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Can this humble peace lily improve your business?
Having potted plants in your office is good for the health of your employees which means that it’s also good for your business with reduced sickness rates and increased productivity.
The principle of bringing nature into our indoor environment has always been advocated by fans of Feng Shui and research is gradually catching up to prove the benefits.
In a recent study by Dr Tina Bringslimark of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences the amount of plants that could be seen by employees had a direct correlation to sickness rates: the more plants the lower the sickness levels.
US research has also shown an increase in productivity amongst workers who have plants in their environment. The Washington State University study showed an increase of 12%.
There are a number of reasons why plants can have an effect on us: the production of oxygen and reduction of other toxins in the air; the production on negative ions to counter the effects of electrical equipment; the psychological belief that plants are healthy for us and so we react accordingly.
Each explanation is valid but, before you go foresting your offices take some Feng Shui advice:
- The types of plants you choose should work within Feng Shui principles and be strategically placed to bring harmony to the energy of your space.
- The number of plants should be adequate for the size of your space.
- All plants need to be looked after and kept healthy. A dead or dying plant is probably worse than having no plants at all.
With that in mind, and if you have business issues such as absence rates and low productivity to address, maybe your next business trip should be to the nearest garden centre.
Jackie Notman is a business and feng shui consultant. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
Business Energetics is based on classic Feng Shui principles and brings together your environment and your people into one harmonised and focussed profit machine.
If you would like to find out more about how your business could benefit from living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website http://www.fs168.co.uk/businessenergetics
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Some of you may remember Catweazle. For others he may have passed you by or perhaps you weren’t around then.
Curiosity doesn't kill the Catweazle
Catweazle was the title character in a 1970s children’s TV programme in the UK. He was a wizard that lived in the 11th century and managed to transport himself through time to the 20th century – the 1970s. As you can imagine his new world would have seemed truly magical and amazing when seen through 11th century eyes.
I loved Catweazle: he questioned everything, took everything apart and broke a lot of things to. Needless to say the recent announcement that he is going to experience a movie remake caught my eye.
The original scriptwriter, Richard Carpenter, will provide the screenplay for the new movie. His motivation for creating the original TV series was ‘concern that children seemed to accept technology with barely a thought about how it worked and (I) thought that a character who saw modern scientific advances like electricity and motorcars with a fresh questioning eye would help to interest children in science.’
I started to wonder about the huge technological advances that have been made since the original series in the 1970s: our world now would seem truly magical to someone picked up from that decade and transported here. Yet we take all this technology for granted: being in constant contact with people; having information at our fingertips 24/7; portraying our lives on social media for all to see and living on credit in a virtual money world.
All these things we accept without understanding not only how these systems work but whether they are a good way to live our lives. Slowly, insipidly, we are giving over control of our lives and ‘computer says no’ is no longer a funny catchphrase from Little Britain but a real situation.
If all the world’s computer systems crashed or were hacked it is said that our world would stop functioning. And why? Because we don’t understand the computerised lives that we have built for ourselves and we’ve become so dependent on living through technology that we wouldn’t initially know what to do if it went wrong. Of course, we’d rediscover how to live our lives in a simpler way, but at what cost?
You might think that I’m against technology, harking back to a simpler life and say it’s my age or whatever. I love technology. I love the internet and the potential it offers. But, like everything, technology offers both advantages and disadvantages. Rather than embracing technology completely it might be worth questioning it first. Do a Catweazle: break it down, understand how it works and then just take the best bits for you. That way you stay in control (somewhat!)
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
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Designing your own workspace improves health, happiness and productivity
ScienceDaily (2010-09-08) — Employees who have control over the design and layout of their workspace are not only happier and healthier — they’re also up to 32 percent more productive, according to new research. … > read full article
This research shows how important environment is to us, whether it’s our home, the place we work or where we spend our social time such as shops, pubs and clubs.
Employers who don’t take this information on board are missing a trick and, in the current economic climate, they can’t afford to do that. Increase productivity positively impacts the bottom line. Not only that but employees who are in an environment that fosters productivity are more likely to be creative and happy – and less likely to leave which negatively impacts the bottom line.
Jackie Notman is a business and feng shui consultant. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
Business Energetics is based on classic Feng Shui principles and brings together your environment and your people into one harmonised and focussed profit machine.
