Dear TIBA,
There are many paths to
follow in life. Some decisions in life are
smaller, some are bigger. Training to
become a butler is not a choice for all.
All of TIBA's students are exceptional
in some sense or another. The reasons
for seeking butling skills are as
diverse as the histories of the
participants themselves.
Personally, I decided to
participate in the International Butler Academy
out of pure interest. When I made the
decision to participate in the TIBA-course, I
knew very little of what to expect.
The butling profession is a highly foreign
concept in the Nordic countries such as Finland
where I am from. especially among
the post-war generations. The training was
to be an existential jump. Education has
always been the best form of entertainment for
me. Going to TIBA turned into one of the
best investments of my life.
After having graduated from
TIBA, I look back and attempt to synthesize;
what did I actually learn at the school?
The Palace, the trainers, the field trips, the
other students, the homework, the dinners, all
the laughter - what was the experience all
about? How did it really affect my life?
I would deem that, in
addition to the technical household skills, the
course fostered most fundamentally a keen
awareness for detail, a respect for personal and
professional boundaries and a development of
one’s style. Perhaps the most powerful
learning was the fostering of a keen sensitivity
and desire for perfection. Perfection
sought from every aspect of life; from issues
such as how to walk, how to talk, how to enter a
room, how to stand, how to serve and how to
greet a person. The list goes on
forever. Many of these seemingly self-evident things
were reprogrammed into us and rediscovered
together during the course. All these
issues may
seem details in life, but over the years these
little things add up to become a substantial part of our
daily lives.
Outside the traditional
butling profession, the skills have already
shown me a clear value in a traditional business
context as well as in enjoying one’s personal
life. I believe that taking care of other
people is the essence of any business. The
butling skills of a personal service
professional may be applied to any relationship
in life. For me the skills so far have
been of value in the role of the best man of a
wedding, as a host of a party, in chairing
business meetings, in the way I organize
software programming, in the way I sit at the
table, in my speaking engagements and in
building my own household books and standards.
The transformation for me has been extremely
tangible. A constant awareness of detail,
levels of service and search for perfection have
guided new and interesting alternatives.
My experience is that butling skills,
correctly applied, are a true treasure for all
aspects of life. I cherish this treasure highly.
Sincerely,
Markus Wartiovaara - Finland
Graduate of The International Butler Academy
November 2001
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