson, EOS Implementer, New Orleans | EOS Implementer | EOS Worldwide Ep 280 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction00:51 – Nikki Wilson's Background and EOS® Journey 03:22 – Challenges of Self-Implementing EOS® 03:36 – The Role of the Accountability Chart® 05:22 – The Impact of EOS® Tools and Meetings 10:55 – Focus Day and the EOS® Proven Process 18:59 – The Role of an EOS® Implementer 21:39 – The Visionary–Integrator Dynamic 27:36 – The Power of the Issues Solving Track (IDS) 31:33 – Top Tips and Tools for Success

This compilation pulls from recent guest conversations with Mark O'Brien, Shane Durkin, Mike Romanowicz, Morgan Molitor, and Michael Holmes Jr. Five different perspectives, but a shared thread runs through all of them: risk, money, systems, tools, identity, and what it really takes to build a better business. Sign up for the Modern Craftsman Community:

In this episode of the Ecomm Breakthrough Podcast, host Josh Hadley shares a practical decision-making framework for choosing between competing business opportunities. Drawing from his own dilemma of hiring either a Director of E-commerce or a Director of HR, Josh outlines six key questions across two categories: assessing revenue creation, business leverage, and risk protection, then evaluating downside risk, upside potential, and feedback speed. He emphasizes that true business faith means disciplined, strategic action rather than blind risk-taking, helping entrepreneurs confidently prioritize the best opportunities over merely good ones.Bullet Points:Decision-making framework for evaluating business opportunitiesImportance of prioritizing between competing good, better, and best optionsRole of faith in business decisions as disciplined and strategic actionDilemma of hiring between a director of e-commerce and a director of HRImmediate vs. long-term impact of hiring decisions on business growthCore questions for assessing business opportunities: revenue generation, leverage, and risk protectionRisk and reward analysis: capped downside, upside potential, and feedback speedPersonal examples illustrating the decision-making framework in actionEmphasis on informed decision-making and strategic focusEncouragement to share insights with others in the entrepreneurial communityTimestamps:00:00:00 Introduction to the Decision FrameworkThe host introduces the challenge of choosing between good, better, and best opportunities and presents his decision-making framework.00:00:58 Host's Background and ExperienceJosh Hadley shares his background as a man of faith, family man, and successful e-commerce entrepreneur across multiple platforms.00:01:54 The Current Business DilemmaJosh explains his current challenge: choosing between hiring a Director of E-commerce or a Director of HR for his business.00:04:16 The Principle of Faith in Life and BusinessThe host discusses faith as a core principle, using personal examples like marriage and children to illustrate taking calculated leaps.00:07:19 Business Examples of Faith-Based DecisionsJosh relates the principle of faith to common business decisions like product launches, influencer marketing, and choosing sales channels.00:09:08 Decision Framework Part 1: The First Three QuestionsThe first part of the framework is introduced: Does it create revenue, create leverage, or protect the business downside?00:11:08 Applying Part 1 to the Director of E-commerce RoleThe host analyzes the Director of E-commerce position using the first three questions, concluding it checks all three boxes.00:12:50 Applying Part 1 to the Director of HR RoleThe Director of HR role is evaluated against the first three questions, showing it meets fewer criteria immediately.00:15:05 Decision Framework Part 2: The Final Three QuestionsThe second part of the framework is revealed: Is the downside capped, what is the upside, and is feedback fast?00:15:40 Applying Part 2 to Both RolesBoth the Director of E-commerce and Director of HR roles are compared using the second set of three questions.00:20:45 The Importance of Studied DecisionsFaith is defined as disciplined strategy and planning, not impulsive action, which this framework helps facilitate for business decisions.00:22:15 Case Study: Launching a Hero ProductA past example of choosing a higher-risk, higher-reward product launch that led to exponential growth for the business.00:24:05 Case Study: Expanding to TikTok ShopHow the framework helped prioritize TikTok Shop over other sales channels, leading to rapid success and viral growth.00:26:08 Case Study: Prioritizing ShopifyThe decision to focus on Shopify over other marketplaces by calculating its massive upside potential, which was quickly validated.00:27:28 Summary of the Six-Question FrameworkThe host recaps the complete two-part, six-question decision framework for choosing the best business opportunities and encourages listeners to apply it.Links and Mentions:Tools and Frameworks"Decision Framework Questions": "00:09:08""Second Decision Framework Questions": "00:15:05"Websites and Sales Channels"Amazon": "00:01:00""TikTok Shop": "00:01:00""Shopify": "00:01:00""Walmart": "00:01:00""Etsy": "00:01:00""eBay": "00:01:00"Concepts and Principles"Recruiting and HR Management": "00:03:13""Faith in Business": "00:04:16"Personal Experiences and Examples"Hero SKUs Launch": "00:22:56""TikTok Shop Success": "00:25:13""Shopify Launch": "00:26:08"Transcript:Josh Hadley 00:00:00  The most difficult choices in life and business are rarely decisions between good or bad opportunities. Rather. The most difficult choices are between good, better and best opportunities. Faith is not just a principle of saying yes to something and moving forward rather most often. Faith is a principle of being able to know what you're saying yes to, while also saying no to maybe five other things at the exact same time. To ensure that you are prioritizing the true right opportunity that is meant for you. Today, I'm going to share with you the decision framework that I utilize to choose between those good, better, and best options that sit in front of us on a daily basis as business owners. Welcome to the E-com Breakthrough Podcast, I'm Josh Hadley. I've scaled my own e-commerce brand from 0 to 8 figures, and I'm actively building towards nine figures in sales. This podcast is where I document that journey and share the systems, the strategies and the lessons learned in real time so that you can learn what actually matters and scale your own business.Josh Hadley 00:00:58  My name is Josh Hadley. First and foremost, I'm a man of faith. I am a husband to a beautiful wife, and I am also the father of four children. I have been selling in the e-commerce space for over a decade, doing over $20 million in revenue and selling multi millions on three different sales channels such as Amazon, TikTok, Shop and Shopify. And I am also the host of the number ...

