Excerpt from “The Art of Service” by Paola Bettinelli of The Work Style Magazine

Read the entire article here

Mary Louise Starkey defines a butler as “a professional who is trained in the overall management of a private home”. There have always been excellent career prospects for one who chooses this profession, and this trend continues to the present. The number of professional butlers worldwide has increased steadily over the past 25 years. You can find butlers in multi-million dollar homes in every country in the world. Newton Cross stresses that “with the modern day butler the emphasis is moving to total lifestyle management, instead of the traditional role…multitasking is the keyword”. Usually, continues Mr. Cross, “the younger, recently qualified butlers often find work in hotels, guest houses and game lodges where there is still an element of supervision and guidance. They are also in huge demand on luxury yachts, cruise liners and trains. The older more experienced is better suited for the domestic household where the responsibilities and pressure can be huge“. Therefore, a butler has many options in his or her career path. Due to today’s economy, Johnson specifies that “we are seeing an increase in activity in the field and our inclination is the demand will continue to expand. Luxury resorts are perhaps the most likely to be hiring at present though we are seeing an increase in private estate owners seeking staff for their homes”. Regarding the salary, it varies between countries depending on a butler’s education background and flexibility. Mr. Cross from South Africa says that “entry level is 750 to 1100 euros per month”. For Europe, Mr. Wennekes says that “a butler can earn anywhere from 40.000 to 120.000 euros a year, plus benefits”. While in Australia, Mark Johnson states that ”an entry level butler, in a private home, can expect to begin around 31.000 euros… with experience and working for an employer with multiple homes, it is not uncommon for a butler to earn in excess of 80.000 euros and much much more”. In the USA, Ms. Starkey says that for a Certifed Household Manager “salaries are currently between 42.000 and 105.000 euros per year with benefits, plus housing”.

Visit The Work Style Magazine at http://www.theworkstylemagazine.com

See the BellaCura Newsletter Here

The Wall Street Journal tells us that 60% of the people on our planet today are of the Baby Boomer generation.  We Baby Boomers, yes I am one of them, are well traveled, expect a good work ethic and superior skills, and appreciate mutual respect in all relationships, especially in service!  Furthermore, our service expectations are much higher than our parents.  We care about the style of environment we are in, where our food is grown, work to keep our mind and body healthy, like our privacy, and yes, we scrutinize our health care.  We consider it our right; we have worked hard to get where we are.

I have spent 30 years in the world of Private Service, educating and placing our Starkey Certified Household Managers, Personal Assistants, and Butlers in private homes on a world stage. I have learned over and over again that “Service is the Art of Meeting a Specific Expectation”.  However, a perspective not often considered is if service is to be successful, it requires both a giver and a receiver.  I can work diligently to provide a service to you, but if what I am giving is not what you want, service will not take place.   

Here are my tips on how to get what you want in service:

·         First on the list is Learn to ask for help. Sometimes we believe we are super human. Maybe it’s because we are self made and have created the most powerful nation in the world. However, we are not super human, and frankly, our quality of life will greatly improve when learn to ask for help!  

·         Know exactly what you need and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Today’s service providers know they must think outside of the box to customize service to meet unique needs.

·         What if you do not know what you want?  The number of choices available today has quadrupled from what our parents had to work with. Don’t pass up the opportunity to say to a service provider, “Be my person of possibilities. Let’s talk about what is achievable here!” 

·         Say thank you, and say it often.  Service providers serve people, not companies.  The most appreciated response to a deed well done is a simple but heart-felt, thank you!  You can also add the occasional $10 spot while you are at it. Service providers are generally not yet appropriately compensated. Remember, Service is first and foremost, a relationship! 

Should you have other questions about Service as an Expertise, don’t hesitate to contact me, www.starkeyintl.com

Mary Louise Starkey

Starkey International Institute

First Lady of Service

See the BellaCura Newsletter Here    

Coming up for air and admiring the new class we have starting today. All our of 1 week and 4 week members are bright, responsible and have a combined field experience of 7 ½ years in the Private Service Industry. We are truly lucky to have them on board. The 8 week class for those folks out there with 5 or less years of experience is starting on April 5^th! If you are interested in attending this course, it is NOT too late to submit an application J

Warmly,

Ms. Kristin Parks

January flew by like it was a dream. Mr. Jardine and myself have been on the phone non-stop since the beginning of the year. Now that I have a chance to come up for air, I wanted to remind the rest of you out there that we have a 1 week Systems Course and a 4 week Manager’s course being offered in March. THAT IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! These courses are designed to expand on skill sets that are already established. So, if you have been in the Private Service Industry for 5 years or more and have been following Starkey International, wanting to know our systems….NOW is the time to register!

Please contact Donald Jardine or myself with any questions you may have.  

Mr. Donald Jardine

Chief Operating Officer

Admissions Director

303-832-5510 x120

cell 303-994-7407

djardine@starkeyintl.com

Ms. Kristin Parks

Private Service Event Manager

Admissions Services

303-832-5510 x106

kparks@starkeyintl.com

We’ve recently started a discussion of the week with Class 109 and we would like to invite you to join the discussion!

Question:

Are morals and ethics societal based (rooted in society)?  Are values based on personal or cultural/societal influences?

Class 109 Replies:

• It’s my opinion that morals, ethics, and values are all personally based.  How you are raised, trained or influenced.  Who were or are your mentors.  How you choose to live your life and your personal code of conduct.  That is what makes you who you are.  I don’t believe the one should let society dictate who you are.  Just sayin’…….