If you would like to find out more about how your business could benefit from living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website http://www.fs168.co.uk/businessenergetics
Plants (living, fresh, healthy plants as opposed to dead or plastic dusty ones) bring nature into your home or workplace and have the same positive effects as nature imagery: If A Picture Paints A Thousand Words Then What Do Your Walls Say About You? In addition, plants contribute to our physical environment in a number of ways.
Firstly, plants absorb carbon dioxide and give out oxygen which is opposite to us humans who absorb oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. The increased oxygen from plants will have a positive effect on our brain function as well as reduce our fatigue so are ideal in a workplace. Plants also control humidity to a level that is beneficial for humans. Therefore we are perfectly suited to live in harmony with plants.
As well as oxygen plants give off negative ions. These are found in the atmosphere and are noticeable in places that you associate with fresh air such as the sea or in a rural area away from roads and industry. Positive ions are also found in the atmosphere and are given off by electrical equipment and manmade materials such as plastic or nylon. Positive ions can cause fatigue and lower our immune system and we need to counteract them with negative ions. Plants are therefore ideal to counter some of these effects and improve our wellbeing.
Finally plants take in gases that are noxious to humans and can have a purifying effect on the atmosphere. Research carried out by Dr BC Wolverton for NASA, attempting to create a breathable environment for a lunar habitat, found that houseplants are the best filters of common pollutants such as ammonia, formaldehyde, and benzene. These poisonous chemicals can be released by furniture, carpets and building materials, which are then often trapped by the ventilation systems in our workplaces. This in turn can cause respiratory and allergic reactions for people working in these places.
Energetically, plants can also have a distinct effect depending on their species and are often used in Feng Shui to balance Yin & Yang energies.
So, befriend your plants and look after them because they can bring a lot to your relationship and it could be the start of something beautiful.
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
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In a recent post When is Light not Light? I talked about the difference between full, real light and limited spectrum artificial light. If we look further into light and break it down into the wavelengths that we can perceive we have colours that we can consider individually.
You may think in business that colour isn’t particularly important or perhaps opt for the safe neutral colours that seem to be promoted on TV and in magazines. But it’s worth considering colour in a little more detail, not just in what colour you paint the walls but also in your brand, signage and even the colour of the company vehicles you use.
As with light, individual colours can support your employees as well as your business: its brand, its image and its relationship with customers. If used correctly colour can stimulate, create the right ambience and support business objectives. If no thought is given to colour then you could hinder the work of your employees, your brand and your business so it is worth considering and is a cost effective way of bringing positive changes to your business.
Individual colours have different psychological and physiological effects on us. Perhaps you’re ‘in the pink’ or ‘feeling blue’. These aren’t just sayings. Studies have shown that different colours affect us and are the basis of Colour Therapy which uses colours to heal both physical and psychological symptoms.
In 1968 Dr Jerold Lucey at the University of Vermont successfully used blue light to treat jaundiced babies. Blue light has also shown to be effective in treating pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. A recent study by Dr John Anderson showed red light to be effective in treating migraines and pink has successfully been used in prisons to calm violent prisoners.
If you are interested in finding out more about colour and its effect on our bodies I highly recommend Light: Medicine of the Future – How We Can Use it to Heal Ourselves Now
In your workspace it is important that you clarify the objective for each area before deciding on colour schemes. As a general rule colours can be said to have the following effects:
| Blue | Calming, relaxing, quiet
Ideal for reflective or restful areas |
| Green | Creativity, study, optimism
Ideal for training or research areas |
| Yellow | Sociable, interaction, communication
Ideal for meeting rooms or customer service areas |
| Orange | Happy, active, extrovert
Ideal for public areas, canteens or meeting places |
| Red | Stimulating, fast, hyperactive
Ideal for transit areas and public areas where movement and activity are important |
However, you can go even further with colour. At Business Energetics we also use colour on a deeper energetic level than described above by taking account of the orientation of the building and the energy of particular individuals. Using the right colours, not just in your environment but in your business branding, will help keep you one step ahead of your competition.
Jackie Notman is a business and feng shui consultant. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
Business Energetics is based on classic Feng Shui principles and brings together your environment and your people into one harmonised and focussed profit machine.
If you would like to find out more about how your business could benefit from living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website http://www.fs168.co.uk/businessenergetics
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You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.
Here in the UK we’re moving towards Autumn. If you’re an early riser like me you’ll feel a little nip in the air, see condensation on cars and notice it’s not quite as light. If you’re especially sensitive you would have been able to smell the seasons change a few weeks ago.
