Last week, I sat in an EO training session with David Bartholomeusz, who talked about something that really struck me.
He shared that he’s not just a facilitator – he’s an entrepreneur who has built & run businesses himself.
Then he mentioned something I’ve heard many times before: many coaches have never actually been entrepreneurs.
That made me stop & think.
Do people know that I’ve been there, done that, & got the t‑shirt?
Or do they see me as “just a coach”?
Because the truth is – I’m not just an EOS Implementer who teaches theory.
I’ve Lived It – The Highs & The Lows
I’ve built five businesses of my own.
I’ve borrowed against credit cards just to make payroll & I’ve experienced the rush of seeing several major international brands sign up to our products & services at once.
I’ve had the heartache of having someone destroy a business from the inside because of a core values mismatch.
And I’ve had the joy of being recognised as one of the top six businesswomen & one of the top 30 women in New Zealand – only for my next business to come crashing down due to Covid.
Still in the Game – Every Single Day
I don’t just remember what it’s like to run a business – I’m still doing it:
These keep me sharp, current, & deeply grounded in reality. So when I facilitate an EOS session, it’s not theory – it’s practical, real-world tools that I know work because I’m living them myself.
And because I believe there’s always more to learn, I even have a tattoo – a Chinese symbol that translates to “sometimes a mentor, always a student”.
Why Share This Now?
David’s session reminded me that sometimes we assume people know our background – but they don’t.
So I wanted to share my story because I know what it’s like to sit in your seat – the highs, the lows, & everything in between.
If you’re looking for someone who has truly been there, done that, & still doing it – then let’s talk about how EOS can give you clarity, traction, & a healthy leadership team.
Email me at debra@businessaction.com.au
This section gives you quick access to 3 links - to articles, blogs, podcasts & stuff that will help you to create a better business & lead a better life.
Unlock predictable revenue growth with AI-driven strategies.
Discover AI productivity secrets for better business growth.
Explore the five ways to improve your mental health online.
In this section, I introduce the team & our Trusted Partners.
I’m thrilled to introduce my new trusted partner, Yash Kapoor – Founder & CEO of Innovate Now.
Yash is an expert in helping businesses work smarter, grow faster, and unlock their full potential through innovative, tailored digital solutions.
He has led major technology initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, boosting productivity, and driving rapid growth.
What makes your approach unique in your industry?
Our approach is rooted in a firm belief in “fit for purpose” technology. We steer clear of recommending unnecessary software costs or overly complex solutions that don’t genuinely add value. We believe your systems and processes should serve you, not the other way around. We act as a true partner, prioritising your business objectives first and then carefully guiding you through the change of implementing new systems. Crucially, we understand that the success of any solution hinges on the people who will use it. Our focus is ensuring that technology enhances their work rather than creating distractions or unnecessary burdens.
Can you share a success story where you made a significant impact for a client?
The Problem
GCo Fuels, a fuel reseller servicing SMEs and large Corporates, was growing, but its back-end systems weren’t keeping up.
The company managed data from three different suppliers but had to issue multiple invoices to each client every month, and everything, from data aggregation, pricing and invoicing to reporting, was handled manually using spreadsheets and email.
Invoicing and reporting alone took up to 10 days per month, but the complexity was the most frustrating part because managing different card providers and pricing models made the process fragile, inefficient, and heavily reliant on one or two key staff.
Managing Director Rod Gabb knew it was time for a change.
Why the Problem Existed
The business had not only outgrown its systems, but each supplier was, and still is, providing transaction data in a different format. GCo Fuels, acting as an intermediary rather than the card issuer, needed to reconcile the transactions.
If this wasn’t difficult enough, reporting was time-consuming and prone to error.
“We were spending up to 10 days a month just invoicing and producing reports,” says Rod. “That’s time the team wasn’t spending on growing the business.”
The Solution
Rod engaged Innovate Now to overhaul the system.
Innovate Now’s team built a custom Zoho CRM solution paired with a transaction processing engine that could automatically ingest data, assign it to the correct customer, and apply dynamic pricing models.
The system consolidates all charges into a single invoice per customer, complete with detailed transaction records. Automated reporting replaced time-intensive manual work, and the system flags negative savings for review.
Why Innovate Now
Rod says the decision to work with Innovate Now was based on trust. “I liked Yash (Kapoor) and felt he understood what I needed. He came out to meet me, and that made all the difference because the other suppliers I had approached did not.”
