Starkey’s Certification Programs and Specialized Training

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Starkey’s Primary Household Management Certification Courses include:

Household Management Program

1. Starkey’s traditional Household Management Program for entry-level Household Managers is a 360-hour, eight-week course that focuses on the psychology and management of private homes. Starkey’s Service Management System is taught and sets the stage for an overall understanding of Private Service. This course covers in-depth Household Management, Service Leadership, the Relationship of Sevice, personality characteristics, service style, service terminology, and the technical and resource skills in 10 category areas including Administrative Management of Service, Private Service Culinary, Clothing and Valet, Housekeeping, Event Planning and Entertaining. The Certified Private Service Wine & Sommelier Course is taught along with Mixology. Cigars,Transportation and Travel and other Concierges Guest services; Personal Service as it applies to Elders, Children, and Pets, and knowledge of Luxury Products, Security Services, Property and Grounds, Maintenance, and Smart Home Care training are all conducted at our 13,000 sq. ft. private estate. Household Management program is also appropriate for Personal Assistants working in private homes.

 

 

Starkey’s Estate Managers’ Program

2 .Starkey’s Estate Managers’ Program is the above course accelerated to be a 255 hour, four-week course for those persons experienced in service including Estate Managers, Hotel Managers, Food and Beverage Managers and Culinary Chefs. Starkey’s Service Management System, Service Terminology & Management Tools, and HQ Software are taught. The student learns the mind and leadership required to succeed in Private Service Management including the essential Management Tools. It teaches how to identify Service Expectations, put them into a customized system and how to deliver those expectations. Each student also identifies their own unique style of Service in our Relationship of Service Course. A series of evaluators teach students to understand the correct style of service or hospitality position for them.  Our Private Service HR course is taught, working with Family Offices, and the Management of Multiple Homes and an in-depth course on Entertaining, Wine Celler Management, overall Vendor Management and working with Private Estate Security. There is no culinary instruction provided in this accelerated course. Colleges would position this course at the Master’s level.

Service Management “Systems” Program

3. Starkey’s Service Management “Systems” Program presents our patented Service Management System, our capstone Household Management tools and software. It is a 40-hour, five-day course taught at the Starkey Institute for Starkey Graduates who are working in Private Service. It is considered continuing education for our Graduates as it brings the newest management tools available to their skill set.  Our process for customizing an overall Service Management Plan, Starkey’s Service Language for identifying Service Expectations, and for delivering a very high Standard of Service are all detailed in this course. It includes all of Starkey’s Management Tools for Private Service, Standards Matrix, Technical Skills Qualifier, Day in the Life, Ten Service Standard Categories, Service Matrix and more. The System, part of the above courses, is also taught with our HQ Service Management Software as a Correspondence Course.

Private Education and On-Site Training Programs for Employers

The Private Education and On-Site Training Programs are customized programs that consist of Starkey’s patented Systems Course to design a customized Service Management Plan.  We teach the following programs in your home:

• Nanny Management Program
• Setting up and training your Housekeepers in Housekeeping, Clothing Care, Etiquette and Protocol for Private Homes.
• Entertainment and Event Planning (The Ballet of Service and the Formal Dinner)
• Private Service Culinary Courses

Our specialized On-Site Training correctly positions the curriculum and chooses the right instructor to maximize the results for each employer. These programs are customized for Employed Staff and provided On-Site as requested.

All courses are customized to the Family, Location, Size of Home, number of Staff to be trained and the Environment.

Starkey's On-Site Individual Module Programs for Homes & Yachts

 The following are short–term programs provided as On-Site at Clients’ homes or at Starkey International.  They are specific to the Starkey Ten-Standards categories.  Individual Standards Modules can be taken to receive Course Completions. Full Programs must be completed to receive Certification in each of the Specialized Focus Educational Offerings.