I’ve always loved Autumn visually. The reds, russets and golds put on a fantastic display before leaves fall and we get ready for the colder months. However, for the last few years I’ve noticed that I don’t like moving towards Winter. Darkness and cold do nothing for me. I’m not sure that I could be diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) but I know my energies lift when Spring makes a welcome return.
SAD’s symptoms are depressive and bought on by lack of natural daylight. People affected often find that light boxes help their symptoms. These light boxes provide full spectrum lighting which mimics natural daylight. For those not affected, or don’t believe they are affected, it may be hard to understand what all the fuss is about. After all, light is light isn’t it?
Actually it isn’t.
Light is in fact a nutrient and as vital to us as air, water and food. Just as the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat will affect our health and well-being, so too will the quality of light that we are exposed to.
You can't beat real, organic light
Our natural light comes from the sun and reaches us through a spectrum of waves. The length of these light waves will determine whether we can visually see them or not and what colour they are: The visible spectrum is seen as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. The invisible are infra red and ultra violet. When we receive full spectrum lighting with all these waves present it is a little like drinking pure water, breathing clean air or eating organic wholesome vegetables. In other words, it’s good for us.
However, when we created artificial light, firstly in the form of incandescent light bulbs and then fluorescent tubes, we created a very poor second to what is naturally available to us. For neither produces light that is full spectrum so, although we can see what we’re doing, we are not getting the full nutritional value of light as we would if we were outdoors.
If you work in any sort of office building you will probably be reliable on fluorescent tubes to provide your lighting. If so, and you are carrying out any sort of creative work then the lighting will probably hamper your efforts because we are unable to see colours correctly unless we are seeing them in full spectrum light. You may have experienced buying an item of clothing or cosmetics that looked the right colour in store but was very different when you got it home. And, if you’ve ever been in a store changing room you’ll probably have noticed that your skin is either very pale or sallow. These effects are all to do with the choice of lighting.
You may also find difficulties reading things printed on white paper because artificial light is not absorbed by white paper but bounces right back at you.
Of course, these problems are just minor compared to the health problems of spending a lot of time under artificial light. I’ve already mentioned SAD but there’s a lot of research being carried out into the effects of full spectrum light deprivation:
- In 1980 Dr Fritz Hollwich studied the effects on the endocrine system. Whilst working under artificial (part spectrum) lighting levels of ACTH and cortisol (hormones produced when we are under stress) were secreted. For people working under full spectrum lighting these were absent.
- A ten year study at John Hopkins University Medical School in Baltimore showed a positive effect of full spectrum light on the reduction of breast, rectal and colon cancer.
- In Russia, full spectrum lighting was used in a factory to address high incidences of colds and sore throats. After installation the bacterial contamination of the air was reduced by up to 70%. Furthermore, workers who did not receive full spectrum lighting were absent for twice as many days as those who did.
- Recent classroom tests have shown that students working in full spectrum light have a marked reduction in hyperactivity, absenteeism and an increase in academic achievement.
So, what do you do?
- Use daylight wherever possible. If you’re in an office and you have a window turn the lighting off. Not only will it help your health but it will also save energy.
- Full spectrum lighting is available but it is more expensive than normal fluorescents or bulbs so choose with care where you use it. For example, if you’re a business you don’t need full spectrum lighting for cupboards and corridors and other transit areas. Prioritise the areas where people spend most of their time (ie, at their desk).
- Have one full spectrum bulb at home, the area that you spend most of your time in when you come home from the office. This way you can get some decent artificial light in the dark evenings of the winter months.
- If you have a home office use a full spectrum bulb in there too. It will allow you to work more effectively by reducing stress, minimising glare and seeing colours naturally.
- Take a break in the day. A twenty minute walk at lunch time will bring enormous benefits. It’s not just the fact that you are getting away from your desk that is helpful, but the daylight will energise you. If it’s not too cold try and expose some skin such as your forearms. This will mean that you can take in a little more of the sun’s nutrients.
- Get out and about as much as you can on your days off. If it’s cold then wrap up well but go out and bathe in daylight.
- If you find that you have symptoms that appear to be linked to the seasons then contact a health professional who is familiar with SAD and consider use of a light box.
Just being aware of the difference between artificial and natural daylight will help you enormously because you’ll be able to choose full spectrum light when you can. And light, real light, will lead to a happier and healthier life.