Most entrepreneurs treat business problems as money problems. In this episode, Brian Thompson makes the case that they are almost always alignment problems, and that better decision-making starts not with tactics, but with mission, vision, and values. Brian shares the alignment framework he uses with entrepreneurs across industries to help them make decisions with more clarity, confidence, and purpose. If you have ever felt like your business decisions are harder than they should be, this episode will help you understand why, and what to do about it.   In this episode you will learn: Why most business problems are alignment problems, not money problems How to use mission, vision, and values as a foundation for better decision-making Why tactics like pricing, hiring, and structure should come after the foundation is clear How to think about money, energy, and ethics as the three pillars of a sustainable business strategy Why profit protects your mission and allows meaningful work to continue How to evaluate any business decision using your values as a filter What to do before you raise your prices, hire someone, or launch something new Better decision-making in business starts with a clear foundation. When mission, vision, and values are in place, the tactical questions, what to charge, when to hire, how to structure the business, become much easier to answer with confidence and alignment. This episode is especially relevant for service-based entrepreneurs, therapists, coaches, consultants, and creatives who are building businesses around meaningful work and want a framework that reflects their values as much as their goals.   Resources + Links Newsletter Sign Up Follow Brian Thompson Online: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Forbes Follow & review the podcast: on Spotify and Apple Podcasts   About Brian and the Mission Driven Business Podcast Brian Thompson, JD/CFP®, is a tax attorney and Certified Financial Planner® who specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning to LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who run mission-driven businesses. The Mission Driven Business podcast was born out of his passion for helping social entrepreneurs create businesses with purpose and profit. On the podcast, Brian talks with diverse entrepreneurs and the people who support them. Listeners hear stories of experiences, strength, and hope and get practical advice to help them build businesses that might just change the world, too.

IN CLEAR FOCUS: Mike Hower, author of "Sustainability Storytelling: Communicate Trust, Brand Value, and Better Business," explains why silence costs brands. He reveals how companies can overcome "greenhushing" and navigate the risks of greenwashing. Discover Mike's Four C's framework—context, compelling, credible, and compliant—to align legal and marketing teams, and learn how radical transparency and treating sustainability as a core strategy can communicate trust and drive value.

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with AI expert & “AI Whisperer” Severin Sorensen discuss about how AI isn't replacing you, but it's making you more valuable.Severin shares his remarkable journey from writing an entire book with AI in just five days to becoming a leading advocate for the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Rather than seeing AI as a replacement for people, Severin believes its real power lies in amplifying human capability, helping leaders think better, solve problems faster & create greater value. One of the biggest ideas in this conversation is the power of using multiple AI models instead of relying on just one. Severin explains how different AI platforms have different strengths, & how leaders can orchestrate them together to create a powerful “thinking team” that challenges ideas, improves decisions & produces stronger results than a single model working alone.This philosophy forms the foundation of his latest book, Claude Conductor, which explores how AI can be used as an intelligent orchestrator, not just a chatbot. Debra & Severin also discuss practical ways to improve AI efficiency. From writing better prompts & defining tasks clearly before execution to converting PDFs into markdown files to reduce token costs, Severin shares techniques that can help leaders increase productivity while reducing unnecessary AI expenses. The conversation also tackles one of the most important topics surrounding artificial intelligence today: ethics. Severin explains why businesses must develop & use AI responsibly, ensuring it strengthens human judgement rather than replacing it. He encourages leaders to treat AI as a trusted thinking partner that asks better questions, challenges assumptions & supports more informed decisions. This episode is essential listening for entrepreneurs, business owners & leadership teams who want to move beyond basic prompting & unlock the true potential of artificial intelligence to build a better business & 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/ ___________________________________________       GUEST'S DETAILS: ► Severin Sorensen – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/severinsorensen ► Website – ePraxis: https://www.epraxis.com Ep 279 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:39 – Ethical AI and Personal Efficiency 04:53 – Becoming the AI Whisperer 10:29 – The Role of AI in Coaching and Business 15:29 – Ethical Considerations and the Future of AI 41:03 – Practical Applications and Efficiency in AI Use 53:44 – The Impact of AI on Business and Society 56:45 – Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

Join Rory Mitchell and Brittany Hall as they explore authenticity in networking, building a business, financial literacy, and balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship. This conversation offers practical insights for entrepreneurs and content creators aiming for genuine growth and success.Here is a link to the podcast below, with some great tips on business, networking and much more! The Revenue Agency Podcast, very explosive, clear information in their latest podcast episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6dOb5lvgD8xM6s1ZhinpCx?si=f057895d4db54944Connect With Brittney HallINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thebrittneyhall/PODCAST: https://open.spotify.com/show/47clDMpjiZRByVBuUTboYL?si=a9daed0dc1114ff9 WEBSITE: https://www.therevenueagency.comWORK WITH BRITTNEY: https://go.therevenueagency.com/againstthegrain?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn3mHWxVabnvpIK8-kfSA6Yqr4r4RqSI9tKUIuUpVpAQfonPuMVerET0yJ5dI_aem_jEXBcw23yz7KCVoZs30Qdg

In this episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Darryl Dillon-Shallard, Chief Growth Officer at Butterfly, to explore how AI is making custom software affordable again. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in the digital industry, Darryl shares his journey from graphic designer to digital strategist, including the development of the My Stable app for horse trainers and his work helping organisations build custom digital solutions that solve real business problems. The conversation explores how AI is fundamentally changing software development. Darryl explains that artificial intelligence is dramatically reducing the time and cost required to prototype new ideas, making custom-built applications more accessible than ever before. Rather than forcing businesses to adapt their processes to off-the-shelf software, organisations can increasingly develop solutions tailored to the way they already operate. While AI presents exciting opportunities, Darryl cautions against rushing into development without proper planning. He explains why investing time in discovery, understanding user needs, creating a detailed project brief, and choosing the right development partner are all essential to delivering scalable, maintainable solutions that provide long-term value. The episode also looks at the evolution of digital technology, from the early days of Flash websites and mobile apps to today's cloud-based web applications powered by artificial intelligence. Darryl shares why many organisations are shifting towards browser-based applications that streamline internal workflows, improve productivity, and solve operational challenges more effectively than traditional mobile apps. Whether you're considering a custom application, exploring AI opportunities, or simply trying to understand where technology is heading, this conversation offers practical insights into how businesses can innovate with confidence while avoiding costly mistakes.       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:   ► Darryl Dillon-Shallard – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-dillon-shallard/ ► Website – Butterfly: https://www.butterfly.com.au/         Episode 278 Chapters:    00:00 – Introduction   00:38 – Introduction and Overview of Digital Transformation  05:36 – Evolution of Web and App Development  09:51 – Challenges and Pitfalls in Digital Development  18:04 – Comparing Quotes and Making Informed Decisions  18:24 – Examples of Successful Projects  25:42 – Future Trends in Digital Development  26:29 – Final Thoughts and Tips for Listeners

