A butler can make all the difference! This statement truly describes the demanding work that a butler has to do. Butlers serve their employers for a long time, some even for their whole life. And this puts them in an unparalleled position. They must understand their employer like no one else, be on the front foot for their needs, guarantee the quality of service provided, and fulfill the employer’s satisfaction.
So, how do these professionals come to be? Well, such difference makers come out of premier institutions. And to give you an example, we present The International Butler Academy. The academy came into being in the year 2000. Mr. Robert Wennekes, a former butler for UHNW families founded the academy. Under his leadership and the peculiar way of imparting training, the institute became world-leader in no time. Today, the academy is known for its energy, passion, and commitment. It embodies the highest standards of service, loyalty, trust, discretion, and excellence.
A Contemporary Approach
The modern approach of the academy can be summed up in its infrastructure. The academy is in a house and not the other way around. It is nestled at a real private estate with the mansion’s name being Huize Damiaan. This former monastery was founded in 1892 by followers of the canonized Belgian father Damian. The academy purchased the estate in 2014, and after a year of restorations, is now the largest private mansion in The Netherlands.
At Huize Damiaan, students receive quality education in a live setting under a unique environment. Equipped with experts, the academy houses 135 rooms in a 7,000 square meter private house. Students get the best of everything day-by-day during the course of ten weeks.
In detail, students learn how to execute each household job skill to ease the superior management of their staff. Discussing the duties, Mr. Wennekes says, “You will be responsible for the rest of the staff, and the yacht, the jet, and other properties. You will be the estate or house manager, sometimes the chauffeur and at times even the housekeeper, handyman, accountant, gardener, etc. Whatever your role, we will teach you to do it with style and grace”.
Further, the academy feels proud of keeping complete transparency with the students and parents. It does not have any hidden or secret costs for the course. At The International Butler Academy, everything a butler must know is included in the curriculum.
Practical Learning
The academy teaches personal service expertise and organizational structure that supports the management of complex homes and lifestyles. For the duration of the entire 10-week training program, all students learn with an ultramodern approach. Students use their own iPad Air that allows them to learn how to run an Estate, Yacht, or a Palace. Such technological advantage allows students to connect with the faculty, and with each other, on and off duty.
The core areas of study and some examples of subjects covered in each include:
The Life of a Butler
Includes history and traditions, personal traits, technical skills, personal and professional standards, and service in detail.
The Modern Butler
Includes the use of cutting-edge technology, the TIBA butler’s online platform, and more.
Staff Management
Includes interviewing skills, hiring and firing, employee handbooks and house rules, human resources and personnel issues, staff communications, boundaries, time management.
House Management
Includes setting of routines and schedules, household hierarchy, defining and setting standards, purchasing.
Table Management
Includes setting tables and serving meals, serving skills, styles of service, table manners, wines and champagnes, cigars, creating menus, special celebrations.
Laundry and Wardrobe Management
Includes linens and fine fabric care, clothing maintenance, ironing & pressing, drycleaning, storing, product knowledge.
Valeting Skills
Examines the professional Gentleman’s Gentleman, and includes dress codes, formal wear, purchasing and care of bespoke clothing and shoes, maintaining inventories, packing and unpacking suitcases.
Communication
Includes cultural differences, interpersonal skills, body language, remembering names and making conversation, telephone manners, presentation skills.
Pets
Includes responsible animal care, animal welfare, pets’ behavioral needs, dogs and cats grooming, etc.
Etiquette & Protocols
Includes addressing persons of different cultures and titled persons, acquiring social confidence, social and business correspondence, common-sense good manners and consideration for others, personal norms and values.
Cooking
Includes balancing food and wine, menu planning and record-keeping, hygiene, speed-cuisine, quality control, the Chef’s night off.
Miscellaneous
Includes traveling with your employer, flower arranging, relocating the household, chauffeuring techniques, security, character building and much, much more.
A Plethora of Opportunities
The International Butler Academy feels proud to assist its clients with their recruiting needs. It specializes in the placement of butlers, house managers, estate managers, chefs, personal assistants, and domestic couples. Graduates can get full-time, part-time, and seasonal contract positions for distinguished clients around the world.
The academy ensures this via a straightforward selection process. The academy’s success is a direct result of its understanding of culture, needs, and goals. It tailors job descriptions that are true, honest, effective, and remarkable. Everything, from the interview questions to the screening techniques, is thorough and consistent with the standards of distinction and discretion. The recruitment methods ensure a friendly relation with the client and the candidate. In turn, the result is a connection that lasts long and consistent with the standards of excellence.
Moving Ahead
The academy will continue to provide robust training, creating difference makers of tomorrow. It will also continue to work on improving and developing new curricula for training butlers of the 21st century. To achieve the same, the academy has hired a special staff member who has a task development and improvement program. As such, it will ensure to meet the demands of students as well as clients. Visit www.butlerschool.com to know more.