1. Starkey’s Service Management “Systems” and HQ Software Correspondence Program: This course is the patented Service Management System taught in a Correspondence Course format, using Starkey Software. Starkey provides a Starkey veteran instructor to help the student complete the course 45 days
2. The Relationship of Service and Starkey Service Management System Training: This program is transformational in style as it helps each student to learn their specific style of service, their personal reasons for choosing service, the specific technical talents they bring to the table and their natural Service Style for choosing the right position using a variety of characteristic evaluations. It is for students entering or currently working as Household Managers, Butlers, Housekeepers, Nannies and other positions in Private Homes, Hotels, Private Clubs, Concierges Services and Resorts. 3 Days
3. Administrative Skills for Private Service Training: This course teaches Administrative abilities including: adapting to and using Private Service Terminology and Titles, using the Starkey System for identifying detailed Concierge Service Expectations of their Principals, HR abilities including Interviewing, Hiring and Dismissing Staff and Vendors, Managing Staff and the particulars of Private Service Vendors and Administratively setting up the Business of Service. 5 Days
4. Entertainment for Private Service Training: This course introduces the student to entertaining in a private home or Yacht to include: Personal Presentation, Speech and Service Attitudes, International Guest Protocols and Etiquette, Personal Graces, Professional Boundaries, Entertainment Planning, Formal and Informal Table Service and Settings, Wine and Champagne Service, Event Planning, and other technical skills. Designed for Private Household, Yacht, Club Butler Duties or a hands-on Butler position. 5 Days
5. Personal Care for Private Service Training: This course provides non-medical training to include Senior Care Child Care, Guest Care,  and Pet Care, to include Protocols and Etiquette, Professional Boundaries, Light Housekeeping and Amenities, Meal Planning and Nutrition and Concierges Services including Doctor Appointments, Food Shopping, Errands and Transportation. There is no medical training provided. 4 Days
6. Fine Housekeeping  or Yacht for Private Service Training: Etiquette and Service Training to include Old Guard Housekeeping, Household Organization, Products/Tools, and Hands-on Skills Training to include setting up a customized Housekeeping Plan, Principal Zoning and Task Sheets. 5 Days
7. Clothing and Valet Care for Private Service Training: This course includes training for proper Clothing Care, Closet Organization, Laundry and Ironing, Personal Shopping and recognition of Luxury Products, Care of fine Accessories, spot removal, fine washables, reading labels, basic sewing and dry cleaning management.  3 Days
8. Transportation and Travel for Private Service Training:  Chauffeur etiquette, knowledge of Private Jets and Yachts, Travel etiquette, packing and unpacking, Concierges for Private Cars and Recognition of fine autos.  3 Days
   9.  Private Service Culinary Level I: Management of Culinary staff is often a mystery to the Household Manager and the Principal.  This course will give you the tools you need to keep the kitchen organized, select menus, organize their Day in the Life and have the insight to keep your Culinary Staff working at the top of their abilities.  Learn to identify the skills, personalities and Systematic tools required to manage your Private Chef.10. Private Sommelier: An overview and guided tasting of both Old and New World Wines.  It includes aperitifs, digestifs, cordials, and cocktails.  Included in the program is Wine Cellar Management and buying wines for the Private Home.

   11. Property and Grounds Management for Private Service Training: This course provides the overall organization and management techniques required to manage staff and vendors related to the Property and Grounds in Private Service. It includes detailed bids, purchasing, language, accounting and accountability, customizing Zoning, daily/weekly and seasonal time- oriented Task Sheets, Daily Graces and care/storage of work tools. 5 Days

   12. Maintenance for Private Service Training: This course provides training in the physical care of the environment to include recruiting and hiring appropriate vendors for maintenance needs. This course will also train you about necessary Smart Home Technology needs, mechanical systems, terminology, Task Sheets and more. 5 Days

   13. Safety and Protection for Private Service Training: This training is specifically designed to develop a core knowledge concerning the Safety and Protection needs for the family from Personal protection to protecting the assets. This training will include assessing risks and systems needed. Safety and protection plans to include authority of property, visitor records, training for staff, access to the home and security outside of the home and working with a professional security company in developing an overall Safety and Protection Plan. 5 Days

Estate Manager Program

Estate Manager Certification  is the above course accelerated to be a 255 hour, four-week course for those persons experienced in service including Estate Managers, Hotel Managers, Food and Beverage Managers and Culinary Chefs. Starkey’s Service Management System, Service Terminology & Management Tools, and HQ Software are taught. The student learns the mind and leadership required to succeed in Private Service Management including the essential Management Tools. It teaches how to identify Service Expectations, put them into a customized system and how to deliver those expectations. Each student also identifies their own unique style of Service in our Relationship of Service Course. A series of evaluators teach students to understand the correct style of service or hospitality position for them.  Our Private Service HR course is taught, working with Family Offices, and the Management of Multiple Homes and an in-depth course on Entertaining, Wine Cellar Management, overall Vendor Management and working with Private Estate Security. There is no culinary instruction provided in this accelerated course. Colleges would position this course at the Master’s level.

Estate Manager Certification Graduate will have:

• Service Estate Management Certification.
• StarkeyHQ™ Software and Service Management Publications.
• World sophistication in the identification of Luxury Products and resources.
• Knowledge of Luxury Service Etiquette and Protocols.
• The technical knowledge of Entertainment, Wine, Event Planning and Wine Cellar management.
• The Ability to identify, customize and set up a comprehensive Service Management Plan.
• The ability to manage Smart Home Technology.
• The ability to develop Contractor and Vendor Resources and manage such contractors and vendors.
• Professional Profiling for your Service Career Goals.
• The knowledge of Administrative Skills for Private Service.
• The ability to integrate Security and Protection for Private Service and integrate security plans with the overall Service Plan.
• The expertise to lead and nurture multiple household staff personnel utilizing Human Resources procedures that have become essential in large private homes.
• The ability to provide a polished international presentation and have presence as a Leader.