Brent Garrett, The Skilled Trades Coach www.theskilledtradescoach.com In this episode of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy talks with Brent Garrett, owner of Sirius Plumbing & Air Conditioning, founder of The Skilled Trades Coach, and author of 30 Days to a Better Business. Brent has lived the skilled trades from the inside. He has built companies, sold companies, rebuilt companies, coached contractors, trained technicians, and learned some of the hardest lessons a business owner can learn. One of those lessons came when the lights went out in his own office because the electric bill had not been paid. That moment forced Brent to look honestly at the business, the financials, the culture, the leadership, and his own responsibility as the owner. This conversation is for every contractor who has ever felt busy but still wondered where the profit went. Brent and Andy talk about what it really takes to build a better trades business. They discuss why sales should not feel sleazy, why technicians should be trained as experts and problem solvers, and why the customer experience starts before anyone ever knocks on the door. Brent shares his approach to needs-based selling, option-based proposals, and the "must, should, could" framework that helps customers choose what is best for their home, their family, and their budget. He explains why people love to buy but hate to be sold, and why value, likability, and affordability must all be in place before a customer says yes. The conversation also gets into one of the biggest challenges in the trades: pricing. Brent explains why contractors often undervalue themselves, why revenue can become a vanity number, and why gross profit is the number every business owner needs to understand. He makes the case that a clean truck, a professional uniform, a trained technician, clear communication, and a repeatable customer experience all have value, and that contractors should price their work accordingly. Andy and Brent also talk about marketing, Google Local Services Ads, PPC, SEO, word-of-mouth growth, and why some contractors may be spending too much with marketing companies. Brent shares how Sirius has grown through organic growth, referrals, top-of-mind awareness, and a disciplined approach to marketing spend. They also discuss AI and technology in the trades, including tools like Claude, Zapier, AI answering systems, texting, CRM workflows, and the difference between leading-edge and bleeding-edge technology. Brent's advice is clear: use technology when it improves the client experience, reduces overhead, or helps the team. Do not chase tech just because it looks exciting. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for irrigation contractors, HVAC contractors, plumbing companies, and any skilled trades business owner trying to move from owning a job to building a real company. Topics covered include: The story behind the lights going out in Brent's business Why business owners can delegate tasks but not responsibility Sales as a culture issue, not just a sales issue Needs-based selling and option-based proposals The "must, should, could" framework Why likability comes before price How technicians can sell without acting like salespeople Why "early is on time" matters The first five minutes of a service call How to ask better questions and listen with your pen Why customers choose the better option How to become your own competition Choosing the right customer for your business PPC, LSA, SEO, and marketing spend in the trades Why contractors need to understand gross profit Revenue vs. profit Why working harder is often not the answer AI tools, texting, call booking, and customer communication Leading-edge vs. bleeding-edge technology Why the magic moment still happens in the field Building a business without compromising your values Brent's message is simple and powerful: you do not have to compromise your values to build a successful, skilled trades business. You can make a fair and honest profit, serve customers well, provide for your family, support your team, and build something that lasts. Learn more about Brent Garrett and The Skilled Trades Coach at: theskilledtradescoach.com

We have a special episode for you today! A few weeks ago, Dr. Sabrina was invited to a webinar in the Pumpkin Planners Rock Facebook Group to consider this important question: “Is your business killing your relationship?” We've found that this topic resonates deeply with small business owners everywhere, because we all fear that our commitment to our work is taking over our lives, killing our marriages, and damaging our relationships with loved ones. We are bringing you this webinar to increase understanding about entrepreneurial burnout and to prevent your business from becoming the uninvited third party in your relationships. If you want to show up fully present in your most important relationships, this episode is for YOU. It could change your life!Donna Leyens is the president and co-founder of Pumpkin Plan Your Biz. She is on a mission to save small businesses from extinction by providing tools, strategies, training, and support to business professionals who want to make a big impact as small business growth strategists. This mighty team of strategists uses The Pumpkin Plan Action Guide, a business growth program Donna developed based on the methods in the book, The Pumpkin Plan, written by her co-founder, Mike Michalowicz. Pumpkin Plan Strategists help small businesses not just stay afloat but also scale and grow in both profitability and size, while giving the owner time for life and relationships. Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:The mission of the Pumpkin Plan programThe early warning signs that your business is damaging your relationshipThe trap: Being physically present and mentally “checked out” with our familiesHow to know when your business is taking up way too much of your mental spaceYou're not a bad person if you're a burned-out entrepreneur! (Our Better Business, Better Life Assessment is the only tool that measures burnout in entrepreneurs and the health of their businesses.)Burnout: A combination of all the small things and stressors we absorb (Listen to the cold, hard facts that our research has shown.)Dr. Sabrina's story (Listen to learn why this mission is a personal one.)Entrepreneurs are disconnected at home. Why?We need to value our time differently. (Are you working on $10,000 an hour activities? Download your chart now!)Are your team members working from their strengths?What are the $10,000 an hour activities in your relationships? Nothing else matters!Action steps to start today: Recognize that limits drive innovation and creativity, completely turn off your phone in the evenings and on weekends (Do you need a “Work supports life” sticker?), and ask your loved ones what would be going on if your relationship were at a “10.” Resources:Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment to identify what may be keeping you stuck and killing your relationships!

