For the third year in a row, the Birmingham Journal named Barfield, Murphy, Shank & Smith PC (BMSS) near the top of the "best places to work," list, and called them an "innovator in the human resources field."

What do they do that's different? Several things, including paid sabbaticals, massages during tax season, and extra time off once tax season has passed. But chances are, if you asked the staff what to name the number one perk that makes their lives easier, they'd say "Betsy."

Betsy Nolen was hired two years ago as a personal valet. The idea of hiring such a person was the brainchild of founding partner, John Shank, though he admits that he read about another business that did this, and thought it might work for BMSS. Originally the plan was to try out the new position for the coming tax season. But they didn't know then what an asset Betsy would be. Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that she seems to be the ideal candidate for the job.

After graduating from Auburn University in Alabama, Nolen moved to South Carolina to continue her education. During the day, she was a full-time nanny... a job which helped her develop strong organizational and multi-tasking skills. Maybe it even helped her become a bit intuitive about the needs of others. When she heard through a friend that BMSS was talking about hiring a personal valet, she threw her hat in the ring. Based on her two years in the position, it's safe to say, the staff and partners at this growing firm consider Betsy Nolen a great addition to their work family.

What the Job Involves

Since Nolen was the first person to fill this position, she pretty much created the job. Most days, she spends doing banking and shopping errands for staff members... and that's not limited to the partners or upper level staff. Her services are available to everyone at BMSS. The employees at Wal-Mart are accustomed to seeing her just about every day, whether she's picking up odds and ends for the office for fellow employees, or picking out a birthday present on behalf of a partner. She not only buys those presents, she wraps them too. She even keeps a stash of wrapping supplies at her desk for that very reason.

On any given day, 28 year-old Nolen may be asked to take a car for servicing, make a bank deposit, or pick up and deliver medicine for a coworker's sick child. The job has also evolved into event planning, as she is frequently called upon to plan celebrations like wedding or baby showers or anything else that comes up.

For firms that may want to hire a personal valet, Nolen says there are a few special skills to look for. Naturally organization is important, but also flexibility. While she starts every day with a plan, there's always a good chance that she'll need to completely rework the plan to incorporate urgent tasks that pop up.  But, says Nolen, it's also important to be able to prioritize. "Sometimes you have to say ‘I probably will not have time today, but I'll do it tomorrow.' There's only one of me," she says, and that may mean having to ask someone to wait when there is no real urgency.

Whatever, the task, she is happy to do it, and that's a big part of why the staff and leadership at BMSS love her. "She's one of the family. She handles our internal hospitality," says John Shank. "The staff dearly loves her." These days, when recruiting new blood is extremely competitive, BMSS has two advantages, according to Shank. One, they offer every other Friday off during the slower season, and they have the services of Betsy Nolen. He even credits her with being part of the reason why BMSS consistently ranks high on the lists of best places to work. "Having Betsy here adds a great benefit in terms of stress relief."

For a position that started out as a tax season experiment, it's safe to say, this one has been a success that more than pays for itself.  If your firm is looking for a way to boost productivity, morale, and enhance your recruiting ability, adding a personal valet may be just the thing you need. But don't get any ideas about spiriting Nolen away from her current job. The good folks at BMSS may have gentle southern accents, but if you mess with family, they're likely to get a bit testy. 

Hiring a personal valet is a winning idea, but you'll have to find your own Betsy.

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