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    

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

We here at Starkey are grateful for wonderful friendships we have with our students and clients. We are truly lucky to be a part of your lives! Starkey is excited to dive into the new year to continue to nurture new and existing relationships. Our next round of classes start on January 4^th, 2010 and January 11^th, 2010. We have a large variety of classes being offered…a little something for every experience level. If you are a Starkey Graduate, Client, or potential student, please check out our 2010 schedule. It promises to be a fruitful year!

Donald Jardine

Chief Operating Officer

Starkey International

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 — Starkey International Institute of Household Management has been selected for the 2009 Denver Award in the Vocational Schools category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@us-ca.org
URL: http://www.us-ca.org

5 weeks to go! The countdown has begun and we are thrilled, energized, and optimistic about the future here at Starkey International Institute. Our classes our filling up quickly, both in Denver and Washington DC. If you have ever thought about starting a new career as a Certified Household Manager, there is no better time than right now to come on board! We have clients who are actively searching our Starkey Graduate database to choose the right graduate for their home! Our clients choose us because Starkey International Institute delivers ‘service as an expertise’.

Donald Jardine

Starkey International Institute

Chief Operating Officer

Julie and Julia

I recently went to the newly released movie featuring the life of Julia Child, Julie & Julia!  For those of us who have ever had a dream, and struggled many years to achieve it, it was downright inspirational!  I loved it.  It’s important not to take one’s self too seriously, but after 30 years in Private Service and now achieving age 60, it’s hard not to take some time on the subject.  What I saw in the movie was an ambitious young woman, seeking to find her gift in life.  Ultimately she found her calling writing about cooking with the great and very humorous Julia Child as her muse.   I decided right then and there that while I have written many texts and manuals in the field of my passion, Household Management and Service, I have not often written from my heart.  To that end, I am beginning today to do so.  I hope you like what you read, and will respond if you feel inspired to do so!

Recently, our educator, Mr. Althoff and I provided a private training for a very special and well-respected, old guard hotel.  The subject at hand was ”The giving and receiving of service”.  I have traveled the world watching for and in search of “true service.”  It is a subject upon which I have created a successful career.  In the end, Household Management is all about service.  One’s technical skills, while important, become very low on the scale of priorities without real and genuine service at the helm. 

This training included several members of the hotel staff, both front line associates and management.  The discussion centered on serving their new, mostly younger, guests.   I made the statement that most of us in the U.S. under the age of 65 do not really understand how to receive service, most particularly those of us who are in the service industry.  We all have been raised with a very intense “hard work ethic,” and when it is uncomfortable or unfamiliar, we prefer to just do it ourselves! 

My statement about receiving service, while interesting to some, went right over the heads of most in the room until the Operations Manager of the property stopped the conversation and shared the following story:  I recently was at an upscale golf club.  My caddy kept wiping off my clubs, deciding which one I needed, and fetching and washing my golf ball.  Annoyed, I finally stopped him and said, “Please, I can really do this myself!”  My caddy, equally frustrated, said, “It’s my job to help you, let me take care of you!”  This very smart manager, at that moment, really got it!  “This is what you are talking about,” he said with total amazement emanating brightly from his face.   “How can we expect our new guests to appropriately receive when we as providers do not know how it is done?”  There was total silence in the room.  I could have kissed him with appreciation.  He gets my gold Starkey Star for the year! 

My intimate understanding of service is that those who come to give service in their life, need to also learn how to receive it, as much as those who receive service, typically have yet to also learn how to give.  And finally, when genuine service does really happen, giving and receiving at the same time, in the same moment, an alchemical flash throughout time occurs.  It is a moment in our life that few forget.  It is why we have something that it is so ill understood, SERVICE!

Classy Class

Starkey International teaches

service with style

By Doug McPherson

The Costco Connection

Published August 2009

 Click here to see this article in it’s original format

Click here to download this article as a PDF

Thank you to all of our Veterans! Many of you shared the Military Stars Event at the Embassy Suites Hotel on July 30^th, 2009 with Starkey International Institute. Ms. Stimson, Mr. Althoff, and myself hope you enjoyed the Employer Panel and stopping by the Starkey booth. Good luck on your civilian workforce transition! If I can be of any assistance, please contact me at your convenience on my cell phone 303-994-7407. I look forward to the opportunity to be of service.

Mr. Donald Jardine
Chief Operating Officer
Starkey International Institute
djardine@starkeyintl.com

We are excited about our new program that we are offering at Starkey International.  We have just been approved for our Private Service Wine Sommelier Certification (level 1).  This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the essential and fundamental aspects of wine knowledge, based on the five major wine regions of France.  The students will examine traditional wine practices and distinguish between those that are more contemporary.  Through thoughtful exploration and awareness  of basic practices, terminology and evaluation, this introductory course will provide a sound basis for the wine novice as well as a review for those with prior wine knowledge.  This 35 hour course will include the following:

·         Introduction to fermentation and distillation

·         Mixology and Bar basics

·         Introduction to wine in history and various cultures

·         Wines today

·         Old World wines and New World wines

·         Wine cellaring and Storage

·         Food and Wine Pairing

·         Glass ware and various wine tools

·         Exploration of the five major wine regions of France and comparison of the New World counterparts

·         Will participate in serving a formal dinner (12) including the planning, prep, and mirrored service.

Each class will include lecture, PowerPoint and visual learning as well as hands on tasting.  You can take this course as part of your eight-week curriculum or you can take this course as a stand alone course.

Please call our Admissions department about more details.