Send us Fan MailThe Future of Wireless Connectivity: Insights from Christian RouffaertIn this episode of The Wireless Way, Christian Rouffaert, CEO of Teragence, shares his deep expertise on the evolving wireless landscape, especially around indoor connectivity, data-driven insights, and emerging technologies like 5G and beyond. Whether you're a tech advisor or a business leader, understanding these trends is crucial for staying ahead.Key Topics: How wireless networks are transforming with 5G, IoT, edge computing, and AI The importance of actionable network intelligence versus proxies and projectionsChallenges and solutions for indoor wireless in warehouses, theaters, and retailBuilding owner and real estate perspectives on connectivity as a value driverTools and data services Terigence offers for network planning, fault diagnosis, and digital twinsThe role of storytelling to simplify complex wireless concepts for non-technical stakeholdersFuture outlook: The growing need for indoor coverage and 3D modeling of buildingsThe fragmentation of the wireless supply landscape with private networks and diverse providersIn this episode:Christian's career journey from data centers to wireless and his approach to translating massive network data into actionable insightsThe challenges of indoor mobile connectivity and innovative ways to address themHow real estate development and retail chains are increasingly prioritizing connectivityThe importance of clear storytelling in technology—what it really means to improve network performanceExciting prospects: The transition towards AI-enabled, low-latency 6G networks Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to the episode and Christian Rouffaert background 02:12 - Christian's unexpected career pivot and the importance of storytelling in tech 05:07 - Turning network data into actionable insights and customer outcomes 10:18 - Challenges in indoor wireless connectivity and how to address them 13:40 - The language barrier between technical providers and real estate developers 15:35 - Decision matrices to choose the right wireless solution for buildings 19:43 - Trends in indoor connectivity and the impact on real estate economics 22:11 - What Teragence offers: data products, digital twins, and consulting 26:40 - Use cases: theaters, hotels, retail, and hospitality 29:40 - Planning for private cellular networks in underserved areas 42:41 - The future of indoor connectivity: 6G and evolving architecture 45:17 - The importance of agility and adapting to rapid technological change 48:33 - Final thoughts on security, device sprawl, and AI's role 49:28 - Wrapping up and staying connectedResources & Links: Teragence Christian Rouffaert - LinkedInDigital Twin conceptThis episode offers a comprehensive look at the converging worlds of wireless technology, data, and real estate development. Christian's insights clarify why understanding and simplifying network data is more critical than ever—and how the industry will evolve in the coming years. Whether you're planning new indoor deployments or thinking about future network standards, there's a wisdom here for every technology architect and business leader.“This is The Wireless Way—where mobility, IoT, and innovation drive real business outcomes.” Support the showCheck out my website https://thewirelessway.net/ use the contact button to send request and feedback. 

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Richard is back, fresh off a World Cup match at the Meadowlands, and he's got plenty to say about the experience—from the surprisingly smooth transportation operation to the electric atmosphere inside the stadium. Meanwhile, Ed finally checks JetBlue Mint off his list and shares why the experience reinforced one of the biggest challenges facing the legacy carriers: delivering a premium product that feels worth the price. The conversation also dives into Bilt's newest transfer partner, Preferred Hotels, bringing the program back to 25 partners and opening up a new collection of boutique and luxury properties for point redemptions. Plus, a look at Air Canada's little-known airport cafés, why loyalty programs continue marching toward higher prices, and a potentially lucrative Pays promotion that listeners may want to jump on before it disappears. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️  What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ Richard attends a World Cup match • France vs. Senegal at the Meadowlands • New Jersey Transit's surprisingly smooth operation • Why the overall experience exceeded expectations ✈️ Ed finally flies JetBlue Mint • A321 Mint experience review • Seat, service, and onboard Wi-Fi • Why JetBlue continues to stand out ✈️ The state of airline Wi-Fi • American Airlines free Wi-Fi rollout frustrations • JetBlue's connectivity advantage • Why reliability still matters ✈️ The power of points and miles • Using miles to stay for an All-Star game • Last-minute flight changes • Why flexibility remains invaluable ✈️ Admirals Club vs. Delta Sky Club • A tale of two lounge experiences • Food quality differences • How the products continue to diverge ✈️ Air Canada's airport cafés • Complimentary access for elite travelers • Why the concept stands out • Comparing loyalty investments across airlines ✈️ Bilt adds Preferred Hotels • Transfer partner number 25 • One Bilt point to two Preferred points • Boutique hotel redemption opportunities   ✈️ Accor Voyager membership • Discounted membership opportunity • Elite night credits • Whether the math works ✈️ Are loyalty programs becoming too expensive? • Inflation in award pricing • The future of airline and hotel currencies • Where value still exists ✈️ A Pays promotion worth watching • Bonus points opportunities • Why it may not last long • Getting value before the offer disappears ⏱️ Episode 442 Timestamps 1:06 – Richard's World Cup experience at the Meadowlands 7:06 – Ed reviews JetBlue Mint 11:15 – American's free Wi-Fi rollout frustrations 12:44 – Using points and miles to save an All-Star game trip 15:37 – Admirals Club vs. Delta Sky Club 19:36 – Discovering Air Canada's airport cafés 23:31 – Are loyalty programs headed in the wrong direction? 28:07 – Bilt adds Preferred Hotels as partner #25 29:57 – Accor Voyager membership opportunity 32:54 – Pays promotion and bonus points opportunity                

In 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   

Six years ago, Christopher Marquis wrote that the B Corp movement was remaking capitalism. Today the movement is twenty years old, ten thousand companies strong, and in the middle of a reckoning. Marquis, Sinyi Professor at Cambridge Judge Business School and author of Better Business, Mao and Markets and The Profiteers, joins the show to talk straight. Why the Dr. Bronner's exit and the Nespresso certification forced B Lab to tighten its standards. Why a company's positives can no longer outweigh its negatives. Why regulation catching up is not a threat to B Corp but the highest form of success. We also go where few sustainability conversations dare: China's dominance in clean energy despite its authoritarianism, the risk of a K-shaped world that leaves the Global South behind, and where Africa really stands.