• Yes ethics, morals and values shape us into who we are but some of these we freely adopt as our standards but still there are other rules that society imposes upon us based on what’s wrong or right. Although we have a free will to choose, we’ll be judged accordingly.

• I think that some of this is is inherent in our nature but it is the nurture side that influences us personally with morals, ethics, and values. The choices that we make in life, our nuclear family influences, etc. Society can influence but it is your inner strength of character that determines what you will choose to believe in and act upon.

Leave your response by commenting on this post.

Admissions is buzzing with all the new students we have in our mansion this season. We couldn’t be more excited with all this new energy! We are already starting to process applications for our upcoming March 1 & 4 week classes, and our April 8 week class. Remember! The resources here at Starkey International have already proven to be invaluable to all career changing students J Including, but not limited to: our new Chief Operating Officer who just semi – retired from 30 years in the Private Service Industry, our detailed class materials that are included in the admission’s price, and also our friendly staff who would bend-over-backwards to help you out J We look forward to getting to know each and every one of our potential Starkey Graduates in 2010!

Don’t forget to register for Restoring The Art 2010! This year promises to be educational and fun! You can Click Here to find out more information.

Also, be sure to check out our StarkeyHQ Software Demo, or purchase your copy here.

Sincerely,

Mr. Donald Jardine and Ms. Kristin Parks

Our 1^st class of the year is starting today J We have a full house again, and life is pumping throughout the mansion after the holidays. It seems that with our ever-changing economy, our class schedule has taken under a face-lift of its own! We are offering more classes in more locations for 2010 than ever before! If you have been following the Starkey Blog and are wondering if we will be having classes in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible! We would love to be of assistance. You can also check out our 2010 Schedule of Course Offerings on our website (http://www.starkeyintl.com/class_schedule.html)

Warmly,

Donald Jardine

Chief Operating Officer

Starkey International

&

Ms. Kristin Parks

Private Service Event Manager

Admissions Assistant

Starkey International

Our Admissions team is super busy this season with new applications on our desk every day. We are excited, busy, and hopeful for all these potential students! We certainly have seem to have some top-notch applicants coming through our ‘doors’! Our next set of classes start in January 2010.  Our 8 week Management Program starts here in Denver on January 11, 2010. That class is almost full already! Our 4 week Managers program starts January 4^th, 2010 here in Denver as well. We have an applicant coming half-way across the world for this course. Then we have two 1 week Systems courses being offered on either January 4^th or January 11^th, 2010. These courses offer an overview of our software systems and are designed for the experienced Private Service Professional. Can’t wait to get this New Year started off with a bang!

Dear Starkey Star’s, Friends, and Employers;
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Greetings, just a short note to share our amazing news!  We have had a great fall and finally, we are about as busy as we can be.  Employers have come back and now ready to hire, and our January classes, both 4 and 8 week, starting January 4 and January 11, 2010 happily are almost filled.  Mr. Donald Jardine (30 year veteran Estate Manager joined us in July) and along with our Kristin Parks, have continued to generate new energy and life.  Like all of us, it has been a difficult and uncertain year, and I am relieved to experience Starkey International again, as we have for the last 30 years.
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I know I have an angel on my shoulder as The Costco Connection article came out in August reaching over 8 million readers, many of whom are just right for the Private Service Profession.  You know Starkey recruits quick, bright, educated, hands-on and service smart professionals who are certified in Household Management, have healthy self esteems, and who recognize their value.  Thank you Costco!�
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We completed our 4-week Certified Managers Course in Washington, DC in October and our 8-week Certified Household Management Course in Colorado this last Friday.  The legendary Mr. Ted Turner attended one of our formal dinners.  A lovely gentleman, I took great delight in thanking him for Turner Classic Movies, my late night TV watching channel.  From the Costco Connection article, we also attracted my all time favorite:  NBC’s Today Show!  They came to learn about Starkey and filmed another of our formal dinners.  The Today Show piece will run this Wednesday, November 25, in the 7:00am hour, MST; we would love your comments.�
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The U.S. Military on November 3rd, 2009,  elected yet another Starkey Graduate, MSgt Clayton Cooper, Air Force Enlisted Aide, as Armed Forces Enlisted Aide of the year! Congratulations MSgt Cooper!�
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Lastly, we take pride in thinking out of the box to continue to meet Private Service needs, and our box is getting bigger!  We are seeking to hire Graduates in the 2010 to support our growth.  If you are an experienced, and Starkey Certified Graduate, and would consider giving back to the profession through education on a world stage, call us and continue the Starkey tradition; Service as an Expertise! 

The holiday season is upon us and Starkey is preparing for the party season. Starkey Mansion is fervently making plans for a Holiday Open House coming in December. The date is being finalized and will be posted just as soon as the details are worked out. If you are interested in our Holiday Open House, please don’t hesitate to contact me J

Also…RESTORING THE ART annual conference is just around the corner. How time flies when we are working diligently! Starkey International is also working overtime to get all the details finalized. We are really excited about our main event this year! It promises to ‘outshine’ all the RTA’s before it. Again, if you are interested in more details for RTA, please keep checking back to this website or you can contact me directly at the number or email listed below.

Have a great Holiday Season!

Ms. Kristin Parks

Private Service Event Manager

Admissions Assistant

(303)832-5510

kparks@starkeyintl.com