Give Me a Little More Time

I am knocking around the idea of writing a book. I know that I am not much of a writer; frankly, I am an unranked amateur. However, I look around the industry and all I see are a lot of housekeeping books. Housekeeping is only one of many components that make up the job of House Manager. There are also administrative, kitchen and maintenance duties to name just a few.
The thing is, once you get an understanding of the processes involved, there are many many ways to tackle the job, just like there are dozens of books that will "teach" you how to use Microsoft Word or "Make a Million on Ebay".
I now face a dilemma. Do I publish my ideas here first or do I stop writing here for a bit in order to get my ideas submitted? And, of course, my mind races with the "what-if" scenarios, like "what if" I forget to properly cite my resources?
In the meantime, things on the blog will be on the light side.

Title by: The Chairmen of the Board

Spare Me The Details

You do not need all this training and experience to be a good HM. There is a definite advantage to being trained in some field that requires organizational skills. The ability to think "on your feet" and prioritize tasks and issues is invaluable.
The idea is to break the "environment" down into smaller manageable pieces. At a macro level, the environment is all the places, people and things that are under the aegis of the principal(s). In other words, all the properties, staff, guests, pets, vehicles, etc. that the principals call their own. At some point, you will have to know the details of all these things; each seeming detail revealing that more information can be gathered.

Title by: The Offspring

What The Butler Saw

The people we provide service for are the principal(s). For readers of this blog, the Ps are my principals.) Clever how their last name starts with "P", n'est ce pas?)

I refer to my peers in the trade by the title House Manager. It is a well accepted title by many including principals and placement agencies. We can collectively be called Butler, Major Domo or Estate Manager as well. Companion, Personal Assistant and Valet are also titles used but are generally more specialized in personal care for the principals. I will elaborate more on that distinction later.

Title by: Squeeze

Introduction

So by popular demand, a bit about being a House Manager. First, let me acknowledge my sources and my experience.

I received my Certified Household Manager certificate from Starkey International in July 2007.

I have worked restaurants, resorts and hotels. I have several years experience in a kitchen that served both restaurant and banquet customers. I have served in formal dining rooms as waiter and sommelier (though, frankly I prefer to drink the stuff rather than sell it), banquet server, maitre'd, bartender, even a brief stint as a DJ. I have worked the front desk, reservationist, housekeeping, bellhop, pool attendant, water-ski instructor, chauffeur, concierge and just about every position in a movie theater except projectionist. My mother shared her wonderful skills in preparing French, and indeed International, cuisine and entertaining every guest as though they were an ambassador.

I have long hard-earned years of retail service experience. I can fold anything from a woman's silk shell to a 8 foot by 8 foot braided rug. (Do not even get me started about folding clothes and US Navy boot-camp.) I can stand at a register for countless hours with nothing to drink or eat, greeting every customer with a smile in my voice and balance my till to the penny at the end of my shift. I can tell you about the features and benefits of computers, well constructed furniture, washers & dryers and air conditioners. I have worked for a 4-seat answering service and a 300-seat mutual fund call center. I was a registered rep (Series 6 & 63).

I have assisted in the management of rental and condominium properties. I have done maintenance, housekeeping, grounds keeping and neighbor relations. I even had the thankless job of Secretary & Treasurer for our Owners' Association. (Yes, the condo is STILL for sale.)

My experience in information technology has been as a business analyst both on the IT side of the shop and the "Business" side. Project managers will see Project Management Institute type references in here. Process managers will see parts of the Rational Unified Development ("who"/"how") and Waterfall processes for software development. There is even a bit of requirements training via Requirements Quest. I have also been working on and supporting computers since the Commodore 64 only had a tape drive.

But, as they say, enough about me...

Title by: Panic! At The Disco