Burnout doesn't just make you tired; it changes how you show up and lead. When you're constantly emotionally exhausted and under pressure, you make reactive decisions instead of strategic ones, and you hold onto control because everything feels risky. You avoid hard conversations, say YES when you should say NO, and lead from a place of urgency, fear, and survival mode rather than clarity and confidence. The hardest part is that most high-performing business owners don't even realize it's happening, because they are still functioning, still producing, and still carrying the business. They've lost their peace, perspective, energy, and trust in themselves. If this resonates with you, you're not alone! The solution isn't taking time off, but it's rebuilding your relationship with yourself that can change everything in your business. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling unpack how burnout affects decision-making, why high performers normalize emotional exhaustion, the connection between self-leadership and business growth, and how to lead from clarity rather than fear.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production.Show Highlights:Real-life examples from Dr. Sabrina about fear-based decisions and the “dumb tax.”The cost of losing the ability to think strategically is making reactive decisions.Creating boundaries, leading proactively, and NOT overfunctioningYou can't say YES to every opportunity!Melissa's perspective on better relationships and strategic thinking about self-careMelissa's powerful question: “If the relationship with myself is a 10, what am I experiencing?”Dr. Sabrina's revelation about grief and loveAnother powerful question: “If I took care of myself the way I care for others, what would I be doing for myself?”Let go of hustle culture!Our clients experience a 700% increase in time off, a 215% increase in profit, and a 55% increase in owner's pay–in the first year with us!Your next step? Take our Better Business, Better Life Assessment. Click here to do it today!Dr. Sabrina's gold nugget for today: “As you head into this weekend, fully unplug from your business. Just do it.”Resources:Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment to identify what may be keeping you stuck in survival mode!Mentioned in this episode:Jumpstart Your Business!You've built a successful business—but it's still running you. Join us to reclaim 10 hours a week and finally step into your role as the owner—register now: https://www.tapthepotential.com/jumpstart.

For the last 50 years, we've operated under a single dominant idea: the purpose of business is to maximize shareholder value. But what if this whole era of extraction and short-termism isn't the natural order at all? What if it's just a blip? Sarah Gillard, CEO of Blueprint for Better Business, has spent 25 years inside major corporations watching what happens when companies forget what they're actually for, and she makes the case that business has both the power and the obligation to change it.Episode Highlights: [00:02:42] Two very different business models: profit maximization vs. employee ownership, from inside the same industry [00:06:37] The ESG rollback in context: what the data actually shows about corporate commitments [00:09:03] The forces of gravity that act on companies as they scale, and why purpose needs structural defense [00:12:17] The 70% problem: why intangible assets dominate organizational value but get ignored [00:15:27] Rethinking the social contract: why government, business, and civil society can't afford separate swim lanes [00:27:07] AI as a force for good or fragility: the questions businesses aren't asking but should be [00:37:58] Blueprint for Better Business's two foundational ideas, and why neither is as radical as it soundsNotable Quotes: Eric Ressler [00:25:20]: "We need more in culture imagining what that future could and should be, instead of constantly only warning about what it's looking like it's going to be." Sarah Gillard [00:38:40]: "Historically we will see these last 50-odd years as an odd blip. How do we take the most powerful shaper of our societies and just go: just focus on the money? Just weird." Sarah Gillard [00:40:20]: "Good intentions are necessary, but not sufficient. You need legal and governance mechanisms that keep you on track even when there is significant pressure to move."Resources & Links:Blueprint for Better Business — Sarah's organization; the one-page AI framework for boardrooms is available on their websiteJohn Lewis Partnership — The UK's largest employee-owned business, where Sarah led purpose strategyThe Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Dear Alice: Utopian anime yogurt commercial — mentioned by Eric as a rare example of positive future imageryHosted by Eric Ressler, Founder & Creative Director of Cosmic, with co-host Jonathan Hicken, Executive Director of the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. New episodes every Tuesday.→ Subscribe: designingtomorrow.show → Work with Cosmic: designbycosmic.comListeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.comThank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

In 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

If you've ever walked away from a mastermind, a coaching call, or a well-meaning conversation with a colleague feeling more confused than when you started — this episode is going to name something you've probably been living with for a long time. It's not that there's too little advice out there. It's that most of us have never stopped to ask whether the advice we're taking is actually right for us, our business, and where we are right now.My guest today is Sandra Booker, founder of Sidekick COO and creator of Scale Society, a fractional COO who works with established online service providers to find the single constraint costing them the most time and money — and then designs the systems and team structures to solve it. Sandra is one of the most well-respected operators in the online business world, and this conversation is exactly as good as I knew it would be.What Sandra and I get into goes way beyond operations and systems. We talk about how to know when you actually need to hire someone versus when you need a better process, the art of pausing before reacting when urgency sets in, and Sandra's concept of "curating your room" — being intentional about whose voices you let influence your decisions, and why the most impressive person in the room isn't always the right one to listen to. Sandra also shares a super cool AI tool that she built and has been using in her own business that I cannot wait for you to hear about — and that I think is going to change how a lot of you are using AI.In this episode we talk about:Why the "self-made" entrepreneur is a myth — and what the business owners who actually build something have in common that nobody talks aboutHow to tell the difference between needing a team member, needing a system, or needing to pause and look at what's already in your businessThe real cost of making decisions from fear, urgency, or comparison — and what to do insteadSandra's concept of curating your room — why your business bestie might be exactly the wrong person to consult when you have a hard decision to makeThe AI tool Sandra built called “The Advisory Board” — and how you can do the same for yourselfWhy the right move in a revenue dip is almost always to look inside your existing business first — and what to look forHow to evaluate advice you're hearing — whether it's from a podcast, a mastermind, or someone making big revenue claims onlineYour next best business decision is probably not going to come from someone else's strategy. It's going to come from getting clearer on what's actually happening inside your own business — and this episode is going to help you do that!Design the room your decisions deserve with Sandra's AI Boardroom Blueprint.