Jackie Notman is a business and feng shui consultant. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
Business Energetics is based on classic Feng Shui principles and brings together your environment and your people into one harmonised and focussed profit machine.
If you would like to find out more about how your business could benefit from living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website http://www.fs168.co.uk/businessenergetics
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A recent survey by Make it Cheaper, a web based utility price comparison site, found that nearly two thirds of the business owners they surveyed feared burnout due to their demanding schedule. 35% get stressed about finding cover if they do go away and 20% aren’t able to switch off from work.
We are all told that work/life balance is important and, of course, it is. Not getting the balance right in our lives can cause stress which can lead to physical and mental health problems, for ourselves and those closest to us.
So, what do you do if the company needs you? What do you do if you can’t switch off? What do you do if your work/life balance is out of balance or not what the books tell us it should be?
I have sympathy with an employee who is stressed by an overbearing boss or unmanageable workload. But business owners, who are in control of their business and their workload, need to think again. For business owners there is no such thing as work/life balance. Work is life and life is work and most people who set up and run successful businesses do it because they have a passion. To tell them they must switch off their passion, forsake their email and blackberry and go cold turkey for a couple of weeks is far more stressful than their heavy workload.
Work/life balance is important. But so is your viewpoint and your individual likes, dislikes and character. So, if you want to go on holiday with your PDA then why not.
The same survey also found that some people were using a variety of ways to cut costs on holiday and 8% of the respondents said they saved money by not taking the kids with them!
Jackie Notman is a business and feng shui consultant. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
Business Energetics is based on classic Feng Shui principles and brings together your environment and your people into one harmonised and focussed profit machine.
If you would like to find out more about how your business could benefit from living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website http://www.fs168.co.uk/businessenergetics
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You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.
There is no such thing as a paperless office – well, I haven’t found one yet. Office workers produce an awful lot of ‘stuff’. Mainly paper but also old computer equipment, files, desk tidies, pen trays and that wobbly chair that’s kept in the corner.
Would you do business with a company who lives here?
It may seem like an inconsequential thing but clutter and disorganisation can have a number of negative effects on your business.
Firstly, piles of paper are a fire risk, especially if they are left close to electrical items. They are also a safety risk. If one of your employees trips over boxes, has to work in cramped conditions or needs to lift things out of the way to do their job, their physical health could suffer which not only means employee absence but possibly a claim against you for not providing a safe workplace.
Paper and files also collect lots of dust. Clutter doesn’t get moved so the cleaners can clean. Instead it sits there collecting dust. And with dust you get dust mites: little creatures that are a common trigger for asthma and allergies.
Now let’s think about your customers. Quite apart from the health and safety aspects already mentioned, clutter gives an impression of your business that you probably don’t want your customers to have. How old are the journals and magazines in your reception? Do they walk through a cluttered office to get to your meeting room? Do you have to clear a space so they can sit down? Your business goals, and the industry you’re in, will determine the type of image you want to portray. Whatever that is, clutter will never support your brand image.
Apart from turning off your customers or potential customers, clutter has other cost implications. Studies suggest that employees waste up to an hour a day looking for misplaced items or paperwork. That’s easy to qualify as a loss to your business. What is not so easy to calculate is the price of missed opportunities: perhaps losing the business card of a prospect that was really keen to meet with you or missing out on an important conference because the deadline came and went.
Studies also suggest that employees who work in cluttered spaces are more stressed, less efficient and, as a result, feel out of control. As a lack of control is another trigger for stress it becomes a perpetuating cycle.
Clutter also has an effect on an energetic level because it slows energy down and may cause it to stagnate. If your workplace needs a creative dynamic team, clutter will hinder them both physically and mentally.
Removing clutter is not just about tidying things up and putting it in cupboards. It’s about finding smarter ways of working, encouraging recycling and saving money.
So, have a good look round your office. If I was a potential customer and had just walked through your door what would be my impression of your company? Would you get my business?
Jackie Notman is a business and feng shui consultant. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
Business Energetics is based on classic Feng Shui principles and brings together your environment and your people into one harmonised and focussed profit machine.
If you would like to find out more about how your business could benefit from living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website http://www.fs168.co.uk/businessenergetics
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You have permission to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included and no changes are made to the article. A courtesy copy of your publication or link would be appreciated.
