Thanks for the appreciation, mga Sis.
If you have any questions, just ask -- I am willing to share.
With regards to my manuals -- which ones do you have an interest in?
My helper manuals are geared towards the function. Like 1 manual for the Main Cook (handles my husband's food requirements & responsible for the maintenance of our Family Kitchen - Daily Dining + the Service Kitchen).
Another Manual for the 2nd Cook (handles my & kids' food and also
responsible for my Formal Kitchen, Formal Dining & Master Bedroom, Bath
& Dressing Room).
Another Manual for the Cleaner#1 & another for Cleaner #2 etc etc
Another for the Lavandera.
The above manuals are basically a listing of tasks (with special reminders where necessary) done on a daily basis, weekly, b-monthly and monthly for EACH cook/helper.
Actually, mga Sis -- you just need to take time out to see what are your requirements -- ang katulong mo (que 1 or 10) -- ano ang kelangan gawin in a day, in a week, etc? Now, this task listing implies that each helper has a definite set of tasks and areas of responsibility -- you can manualize but it will useless if you cannot pin 1 manual to 1 helper.
I started my helper manuals by sitting down and listing what are my REQUIRED tasks -- yung hindi puedeng hindi gagawin in a day. Then I thought these out in terms of time requirement -- how much time it will require (how many people) and when the task must be done (so you separate those that are time-sensitive such as for ex. meal prep from those that can be done at any time -- ex. clean the kitchen cabinets).
The pics in the manuals are those of
Daily uniforms and party uniforms. (Ex. these remind whoever should wear aprons not to forget these. .... (No, dears, my helpers do not wear caps. And FYI, I am less OC than some of my friends who -- well, if the food served at their parties is Japanese -- their helpers wear kimono-inspired tops; if Filipino -- naku, eh naka kimona't plaid skirts, or the male version thereof. LOL)
Specific task arrangements -- like for the Main Cook -- how I want our tableware arranged for our daily meals, etc. etc.
For the Cleaners -- depending on what is in their area of responsibility -- I have pics for how the decor on the tables should appear (I change the pix when I change the decor) -- kasi ayokong basta binalik lang nila tapos na. I hate most when they decide to decorate themselves and rearrange my stuff -- yan galit na galit ako.
For the cleaners -- I have a pic of how their cleaning basket (those plastic trays with compartments and a handle you see everywhere -- should look like -- it shows what the cleaning supplies therein should be like Pledge, Lysol Cleaner, etc. -- makikita kasi sa pix ang korte ng mga supplies -- and well, helpers are more "visual" than "literary" -- IMO)
Another example of a pix -- my Guest Room kasi has that "accordion type" of pull-out sofa bed. So, when I have visitors -- I want the linens on the bed fixed a certain way. So may pix yan -- the Cleaner just follows -- and I just check later on. There are also things brought out when there are guests like a luggage rack, a standing table mirror, etc etc -- those little things to make a guest feel at home. Pag may pics -- 98% perfecft na by the time I check.
Nga pala, in each manual -- I have pics of how I want the contents of each cabinet/drawer for which the helper is responsible for -- fixed. Ayoko ng basta sinasaksak ang gamit kung saan magkasya. It is a form of discipline -- return things where they belong. It is a regular way of cutting back on clutter too.
No 2 households will have the same exact manual -- it all depends on one's priorities and availability of time and/or help. Mga Sis, it does not mean that the more helpers you have the better. What is critical is that your helpers think and have initiative, and want to learn. Pag matigas ang ulo, kelangan dakdakin pa, ayaw matuto -- hay change that helper -- coz wrinkles and high BP are costlier to manage.
I like manuals coz, once you explain it to a helper and wala na syang tanong -- both of you are confident naintindihan nya -- it cuts back on friction between the 2 of you. It makes it clear to her what your expectations are -- and she can be more productive with her time that way.
This is funny but, without the uniform pictures -- eh 1 uniform lang naman lahat yan, except for the yaya -- and the cooks just wear aprons -- naku you will see so many "interpretations". Meron dyan tiklop pa the short sleeves to make it what -- puffed sleeves? LOL. Meron dyan open the top buttons to the waist tapos may suot na spags or tshirt inside -- LOL! With pictures, pag sinabi ko kelangan ganito -- well, hindi na ako kelangan pa make a wacky comment about any fashion creativity -- eh baka masaktan pa sensitivities nila.