In 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

Regret can feel like a punch to the gut, but it's one of the most underrated decision-making tools we have.When a choice leaves that bitter, lingering “that wasn't right” feeling, it's often not random emotion. It's a signal that something important in you just got ignored.I walk you through a real decision I made too quickly.We dig into values-based decision making, why trade-offs are unavoidable, and how to stop choosing from a place of stress, people-pleasing, or a packed schedule. I also share the values assessment I like (the Values Bridge Assessment by Susie Welch) and why “I know my values” isn't enough if you can't name them or act on them day to day.If you're navigating leadership decisions, career moves, or any high-stakes personal choice, you'll leave with a simple method to turn regret into alignment and make choices you're proud of later.If this helps, subscribe, share it with one person who's struggling with a decision right now, and leave a review so more people can find the show.Values-Bridge Assessment: https://thevaluesbridge.com/Executive-Coaching Session to Work Through Tough Decisions: https://calendly.com/angelashurina/executive-momentum-360Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the showBrought to you by Angela Shurina  Certified Health, Sleep, Performance & Executive Coach 360 with 18 years of experience helping people change to feel, be and do their best.

In 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

In 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

Reclaiming the Driver's Seat: Engineering a Self-Sustaining Enterprise with Sabrina StarlingIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Sabrina Starling, the founder of Tap The Potential and the author of the How to Hire the Best series and The 4 Week Vacation®, to break down the toxic myth of the 24/7 entrepreneurial hustle. As a business psychologist and corporate strategist, Sabrina specializes in helping highly successful founders escape the operational traps that transform profitable companies into high-stress jobs. This conversation delivers an intentional blueprint for executives and business owners who are ready to eliminate leadership burnout, optimize their labor infrastructure, and structure an organization that grows predictably without relying on the daily intervention of its founder.The Architecture of Autonomy: Implementing the $10,000-an-Hour FrameworkThe primary bottleneck stalling the valuation of a mid-market business is almost always the founder's inability to detach from tactical, day-to-day operations. Sabrina Starling points out that many business owners waste their valuable cognitive capacity on lower-tier tasks, failing to realize that true enterprise scale demands a fierce dedication to high-leverage, high-value strategy. By categorizing corporate activities into distinct tiers—ranging from administrative data management to what she terms "$10,000-an-hour activities," such as innovating core services or securing strategic relationships—leaders can systematically audit their schedules to protect their highest and best use. This operational shift forces the executive to build documented processes and train internal talent, moving the organization away from an fragile, founder-centric model and into a highly optimized, automated corporate engine.Transitioning from an over-involved manager to an intentional CEO requires a structural commitment to measuring high-impact results rather than raw hours worked. When an enterprise operates under the false assumption that employee output equals physical time spent at a desk, it naturally breeds a culture of inefficiency and administrative fatigue. Real growth is unlocked when leadership establishes clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and assigns total outcome ownership to individual team members, freeing the executive from the burden of micromanagement. This systemic accountability allows the company to focus explicitly on its market "sweet spot"—the top 20% of profitable clients who drive 80% of revenue—ensuring that every operational role is mathematically mapped to maximize the enterprise's bottom line.True organizational health is ultimately validated when a founder can step completely away from the business for extended blocks of time without a drop in production or profitability. Sabrina's signature framework, The 4 Week Vacation®, serves as a diagnostic tool for the company's infrastructure; stepping out of the office forces hidden operational gaps to rise to the surface, showing exactly where systems or delegation chains need adjustment. Rather than viewing an extended break as an unreachable luxury, modern business owners must treat unplugging as a mandatory governance practice that builds cross-functional team resilience. When an organization is backed by robust standard operating procedures and an empowered leadership tier, the business evolves into a self-sustaining asset that supports the founder's life while continuously building long-term equity.About Sabrina StarlingSabrina Starling is the Founder and Chief Coach of Tap The Potential and an expert in entrepreneurial psychology and workplace culture optimization. With a background in corporate behavioral dynamics and strategic management, Sabrina has dedicated her career to helping business owners maximize profit margins while reclaiming their personal freedom. She is a TEDx speaker and the best-selling author of the How to Hire the Best series and The 4 Week Vacation®: The Entrepreneur's Ultimate Guide to Taking Your Life Back from Your Business.About Tap The PotentialTap The Potential is a premier business coaching and organizational development consultancy designed to help founders transition from reactive operators to strategic owners. The firm specializes in helping small-to-mid-sized enterprises identify their most profitable client niches, implement high-yield workflow automation, and recruit top-tier talent. Through structured coaching frameworks like the Better Business, Better Life Assessment, Tap The Potential empowers companies to build highly scalable operations that thrive independently of their founders.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeTap The Potential Official Website: tapthepotential.comKey Episode HighlightsThe $10,000-an-Hour Mandate: How to audit your corporate calendar to isolate high-leverage strategy from low-value busywork.The Outcome-Based Accountability Model: Moving away from tracking billable hours to focus entirely on clear, data-driven employee KPIs.Identifying Your Client Sweet Spot: Designing your business infrastructure around the top 20% of profitable clients to optimize margins.The Vacation Litmus Test: Using extended founder absences as a strategic diagnostic tool to uncover and fix cracks in corporate systems.Eradicating Executive Burnout: Why establishing strict daily work boundaries is an essential component of clear, high-stakes decision making.ConclusionThe conversation with Sabrina Starling highlights that an entrepreneur's true success is measured by the independence of their business. By building robust operational frameworks, delegating with clear accountability, and ruthlessly protecting high-value strategic time, business leaders can transform a chaotic, time-consuming business into a streamlined corporate asset that delivers lasting professional and personal freedom.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