Although the project was technically challenging, especially handling multiple supplier file formats and high transaction volumes, Innovate Now remained responsive and collaborative throughout.
Life After Implementation
GCo Fuels now completes invoicing in under five hours each month.
The system handles thousands of transactions with ease, and staff are free to focus on analysis and growth. “It’s not just about saving time, it’s about building value in the business,” says Rod. “We’ve gone from spreadsheets to a scalable, cloud-based solution that adds real credibility for the future, including potential investors.”
What challenges do your clients commonly face, and how do you help them overcome these?
Our clients typically grapple with a range of interconnected challenges, including:
Underlying all of this is often a need for a trusted partner who isn’t focused on selling licenses, features, or unnecessary “widgets,” but rather on truly understanding their business and working alongside them to implement changes that deliver tangible improvements through the strategic use of technology. We address these challenges by working collaboratively with our clients to understand their current state, identify the root causes of their issues, and build confidence through a transparent and value-driven approach. Our solutions encompass technology implementation, process re-engineering, and comprehensive adoption strategies, all tailored to their specific needs and designed to deliver measurable results.
What trends are you noticing in your field, and how do you adapt to stay ahead?
We’re observing a significant surge in the appetite for adopting artificial intelligence across all business sectors. Every organisation is keen to explore how AI can be integrated into their processes, and we believe this technology holds immense potential. To stay ahead, we are continuously upskilling our team and researching the latest AI advancements. However, our focus remains on practical application. We work closely with businesses to identify the most relevant AI use cases that address specific challenges and deliver tangible value. Furthermore, we are actively helping businesses understand the crucial governance and risk frameworks they need to establish around their AI adoption. This ensures they can leverage AI effectively while protecting their operations, their people, and their customers. We also emphasise a phased approach, allowing businesses to evolve their understanding and adoption of AI as the technology matures.
What is the most common mistake you see businesses make, and how can they avoid it?
The most common pitfall we witness is businesses buying software based on features and the initial excitement, rather than a clear understanding of their actual requirements and strategic objectives. This often leads to the acquisition of complex, expensive systems that are underutilised or don’t truly address their core needs. We see failure rates of 50-60% in transformation projects, and it’s rarely due to the technology itself. Instead, it stems from a lack of clarity around business objectives, poor user adoption planning, and an unrealistic expectation of immediate, comprehensive change.
To avoid this, we urge businesses to take a step back before committing to any software. They need to thoroughly analyse their existing processes, identify areas for improvement, and clearly define what success looks like for them. We advocate for a single, cohesive workflow and an incremental approach to implementing change. Furthermore, businesses must recognise that their systems and processes are not static. A “one-and-done” approach simply doesn’t work. Continuous innovation and adaptation are crucial for long-term success.
Is your AI lying to you?
Spoiler: they’re not.
Most AI tools are programmed to be nice – to encourage you, agree with you, and make you feel like the smartest person in the room.
It’s like having an over-enthusiastic intern who nods at everything you say.
Feels good… but it kills strategic thinking.
Great strategy isn’t built on yes-men – it’s built on healthy challenge.
That’s why I’ve trained my AI (D2 – my personalised AI) to push back:
The result? Smarter decisions & fewer blind spots.
Copy the exact prompt I use & see how your strategy changes.
Prompt:
“In all your responses, please focus on substance over praise. Skip unnecessary compliments, engage critically with my ideas, question my assumptions, identify my biases, and offer counterpoints when relevant. Don’t shy away from disagreement, and ensure that any agreements you have are grounded in reason and evidence. When writing your response, please ensure you include the following information:
Stop letting AI be your “yes-man” & start letting it be your strategic sparring partner.
Thanks to the Superhuman team for this little gem!
We are here to help you live a better life by creating a better business. We are real-life business owners with years of experience & a strong desire to make a huge difference to the lives of entrepreneurs.
If anything here resonates with you or you would like our help, then please get in contact. Just reply to this newsletter & let us know who you would like to speak to…. Or visit our webpage & contact any of our team from their own pages.
If you know someone who would benefit from reading this, then please forward it onto them. 💖
If you’d like to learn more about any of these tools or would like to find out how I can help you achieve a better life through creating a better business, then book a free Discovery Call with me.
We’ll talk about what you want to get from your business & your life & come up with a plan to do that!
Debra Chantry-Taylor
Certified EOS Implementer | Accredited Family Business Advisor | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Speaker & Workshop Facilitator
