Message from the Chairman

by Steven Ferry

When most of the airwaves are taken up with the pandemic, I am not inclined to add to the noise and confusion. If knowledge is power, however, then ignorance is weakness, and I have two videos  that will empower you, I am sure.

1. Fact not fear: You will be surprised at the facts, methinks.
2. A very good video explanation of viruses by Dr. Berg—what makes a person susceptible to them and what a person can do to keep them at bay.

How much do you know about this invisible menace, the world of viruses?

What an extraordinary thing: Viruses exist just to exist, they have no further product or goal, it seems, unless to cull those who violate too many basic requirements for their own survival—meaning, for instance, that inevitable aging has to be countered with a greater effort in areas over which we have control in order to stay in the game of life.

Not mentioned in the video are the spiritual and mental aspects, the state of which are, surprisingly, far senior when it comes to whether the viruses win or we win. Part of that spiritual/mental health is understanding the viral enemy—that it is not some invisible and malignant force about which one can do nothing but live in fear that it will arbitrarily point its gnarly finger at us and there goes the whole ball game.

There are multiple actions and resources for building immunity and even for dealing with the virus in the event one catches it and is unfortunate enough to be amongst the relative few who experience severe symptoms.

But the main point is, maybe we should not be in such a rush to fix something that is hardly an issue compared with other threats that humanity faces.

Spread the word!

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people- skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.

Message from the Chairman

by Steven Ferry

You may have started to notice news reports in the mainstream media about the Wuhan coronavirus, also referred to as CoVid-19. We have been following it for the last 5-6 weeks through independent media. The lack of verified information and the influence of political persuasions of one stripe or another make it hard to gauge the actual situation accurately. Certainly there is panic and confusion, as well as multiple actions taken that, in hindsight (or appearing obvious while events are unfolding, to anyone with two brain cells to rub together), have proven unproductive in terms of containing the virus; so we are faced with a global health threat that is now expanding into a global economic threat.

Who knows where it will end, but in typical butler style, we calmly assess and resolve those areas over which we have some influence. A measured review of the situation without political curves being added will allow all of us, that is, mankind, to resolve this danger optimally. We can add to all other sensible responses by influencing those around us, and those who govern us, to act with caring for the long-term survival of all—we may be knee deep in the games we play against each other, but in the final analysis, we are all fellow travelers on the same path on Planet Earth, on the same Team Mankind, as opposed to Team Virus, Team Bacteria, or Team Locust. Let’s see if our team can’t win!

This obviously starts with you, your family, your employers, and guests. Have you stocked up with the provisions and the personal care products needed to last a month or two, should your area be locked down? Do you have cash in hand? There are multiple sources online providing advice on what you might need, in the event you are not prepared or do not already have your own emergency checklist.

If you take responsibility for your neighbors and their preparations, too, then you will not find them banging on your door because they have run low on supplies. And we will prove that Team Mankind still has what it takes.

Whatever happens between now and the next journal, we hope it will not be as bad as some predict and that we will all be sitting comfortably somewhere, sipping a latte or whatever, and enjoying the sunset.

Good fortune to us all in this mutual crisis.

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people- skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.