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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    

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!

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

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

Halloween is just around the corner, the weather is cooling down, and Starkey International is getting prepared for the 2010 course schedule. We are pleased to announce that we will be offering an additional 4 week course starting January 4^th, 2010. Please sign up quickly as interest has been high by potential students! Seats are filling up fast.

Donald Jardine

Chief Operating Officer

2010 Schedule of Course Offerings

(All Courses offered in Denver, Colorado unless specified)

Certified Household Management Program

Eight -Week

January 11 – March 5, 2010 (Class 109)

April 26 – June 18, 2010 (Class 111)

August 9 – October 1,  2010 (Class 113)

Certified Manager’s Program

Four –Week

January 4 – January 29, 2010 (Class 108)

March 22 – April 16, 2010 (Class 110)

July 5 – July 30, 2010 (Class 112)

October 11 – November 5, 2010 (Class 114)

October 18 – November 12, 2010 (Washington, DC) (Class 115)

Restoring the Art

Continuing Education Conference

Denver, CO

March 18-20, 2010

Certified Service Management System

One-Week

January 4 – 8, 2010

January 11 – 15, 2010

March 8 – 12, 2010 (Las Vegas)

March 22 - 26, 2010

April 26 - 30, 2010

June 21 - 25, 2010 (New York City)

July 5 – 9, 2010

August 9 – 13, 2010 (Denver)

August 9 – 13, 2010 (Los Angeles)

October 11 – 15, 2010

October 18 - 22, 2010 (Washington, DC)

This new economy has created many new challenges for all people – businesses, working people, and students alike.  Many of the traditional lending sources have limited access to funding once easily obtained.  Sallie Mae Financial, a traditional education lending source, cut 3,000 Private Career Schools from their programs in the  Spring 2009.  The majority of which were in good standing but had a smaller population than the larger state or community colleges.

Starkey International Institute has taken the lead and has been seeking alternate sources of financing  for students desiring to attend one of our premier courses in Certified Household Management.   Keep in mind that home equity loans, personal lines of credit and your stock portfolio are still excellent cash resources already at your disposal.   

In addition, Starkey has setup a relationship with American General Financial Services in Denver, Colorado for those who would qualify for a personal loan.    A down payment will be required and the interest rate starts at 17%.   You would apply directly with the lender and they can send your tuition funds directly to Starkey International.

Additionally, it used to be that only persons who have an employer sponsor, a family member or an association with a Credit Union could seek membership with a credit union.  This is no longer the case.  Many credit unions across the country are now allowing membership with a small contribution (many times $5) to a sponsored organization which is deposited into a savings account you own.  You may apply online for loans at very reasonable interest rates – some as low as 10%.  If approved you will need to visit the credit union to sign signature cards and receive your loan funds to deliver to Starkey International.

These are just a few of the additional resources that Starkey has been able to identify for potential students to access.  As we discover other resources we will be sure to notify you.  If you find a resource we would love hearing from you too. 

As our world and economy changes, your education is more important than ever.  We at Starkey International look forward to speaking with you soon.