Working The System (Interview: Author Sam Carpenter) & Get FREE Copy of WTS

On 02.22.10, In Interviews, Process Automation, by David Walsh
3/15 Update: Sam Carpenter has graciously extended his free book offer as a Muselife exclusive. Go get your free copy of Work The System! Expires on 3/31.

Sam Carpenter (@workthesystem / Blog) is a consummate entrepreneur, business owner, and author of Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less, winner of the prestigious Best Non-Fiction of 2009 award at the New York Book Festival. As a huge fan of The E-Myth by Michael Gerber, discovering Sam’s story and process-driven approach to business was a godsend.

We took a trip to meet Sam earlier this month. In addition to inviting us into his home in beautiful Bend, Oregon, he took the time to walk us through Centratel , the highest quality answering service in the United States. After only a short time there, it’s clear why. There is positively zero disparity between the words of his book and the person he is, or the business he’s built. It supports the lifestyle he demands and deserves, and is built on sound principles that you can absolutely replicate for the venture that will fuel your lifestyle.

Before you hit play on these videos, let me be blunt: If you…

  • have to show up somewhere to earn your income
  • consider yourself invaluable or irreplaceable (and view that as a good thing)
  • rely on people instead of systems
  • have little or no cashflow
  • are working day and night to invent the next big thing
  • think service-based businesses can’t be automated and provide passive income

…then you need to listen with keen ear and open mind to this interview series.

Part 1: The Systems Mindset

Part 2: An Eye for Opportunity

Part 3: The Fundamentals

Get your FREE copy of Work The System

Sam Carpenter has generously extended a free book offer to everyone reading Muselife. To immediately receive your full PDF copy of Work The System, simply send an email to pdf@workthesystem.com with the word muselife in the subject line. The actual email can be blank. You’ll receive an auto-response with the PDF attached. Simple!

This offer will expire on March 31st, 2010 so get your copy while you can!

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David Walsh

David Walsh is the co-founder of Dangerous Ambition, a venture firm & startup incubator - and Arsenal, a process design consultancy. He's the author of Source Control, a book on systematic outsourcing, and creator of Muselife.com - a community blog focused on creating passive income streams and location independence. He's currently calling Bangkok his home.

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  • Going to have to read this book! Thanks david
  • Act now to get a free pdf copy of Work the System. If your committed to building process into your business, it is the book for you.
  • I run two businesses, PSDCutups.com and BlueSailCreative.com. They are both internet companies.

    The first is an automated company that works with customers to help convert their PSDs to HTML / CMS.

    The second is a more boutique agency that works with companies to build their websites from a more custom level.

    I'd love tips on how to automate the systems on these types of companies as they require a ton of grey area questions to be answered, etc.

    I have been struggling with this for a while....and would love some 1 on 1 advice to jumpstart my processes.
  • Video 2 is brilliant! Thanks for interviewing Sam you guys, have ordered my copy of the book and eagerly awaiting it.

    You must have been in your element being able to talk to a systems guru!
  • Dan
    Great vids and theory - very much appreciated! Do you have any opinions about specific brick and mortar business' that typically far under-perform due to a lack of systems mgt (laundry-mat, corner store, etc)? Sam, any specific industries you look to invest?

    Are you guys still going to do the book giveaway? Loved e-myth, so I'm REALLY excited to read Sam's work.
  • Hey David,

    Just curious, have you read Linchpin, Seth Godin's new book? If so, how do you balance the two philosophies?

    Seth says on page 11, "If you build a business filled with rules and procedures that are designed to allow you to hire cheap people, you will have to produce a product without humanity or personalization or connection."

    I believe there can be some balance between the two, but in my opinion it's a fine line.

    What do you think?


  • brdtrpp
    Great Information guys. Anyone who needs more information should read the book, It gives you everything you need. I like the fact that he said "you don't need to love the business or have a sexy one" I was all caught up in trying to be the most creative and most sleek designed product now I realize I just need to be an systems-minded person. Thanks A lot guys.
  • Great video guys! Can't wait to read Sam's book. Keep up the good work!
  • Great videos! Thanks for taking the time to record and post these.

    I've been putting off implementing systems in my business for as long as possible. Because of this post, I'm committing to start implementing systems in my business this week.

    Thanks Again,
    Wayne
  • I like the video idea, and a lot of good information. Let me know when the ebook is available
    thanks
  • liammcivormartin
    Ok, this is pretty freakin awesome! Love not only the quality but the length of content you put out. You could have easily turned that into a three part series (thank god you didn't). Have any of you taken a look at the work of Brunu Latour? He goes a step further with understanding systems by describing the difference between actors and networks.

    Very simply when a process/system works he defines it as an actor, a system of parts which simply works. When a process/system breaks it can be seen as a network, i.e. the machine/company is broken down into smaller parts/people. Sociology has been working on this stuff forever, I'd highly suggest you take a look at Latour if you want to take the next step in your process development.

    P.S. When will free copies of the book be available? I've put you on my twitter but I don't want to miss my chance.
  • Great post guys...i picked up sam's book a couple of posts ago after he was mentioned

    Really really good book, have been struggling with systems for a while and have been playing with lean six sigma principles but Sam's book offers practical real world advice that just makes sense!

    keep up the good work, always look forward to new posts
  • Awesome information. I've been putting these models to work in my business over the past few months. As weight from my shoulders lifts, and the fun and opportunity grows.

    Also- Thanks for taking the time to create video posts. It's nice to get a little personality with it all.
  • Rob
    No surprise that this is nothing but invaluable content for building a life of calm, and a path for business success. Awesome internal look at Sam and his thoughts, thanks fellas, as always. I took away plenty to be applied and refreshed on. Good luck on your travels!
  • Couldnt agree more, Rob - excellent interview.
  • did I miss the Ebook giveaway from Sam's Book? I'd love to read more about his thoughts on systems. Great work guys, love all the awesome advice! I am a young professional (employee) but am planning some entrepreneurial endeavors (hopefully implemented in the near future) to make time for the things I really love (like racing bicycles).
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