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”.

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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    

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 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

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.

 We are enjoying the beautiful crisp air, the changing aspens, and a full class to start on September 28^th! It’s now time to start focusing on our last class of the year. We are offering one more 1 week systems course starting October 26^th – October 30^th, 2009. This course is for experienced household managers and personal assistants who want to bring the Starkey software into their Principal’s estates. If you are interested in more information, please contact me at your earliest convenience as these seats are filling up quickly!

Sincerely,

Donald Jardine

Chief Operating Officer

Starkey Internationa

303-832-5510 Work

303-994-7407 Cell

djardine@starkeyintl.com

By former Presidential Chef Bill Althoff

Did you know that as a baseline it takes 2 hours to prep, prepare, serve, and clean up one average meal for 4 persons?

Excerpt Original Guide to Private Service Management, Starkey International

 The Super Grain

Perhaps many in the world have never heard of the grain—Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah).  Farmed for thousands of years it is the grain of the pitseed plant grown in the Andes Mountains since the Inca civilization.  It is known as the super grain of today.  You can find it at your local grocers in the rice and cous cous section of the store.  It cooks similar to the way rice does,  it is recommended you do not rinse it.  I like to cook it with chicken broth instead of water. You can season it with a wide variety of spices, I like to add saffron or my favorite is to cook it until it is almost ready and add my favorite sautéed vegetable in the pot. 

So if you haven’t heard of Quinoa, try it.  It pleases all palettes, it is gluten free, meat free and tastes great.

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!

Starkey International has taken years to fine tune our approach to Housekeeping and Housekeeping Standards.  One of the basic requirements of setting up a  housekeeping system is that it must be successful in every environment and it must be to your standard!  The Secret is it must also be time oriented.  To accomplish this, we have developed baselines for each of our ten Standard Categories. Our housekeeping baseline is:

 It takes 4 hours to clean 2,000 square feet to average standards.  A higher rate of Housekeeping Standards requires more time.

FOR EXAMPLE:  a 10,000 square foot home will require 20 hours per week to clean. (10,000 divided by 2,000 equals five, times 4 equals 20 hours) and then add in the variables below to the calculation and your number may be higher or lower.  You do the math!

Variables that will require a change in this standard may be many issues like:

                Family lifestyle, Location (rural, city, beachfront, etc), Climate, Home activities, Number of children and pets, Number of house guests, Allergies and physical health of the family, members, or guests, Age and style of residence, Type and style of furnishings and floors, Style of culinary expectations and amount of cooking required, Amount and style of entertaining, Style and Number of collectibles, Smoking or non-smoking, Organization and clutter of the home, Current construction projects anywhere on property, Cleaning standard of the Principal.

*Excerpts from “The Original Guide to Private Service Management” by Mrs. Mary Louise Starkey