Employee engagement is certainly a buzz phrase at the moment. The Corporate Leadership Council (CLC) estimate that 20% of employees in the UK are highly disengaged meaning they are not happy or satisfied in their roles and not loyal to their employers.
However, in this current climate of high unemployment, is that really a cause for concern? People are not leaving the jobs they have or, if they do, plenty of others are looking so they can easily be replaced. Well, that attitude has a logical argument to support it but doesn’t take into account the benefits of employee engagement. Viewing people as the line in the company accounts titled ‘resource costs’ is short sighted and foolish in business terms.
Positive employee engagement unleashes productivity, creativity and pro-activity. All these ‘tivities’ mean an unrivalled energy in your company that is noticed by customers, prospects, suppliers, competitors and other people who want to become your employee.
“You sort of smell it, don’t you, that engagement of people as people. What goes on in meetings, how people talk to each other. You get the sense of energy, engagement, commitment, belief in what the organisation stands for.”
Lord Currie, former Chair of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) taken from ‘Engaging for Success: enhancing performance through employee engagement’ by David MacLeod and Nita Clarke, 2009.
Furthermore an engaged employee will behave in certain ways which will define certain outcomes such as improved customer satisfaction because the call centre staff have gone the extra mile, or reduced conflict or absenteeism because employees are happier to be at work. As a result, employee engagement is measurable and more and more research is showing that an organisation with engaged employees out perform organisations who do not have the same level of engagement.
In 2006 a Gallup survey found that organisations with low employee engagement levels had 51% more employee turnover than those with high engagement levels. A second Gallup survey in the same year showed that the Earnings per Share growth was 2.6 times higher in organisations with high employee engagement compared to those with low engagement levels.
Of course, many people are already convinced that employee engagement is a good thing. It’s the application of a strategy that causes problems. There is a plethora of studies that show what has worked for other organisations and there are many companies offering services to help you improve your employee engagement. Where to start?
- Recognise that you are dealing with people who are all different, have different emotions and motivators and need to be treated as individuals. Therefore having a ‘one size fits all’ generic solution will probably not work.
- Measuring and benchmarking is important. If done correctly you will know where to focus your effort and you will know if those efforts have been successful.
- Don’t stay on one level, think outside the box.
The levels I use are:
Intellectual
This is the basic level that most people operate on. There are many models available that help us to build teams, create effective managers, measure and benchmark, etc. It’s all valid stuff but, it’s only the beginning.
Physical
Don’t overlook the working environment. The most recent Workplace Employee Relations Survey (WERS) showed that job satisfaction levels varied across workplaces suggesting that the working environment had an impact on engagement as well as demographics and the role itself.
There are many aspects of our working environment that have an impact on us biologically, emotionally and mentally such as lighting, ventilation and colour. If detrimental this will affect employee engagement.
Metaphysical
This third level is based on classic Feng Shui principles which, in a nutshell, harmonise the energetic levels of the people, with the energetic level of the organisation, within the energetic level of the environment. Harmony is the key word here and it is a crucial factor for high levels of employee engagement.
Pull these three levels together and you have a unique synergistic solution for your organisation. I call this process Business Energetics. It’s a little out of the box and encourages you not to be a sheep. After all, if you want to stay one jump ahead in the market you need to get out of the box first and let the sheep follow you.
More information on Business Energetics can be found here.
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
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The Apprentice is back in the guise of Junior Apprentice with Lord Sugar giving young would-be entrepreneurs a chance to shine.
As the appeal of the show to date has been to view with incredulity and scorn the carefully edited antics of the contestants I wondered whether the format would work with 16 and 17 year olds.
And it does work although the scorn has to be replaced by amazement that the production people managed to find 10 ‘children’ with incredibly old heads and get them all into a room together.
Lord Sugar has always worked to encourage children into business, most recently promoting the Modern Apprenticeship scheme and I for one am going to be an avid watcher of this series.
In fact, apart from series one, I’ve watched all of them. The attraction for me is partly entertainment, partly looking for business tips and partly with my Feng Shui specs on.
Lord Alan Sugar - Feng Shui Master?
The thing is that Lord Alan Sugar has got Form School Feng Shui perfected and, if you’re a budding entrepreneur studying him would not go amiss.
Think about it, can you picture Lord Sugar sat at a cramped desk facing a blank wall? Or Richard Branson, Bill Gates or Donald Trump? I think not.