The Certified Estate Manager Program comprises 255 curriculum hours and is divided into five areas:

1. Estate Manager Certification: The Relationship of Service, Service Etiquette and Professional Profiling of your Service Goals.

Students taking theEstate Manager Certification learn to identify why they have “Chosen Service”. Starkey’s Personal Statement Exercise provides a transformational experience in self-discovery, individual Service Styles and Personal Career Goals through the understanding of self! It also includes Service Etiquette, Personal Graces, Service Attitudes and Protocol.

• Overview and Defining the Relationship of Service.
• Existing Organizational Structure.
• Private Service Terminology.
• Service Philosophy and Attitudes.
• Self-Assessment in the Relationship of Service.
• Individual Myers Briggs, Firo-B and Conflict Resolution Styles are identified.
• Choosing Service, Service Styles and cultures.
• Developing your Employment Profile.
• Family Tree Dynamics.
• Service Code of Ethics.
• Image and Personal Presentation.
• Coaching for Private Service Interviewing.
• Privacy and Professional Boundaries.
• Roles and Perspectives.
• Employability Critiques.
• Personality Aspects of a Service Heart.

2. Estate Manager Certification: Starkey Service Management System.

Our unique Service Management System instructs how to identify service expectations and to customize a service delivery plan to deliver those expectations. This patented Facilities Management tool is a highly sophisticated process for identifying, organizing and prioritizing household staff duties and service expectations. Unique to the service profession, it provides a Management Foundation for Private Service. It includes Terminology, Zones, Housekeeping, Property and Grounds, Maintenance and Security Task Sheets. It synthesizes service delivery hours, position descriptions and provides software for customizing a service delivery plan.

The Starkey Service Management System includes:

• Introduction to Service Management and Management Tools.
• Identifying Vision and Service Goals.
• Employers Family Tree and Traditions.
• Household Favorites and Preferences.
• Employer’s Service Standards and Standards Matrix.
• Establishing the Environment.
• Physical Structure and Service Flow.
• Housekeeping and Maintenance Task Sheets.
• Technical Skills Qualifier and Matrix.
• Day in the Life™ Schedules and Position Descriptions.

Service Standards include:

• Administration, Calendars, Inventory.
• Housekeeping Schedules.
• Culinary Expectations.
• Clothing and Valet care.
• Entertainment and Event Planning.
• Property and Grounds Management.
• Maintenance Task Schedules.
• Transportation and Travel Schedules.
• Safety and Protection Management.
• Personal Care: Child, Elder, Guest and Pet.

3. Estate Manager Certification: Administrative Service Management, Financial Management and Human Resources for the Private Home.

Students are empowered with Employment Practices, Day in the Life™, Time Management Skills and financially what it takes to set up a home. Students experience the different roles within service environments and learn that it can be as challenging to Receive Service as it is to Give. This is the Environmental Management and Facilities Overview of administratively setting up a structure within a home or other service Environment.

Administrative Standards include:

• Introduction to Administrative Standards.
• Service Flow
• Working with the Family Office.
• Financial Management for the Private Home.
• Finances, Records and Budgets.
• Human Resources for the Private Home.
• Background Investigations, Immigration.
• Managing Calendars, Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices.
• Managing Appointments and Schedules.
• Customizing Service Schedules.
• Inventory and Collectibles.
• Customizing and Setting Up a Service Management Plan and Creating a Household Manager’s Book.
• Identifying the People’s Lifestyle Service Vision.
• Identifying the Environment.
• Identifying the Service Standards.
• Working with the Starkey Service Management System tools.
• Housekeeping Philosophy, Development of Zones and Task Sheets.
• Presenting the Plan to your Principal and fine tuning.

4. Estate Manager Certification: Entertaining, Wine and the Ballet of Service.

Private Service Event Planning (The Ballet of Service) is an inspirational and educational experience through which students become fully acquainted with including the use of Starkey’s event Planning Management Tool. The Formal Dinner is scheduled; Table Etiquette, Protocol, Formal and Informal Entertaining, Table Service, Table Settings are practiced and Care of Fine Linens. Students also have Organoleptic Tasting, Wine Cellar Management, Classic Cocktails and Cigars. This is the essence of all event-planning learning of the highest order, Guest Care, Etiquette and the Protocols of Formal Service.