AI is changing legal marketing faster than most law firms realize. In episode 617 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Conrad Saam, founder of Mockingbird, about what law firms need to understand as AI begins reshaping marketing, reporting, decision making, and the business of running a firm.  Conrad shares why AI may give smaller, more entrepreneurial law firms a new way to compete against larger firms with bigger budgets and more data. He explains how firms can use AI to build smarter internal systems, improve reporting, and rethink the tools they rely on every day.  The conversation also explores leadership under pressure through Conrad's volunteer work in ski patrol and search and rescue. From staying calm in high stress situations to debriefing after things go wrong, he shares practical lessons law firm owners can apply when managing clients, teams, campaigns, and business decisions.  If you are trying to understand what AI really means for law firm growth, legal marketing, and the future of small firms, this episode offers a grounded look at what is changing, what is overhyped, and what law firm owners should pay attention to next.  Listen to our previous episodes on Legal Marketing, AI & Smarter Law Firm Growth.  #603: Turn Expertise into Clients: Building Authority That AI Recognizes, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN  #584: How to Stay Human in the Age of AI Driven Law Firm Marketing, with Conroy Creative Apple | Spotify | LTN   #580: Smarter Law Firm Marketing: AI Tools That Actually Work, with FirmPilot Apple | Spotify | LTN  #577: Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN   #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam Apple | Spotify | LTN  Apple | Spotify | LTN  Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Subscribe to Lawyerist Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/xrm0mqp4tqwi0ozntiu41g   Chapters / Timestamps:  00:00 – Introduction  00:25 – Lawyer Mental Health and Well Being02:45 – Meet Legal Marketing Expert Conrad Saam03:35 – The Early Days of SEO for Lawyers04:00 – What Search and Rescue Teaches About Business06:40 – Why Law Firm Owners Struggle to Disconnect08:45 – Calm Leadership in Stressful Moments09:55 – How Leaders Shape Law Firm Culture12:05 – Using Checklists to Make Better Business Decisions13:00 – Preparing for Problems Before They Happen14:20 – Why Outcomes Don't Tell the Whole Story16:05 – The Value of Legal Marketing Content17:40 – AI and the Future of Legal Marketing18:25 – What ABA Tech Show Revealed About AI19:35 – Why Law Firms May Build Their Own AI Tools20:35 – Can AI Level the Playing Field for Small Firms?23:35 – Replacing Expensive Reporting Systems with AI26:25 – Why AI Rankings Can Be Misleading28:45 – Tactical Marketing for Law Firm Owners31:10 – Rethinking Leadership as a Law Firm CEO32:20 – Closing Thoughts  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Better technology.”It's the phrase everyone in real estate keeps repeating right now.AI. Automation. Systems. Tools.But what does any of that actually mean for your real estate business?In this episode of The MindShare Podcast, David Greenspan breaks down the real problem most agents are facing when it comes to technology, AI, CRMs, automation, and productivity — and why more tools won't fix a business that lacks structure in the first place.Because for most agents, the issue isn't technology.It's overwhelm.Too many platforms.Too many logins.Too many disconnected systems.Too much reacting… and not enough actual business infrastructure.David walks through the core technology every real estate business actually needs:CRM systemsdeal trackingcalendars and time blockingaccounting softwaredocument managementmarketing systemscommunication trackingAI tools that improve efficiency instead of creating more chaosThis episode also dives into:why most agents misuse AIhow “bright shiny object syndrome” is hurting productivitythe difference between automation and strategywhy unused technology becomes expensive clutterhow to build a simpler, more scalable real estate businessIf you've ever felt overwhelmed by technology…If you've ever wondered what systems you actually need…Or if you're trying to figure out how AI fits into your business without becoming another distraction…[00:00] Introduction — “Better technology” and industry headlines[02:00] What does “better tech” actually mean?[04:00] Why most agents can't define the problem technology solves[06:00] Why most agents don't run structured businesses[08:00] Overwhelm, reacting, and disconnected systems[10:00] More tools = more chaos[12:00] CRM systems and database management[15:00] Deal tracking and compliance systems[18:00] Showing management and scheduling[20:00] Calendar systems and time blocking[22:00] Accounting systems and tracking profitability[25:00] Document storage and file organization[27:00] Marketing systems and communication tools[30:00] Why everyone is talking about AI[33:00] The mistake agents make with automation[36:00] AI replacing thinking vs supporting structure[39:00] Why more output doesn't always create resultsBuilding a Better Business[42:00] Simplicity vs complexity[45:00] Why unused technology becomes clutter[48:00] The agents who are actually winning right now[51:00] Clarity, control, consistency, then efficiency[54:00] Technology should support the business — not become the businessTechnology doesn't fix chaos.It amplifies it.The agents who win aren't the ones chasing every new tool — they're the ones who build simple systems, use them consistently, and leverage technology with purpose.SponsorsKiTS — Keep-in-Touch SystemsHelping real estate professionals stay top of mind through smarter marketing, CRM, and communication systems.REM — Real Estate MagazineCanada's trusted source for real estate news, business insights, and industry trends.

AI is changing legal marketing faster than most law firms realize. In episode 617 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Conrad Saam, founder of Mockingbird, about what law firms need to understand as AI begins reshaping marketing, reporting, decision making, and the business of running a firm.  Conrad shares why AI may give smaller, more entrepreneurial law firms a new way to compete against larger firms with bigger budgets and more data. He explains how firms can use AI to build smarter internal systems, improve reporting, and rethink the tools they rely on every day.  The conversation also explores leadership under pressure through Conrad's volunteer work in ski patrol and search and rescue. From staying calm in high stress situations to debriefing after things go wrong, he shares practical lessons law firm owners can apply when managing clients, teams, campaigns, and business decisions.  If you are trying to understand what AI really means for law firm growth, legal marketing, and the future of small firms, this episode offers a grounded look at what is changing, what is overhyped, and what law firm owners should pay attention to next.  Listen to our previous episodes on Legal Marketing, AI & Smarter Law Firm Growth.  #603: Turn Expertise into Clients: Building Authority That AI Recognizes, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN  #584: How to Stay Human in the Age of AI Driven Law Firm Marketing, with Conroy Creative Apple | Spotify | LTN   #580: Smarter Law Firm Marketing: AI Tools That Actually Work, with FirmPilot Apple | Spotify | LTN  #577: Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN   #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam Apple | Spotify | LTN  Apple | Spotify | LTN  Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.     Chapters / Timestamps:  00:00 – Introduction  00:25 – Lawyer Mental Health and Well Being02:45 – Meet Legal Marketing Expert Conrad Saam03:35 – The Early Days of SEO for Lawyers04:00 – What Search and Rescue Teaches About Business06:40 – Why Law Firm Owners Struggle to Disconnect08:45 – Calm Leadership in Stressful Moments09:55 – How Leaders Shape Law Firm Culture12:05 – Using Checklists to Make Better Business Decisions13:00 – Preparing for Problems Before They Happen14:20 – Why Outcomes Don't Tell the Whole Story16:05 – The Value of Legal Marketing Content17:40 – AI and the Future of Legal Marketing18:25 – What ABA Tech Show Revealed About AI19:35 – Why Law Firms May Build Their Own AI Tools20:35 – Can AI Level the Playing Field for Small Firms?23:35 – Replacing Expensive Reporting Systems with AI26:25 – Why AI Rankings Can Be Misleading28:45 – Tactical Marketing for Law Firm Owners31:10 – Rethinking Leadership as a Law Firm CEO32:20 – Closing Thoughts 