Form School is the oldest school of Feng Shui and focuses on the physical environment and how you fit in with it. Finding the most auspicious place to dwell meant survival – in this world and the next. Form School is still studied and applied although the natural environment is normally replaced by an urban, man-made environment.
Many people believe Form School can only be applied outdoors but it is equally important indoors as well and a good understanding of Form School, especially in your working area can provide that little extra element to attract success.
So, let’s have a quick look at Form School and then we’ll see why Lord Sugar is such a Master.
In Form School there are four areas that we analyse, and, as we’re talking about ancient Chinese principles, these areas have great names that symbolise their function and type of energy they represent.
They are the Mountain, the Phoenix, the Dragon and the Tiger.
The Mountain
The Mountain (sometimes known as the Tortoise) is found at the back of the property. Like a comfortable chair, the back provides support and protection. It will also stop good energy and opportunities flowing into the house at the front and straight out the back.
An ideal working environment will have a wall behind you and a high backed chair.
The Phoenix
The Phoenix is found at the front of the building. The Phoenix gathers external energy to bring into the house. It represents what is ahead of you so it’s important that you like the view.
An ideal working environment will have a pleasant view in front of you.
The Dragon
Standing with your back to the Mountain and looking towards the Phoenix you will find the Dragon on your left side. Like the Mountain, the Dragon offers support but specifically for the male occupants of the building and all things Yang and practical.
An ideal working environment will have anything electrical here such as a printer or other gadgets and anything that needs action.
The Tiger
Opposite the Dragon is the Tiger so, looking out towards the Phoenix the Tiger will be on your right. The Tiger supports the Yin aspects of the building. This includes the female occupants.
An ideal working environment will have something pleasing such as a plant, flowers or pictures of the family.
Now, watch Junior Apprentice, particularly the board room scenes:
Lord Sugar’s Mountain
He sits in the very centre with a wall and closed door behind him. The door is strategically placed to allow him to make an entrance as a ruler would at court. His chair has a high back and that back is higher than all the other chairs in the room, including those of his assistants.
Lord Sugar’s Phoenix
Apart from his assistants, everybody sits on the opposite side of the board table. So all this energy is directed at Lord Sugar. In addition, the table appears to be up-lit which provides additional energy. There is no doubt that this man commands the room and everything is drawn to him.
Lord Sugar’s Dragon
On Lord Sugar’s left side sits Nick Hewer. Traditionally the place of the Dragon representing Yang energy or all things male.
Lord Sugar’s Tiger
On Lord Sugar’s right side sits Karen Brady. Traditionally the place of the Tiger representing Yin energy or all things female.
Lord Sugar has perfect Form which may have come about organically or he may have had good advice – who knows?
Tips for your working environment
We can’t all have the luxury of space when we work at home or rent an office. But you can take some basic elements of form and apply them, even in the most cramped conditions:
- Keep your desk clear to allow the Phoenix energy to come to you.
- When you look up make sure you see something good. If you have to face a wall then have something on the wall which inspires you. It may be a vision board, your list of goals or a picture of the family that you’re working so hard for.
- Strengthen your mountain. Invest in a high backed chair. Not only will it protect and support you on an energy level, it also makes sense physically to sit in a decent chair for hours on end.
- Be careful where you place things. The Dragon (left) side should have all your electrical equipment, your To Do list, your campaign information and your in-tray. Anything that requires action.
- The Tiger (right) side is a still place and breeds creativity so your planning and development work can go here. It also needs to be nice to look at so flowers or a plant (healthy ones!) can go here. Because this is the Yin area your rubbish bin is best kept here but keep it out of site and empty it regularly.
- Ensure your working area is well lit as this will attract good energy into your environment. Natural daylight is best but, if it has to be artificial, use full spectrum bulbs.
- Make sure your desk is sturdy and unbroken.
Take these tips on board and bring some entrepreneurial energy into your business. And remember to study those you want to be like. But, don’t just consider what they say. Don’t just consider what they do. Consider their environment too. You could learn a lot and it could be the very edge you need to get ahead.
Jackie Notman is a copywriter, feng shui consultant and e-commerce retailer. This article is from her blog ‘Life – and everything else’ where you’ll find an eclectic mix of articles and information.
This Feng Shui information is general for everybody. However, there are deeper levels of Feng Shui which take into account you and your specific environment.
If you would like to find out more about living in harmony with your environment, and using energy to your advantage, contact Jackie Notman on 07920 461574 or through her website www.fs168.co.uk
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