Better Business, Better Life – Issue 172

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Business Tools & Real-life Lessons:

Find of the Month:

This quarter, I have set myself a Rock that is not about business but about life.

💡My personal Rock? To go on 5 dates in Melbourne.

Not all of these will be romantic.

Think of them as adventures with new people – a chance to discover new places, meet interesting humans, & say yes to experiences outside my usual circles.

Here is where I need your help.

Do you know someone? A friend, brother, cousin, or work colleague – aged 45 to 55 who might be up for an adventure?

Send them my way.

Coffee, cocktails, kayaking, comedy… I am open to ideas.

Rocks are about focus, commitment & accountability. If I am going to hold leadership teams to theirs, then I had better make mine public too.

So, Melbourne, let’s see what happens.

BUSINESS TOOLS & REAL-LIFE LESSONS

Are They Rocks or Business As Usual?

Real-life Lessons

A leadership team I worked with recently showed me their ‘Rocks’:

Finalise end-of-year reporting
Hire a new admin
Update CRM
Improve marketing

Sound familiar?

They weren’t Rocks. They were tasks. Business-as-usual. Admin dressed up as a strategy.

And when everything’s important? Nothing gets done.

Or worse – everything gets done badly.

Rocks aren’t just big tasks – they’re your 90-day priorities.

Rocks are meant to move the needle.

They’re the things that, if completed, make the biggest impact on the business right now. Not just urgent things. Not just easy wins.

Once we redefined their Rocks, that same team:

Set just 3-5 priorities each
Tied each Rock to a measurable outcome
Linked Rocks back to the Accountability Chart & Scorecard
Checked in weekly during their L10s to stay on track

The result?

Fewer ‘goals’. More progress.

What makes a Rock a Rock:

It’s achievable in 90 days
It has a single owner
It’s specific & measurable
It directly supports the Vision

If your Rocks are vague, shared, or reactionary – you’re wasting your 90-day sprint.

A Real Example:

I worked with a family-owned food business where the Visionary was frustrated:

“We’ve had the same Rock three quarters in a row & it’s still not done.”

Turned out, it was:

Too big
Owned by two people
Not broken down or tracked

We clarified it, redefined ownership & built it into the Scorecard.

Done in six weeks.

Devil’s Advocate View

“We already set goals – why change?”

Because Rocks aren’t ‘goals’ in the generic sense.

They’re short-term, high-impact commitments that keep you focused on a world of distraction.

They keep you honest. And they keep your team aligned.

Ready to make real traction every quarter?

Let’s get your Rocks right – debra@businessaction.com.au

LINKS TO USEFUL STUFF

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.

Better Business and Life Resources

Article

Tips for Writing Great Rocks

Write smarter rocks to drive better team accountability.

Why EOS Rocks Beat OKRs

Achieve clarity and results by focusing on fewer Rocks.

Listen Here

Life Stuff

Forget About Setting Goals

Prioritise systems over goals to achieve lasting success.

EVENT OF THE MONTH

Let’s be honest – most business owners don’t struggle because they’re not smart enough or driven enough.

They struggle because accountability is hard.

You can’t force it. You can’t fake it. And you definitely can’t fix a culture problem by sending out a memo.

That’s why Adam Harris & I are hosting a full-day workshop in Melbourne that goes deep into building real accountability across your team – using the EOS® tools we know work.

We’ve designed the day to flow as one connected journey – from vision to culture to data to financials. Each session builds on the last.

You’ll walk away with a full roadmap – not just random ideas.

Event Details:

🗓️ Thursday, 23rd October 2025
⏰ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (with breaks & food provided)
📍BlueRock, Podium East, Level 2/525 Collins St, Melbourne

This day is open to our amazing EO Melbourne community – including Members, Accelerators, SLP & KE Forum Members, & Strategic Alliance Partners.

Thinking of bringing a guest? We’d love that too – guests are welcome to join for just $500 + GST.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels & want to finally create a business that delivers results (without burning you out in the process), this day is for you.

I’ll be there. Adam will be there.

Will you?

Hit reply or just reach out to me directly if you’d like me to connect you with the team at EO Melbourne to save your spot.

Let’s build a business that works – not one that works you.

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. 💖

NEED HELP?

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!

Book a FREE Discovery Call here

Debra Chantry-Taylor

Certified EOS Implementer | Accredited Family Business Advisor | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Speaker & Workshop Facilitator