Household employees and contracted service providers may perform the same work under the same household standards while carrying very different payroll, tax, employment-law and insurance responsibilities. Understanding who controls the work, the financial arrangement, and the employment relationship helps an Estate Manager classify each provider correctly and protect the household from misclassification and employment liability.
As Estate Managers, we work in a unique environment that can often blur the lines between professional and personal relationships. It’s critical that we maintain both professional and personal boundaries.
Service isn’t technical, it’s emotional. Yes, you should be able to address the -‘whatever is not working’, but an Estate Manager must also manage the people experiencing the situation, or responsible for it, with grace and composure.
A new business model offers House Manager jobs to candidates with no prior experience in household management. The questions our industry should be asking is what level of experience, judgment, and demonstrated competence should stand behind the title “House Manager,” and what are we going to do about it?
When developing an asset management system, Estate Managers should consider whether their current program can grow with the estate, adapt to changes in ownership, and support broader planning efforts.
Estate operations rely on trusted people and trusted systems. Computers, phones, cameras, and smart-home platforms are essential tools for managing large properties. A Technology and Internet Use Policy establishes how those systems are used, protecting both the principal’s privacy and the staff’s professionalism.
We’ve just updated our Canva Guide! This time, it’s more than a guide; it’s now a mini-course, complete with over 90 minutes of video tutorials. The course will walk you through how Estate Managers can use Canva to create polished, professional documents and make the most of the templates we publish at the Estate Management Network.
Our strategic planning guide provides a clear framework for estate managers to define priorities, set goals, and structure long-term operational plans. Includes step-by-step guidance and a full sample plan for reference.
As the warmth of summer envelops the country, it is important for Estate Managers to consider the unique clothing needs of household staff during this season.
While it may sound Bond-esque to some to have a collection strewn across the world ready for use wherever one lands, to an EM, it sounds like an asset-management challenge. With a little planning, however, and implementation of systems, a collection of fine autos can be easily maintained and managed.
Access during Fashion Weeks is not granted lightly. It reflects a year of strategic coordination across calendars, logistics, purchases, and brand relationships, as well as a positive in-person experience with a principal’s team. Understanding each brand’s expectations and communication style becomes part of maintaining the relationships that generate a principal’s preferred status year after year. The next invitation, fitting, or front-row seat depends on professional, timely communication sustained long after the final show.
Education remains one of the most valuable professional tools available to Estate Managers. Whether entering the field for the first time or taking on increased responsibility across complex households, an Estate Manager benefits from formal training, skill-specific instruction, and strategic development.