219. Learning Cultures Create Better Business Outcomes   In this episode of The Visibility Factor podcast, Susan sits down with Lori Benton, Senior Vice President of Learning, Culture & Engagement, leadership coach, and former Chief Academic Officer, for a powerful conversation about leadership development, culture strategy, coaching, and the human side of organizational growth.  Lori shares her unique career journey from chemistry teacher and educational leader into corporate leadership and explains how her background in education shaped her philosophy around learning, engagement, psychological safety, and leadership development. Together, Susan and Lori explore why culture and business strategy cannot be separated, how organizations can better support high-potential leaders, and why coaching should be viewed as growth, not punishment.   Key Topics Discussed Why culture strategy and business strategy must align The difference between training and true learning Creating psychological safety for teams Why organizations lose talent when they fail to invest in people The role of coaching in leadership growth Building collaborative cultures instead of competitive ones Learning and culture are inseparable Training is not the same as learning Leadership growth starts with self-awareness Visibility is about impact, not self-promotion Coaching should be developmental, not punitive Great leaders focus on people, not just performance Book Recommendation: Together Is Better by Simon Sinek Connect with Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-benton-8047a22b8/   Connect with Susan M. Barber If this episode resonated with you, share it with another leader navigating change inside their organization. You can also connect with Susan M. Barber for coaching, leadership development, speaking engagements, and visibility strategy work focused on helping leaders become more influential, trusted, and impactful inside organizations. https://susanmbarber.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanbarbercoaching/

Small business ownership is sold like freedom, then quietly turns into  a group project where you're somehow every group member AND the  substitute teacher. In ROI Podcast® episode 508, Law Smith and Eric Readinger sit down with  Andy Clark — creator of The Whole PIE System™ and author of Getting  The Whole PIE — to talk about how to build a business that's actually  profitable, actually impactful, and (radically) actually enjoyable.  Wild concept. Apparently the goal is not to create a company that  prints money while slowly turning your soul into printer toner. Andy works with small business owners stuck in the messy gap between  "owner-operator" and "actual owner." They have customers, employees,  revenue, meetings, and that special founder disease where every problem  mysteriously circles back to their inbox. Andy walks through how to  get out of the weeds, build real systems, install accountability, and  focus on the metrics that actually drive results. The guys dig into why owners say they want better results but resist  the behavior changes needed to get there, why law firms and  professional services partnerships are uniquely chaotic to run, and  why running a business should at least occasionally feel enjoyable  instead of like a hostage situation with recurring invoices. Andy also shares a real case study from an automatic car wash chain  that grew from 10 to 22 locations and tripled revenue by leaning hard  into customer service — in an industry literally designed to avoid  human contact. Yes. Customer service. In car washes. The bar is on  the floor and somehow still full of opportunity. They also cover Moneyball-style metrics, the Golden State Warriors, AI  readiness for small business, owner bottlenecks, Costa Rica, Canadian  geography, hockey trauma, guitar guys at parties, and whether cake or  pie is the superior food and/or business framework. Listen if you're a small business owner, consultant, professional  services leader, agency founder, lawyer, operator, or anyone who has  ever whispered "I need better systems" while opening another tab and  making the problem worse. ROI Podcast® is hosted by Law Smith and Eric Readinger. Business,  comedy, and enough operational truth to make your Google Calendar  blink twice. Topics: small business growth, business coaching, business strategy,  The Whole PIE System, Andy Clark, Getting The Whole PIE, profit impact  enjoyment, business operations, scaling a small business, owner- operator bottleneck, business systems, customer service strategy, AI  for small business, entrepreneur podcast, business podcast.

If you've realized from our last episode that you're burned out, the worst thing you can do next is try to “push through” or just take a vacation. Why? Because burnout isn't the real problem; it's just a signal that your business still depends on you in ways it shouldn't. If you've tried taking time off, but you come back to the same problems, you know you haven't fixed anything. Your team still needs you for decisions, you don't trust things to run without you, and you feel stuck between “keep going” and “something has to change.” The bad news is that this is very hard to fix alone, because you can't see your own blind spots, you're too close to the business, and you usually default back to old patterns. You are stuck in survival mode! The real issue isn't your workload; it's how your business is structured around you. The good news is that once you fix the problem, everything else gets easier. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling break down why burnout is a symptom (not the root problem), what's actually keeping you stuck, the hidden ways you've become the bottleneck, and what needs to change to create real-time freedom for you.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:To defeat burnout for good, you need more than “surface-level band-aids.”You can check in with yourself and get your burnout score: Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment today!Are you ready for your mood, overall health, and well-being to improve? We can help!Melissa's perspective on strategic business coaching and real burnout solutionsGroup coaching allows you to be surrounded by peers who totally understand your challenges.Listen to our proven results and imagine yourself in these scenarios: a 700% increase in time off, doubled profits, and a 55% increase in owner's pay.Why not invest in yourself? You are worth it, and your loved ones are worth it, too!Examples from Dr. Sabrina of a client recovering from burnout with a remarkable transformationStacking the wins with small steps that lead to big changeThe next step is to stop trying to figure this out on your own. Take the Better Business, Better Life Assessment to stop the burnout cycle!Resources:Book a call with Kaitlyn today! We'll walk through what's keeping you stuck, where you're still the bottleneck, and what needs to change to build a sustainably profitable business that doesn't rely on you for everything.Mentioned in this episode:Jumpstart Your Business!You've built a successful business—but it's still running you. Join us to reclaim 10 hours a week and finally step into your role as the owner—register now: https://www.tapthepotential.com/jumpstart.