Part I Event Planning & the Ballet of Service

• Setting up for Entertaining.
• The Formal Table.
• Seating Charts
• Table Settings
• Table Service Styles
• Table Linens
• Identification and Care of China, Crystal, and Silver
• Event Planning, Caterers and Rental.
• StarkeyHQ© Software for Entertaining and Event Planning.
• Guest Protocols and Amenities.

Part II Etiquette and Personal Graces, Principals of Service

• Entertaining Etiquette
• Personal Service Graces.
• Grooming, Speech and Writing.
• The Luxury Market, Products and Resources.
• Service Strategies for serving the High-Net Worth

Part III – International Protocol:

• International Protocol and Diversity

Part IV – Introduction to Wine – Level 1

• The History of Wine
• Components of Wine
• Wine Cellar Management
• The Pairing of Food and Wine Tasting
• Organoleptic (involving the use of sense organs)
• Old-World and New-World Winemaking
• Liquor and Bar Set-up

5. Private Service Management and Leadership and Vendor Management.

Students are empowered with the skills needed to be leaders of people and Managers of projects and systems in Private Service. They are also empowered to be able to manage Vendors in the Business of Private Service. As this is also Administrative Work, it is developing the non-tangible Leadership Styles and Self-Directed Motivation to Manage Processes and Systems.

Management and Leadership course includes:

• Management of multiple properties.
• Managing and Resourcing Support Vendors.
• Listening and Anticipation.
• Time Management Techniques and Self-Directed Motivation.
• Understanding Life Balance.
• Public Relations in Private Service.
• Desired Management Traits.
• Leadership in Private Service and Management Techniques.
• Managing Art and Fine Collectibles.
• Managing Property and Grounds and Maintenance.
• Managing Smart Home Technology.
• Managing Safety and Security and Private Estate Security.
• Managing Transportation and Travel, Jets and Yachts.

Certification Programs

What is an Estate Manager? Function And Job Description

What is the Function and Job Description of an Estate Manager?

Estate Manager is a newer term utilized to describe what a Majordomo, House Manager or Butler used to be called, a more American term. It is important to recognize the overall scope of an Estate Manager, while each of the other terms can fit certain duties of an Estate Manager none really fit the true meaning of what a modern Estate Manager does on a day to day basis.

Some other variations do exist such as “Director of Estates” and or “Director of Properties”.

The Estate Manager is an administrative service professional who possesses a mature and seasoned knowledge of Service Management Systems, expertise with multiple homes or in small luxury hotels, and knowledge of working within the Luxury Marketplace, in the Service Environment and throughout the Grounds and Property.

This person must possess basic Human Resource principles, overall knowledge of Transportation and Security, and understand his or her role as part of the Family Office team.

This professional must understand the relationship of service and appropriate Private Service and business etiquette protocol.

This professional must be able to identify all Service Standards, organize work schedules, train, and manage all service staff required to fulfill all Standards for large Estates of generally 18,000 square feet or more, and/or for busy families with multiple residences.  HQ Service Management Software is essential.

View Current Starkey Graduate Estate Managers

Salaries are currently between $90,000 and $300,000 per year with full benefits, and if appropriate, private housing.

Read more about private services titles and positions

The Overall Management of an Estate, or multiple Estates, is quite different from the detail of daily service delivery. Understanding the difference can make the difference of preventing turnover. An Estate Manager’s position is to take on the responsibilities involved in upholding the Service Vision and overall quality of life of the Principal and their family. The Estate Manager should approach a Private Service Management position with the following perspective:

Over all Service Vision Of An Estate Manager

Learn the depth of clarity necessary to execute all operations within a Service Environment; utilize the Starkey Service Management Model taught in the “Systems Course” with careful, skillful and intentional listening to the Principal’s Service Vision.

This written Customized Service Management Plan process will reveal and summarize the economic, human, and social factors required for the successful completion of setting up all aspects of the Principal’s overall Lifestyle, Service Vision and their Environments.

Be sure to achieve agreement with the Principal on the Service Vision, Service Goals and the overall Service Management Plan, including the staff and resources needed to fulfill the service expectations for each home and Service Environment.

Service Management Blueprint and Budget Use the now-complete Service Management Plan Blueprint to gather and analyze the overall budget necessary for the Household/Estate and Service Environment fiscal management. Create and refine monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year budgets in cooperation with the Family Office or Accountant. In some cases, manage the Household/Estate operations and project-specific purchasing, payroll, insurance, etc. specific to those budgets as directed.   read the full article

On-going Short-Term Education opportunities at Starkey

Essential Private Service Knowledge

Education for the Working Household or Estate Manager

Professionals in Private service are seeking ways to grow their skills.  I just received a call from a Chef who has found himself in a $200k a year Estate Management position without the experience or training to functionally set up a plan.  (more…)