Can feng shui help improve my business? INQUIRER.net
August 18, 2009
(This is part of Take Charge of Your Money, a partnership between INQUIRER.net and Citibank to help readers handle their personal finances well.)
Q: My sisters and are set to open a small boutique this month. We found this small space in a mall with good traffic. Although we are not Chinese, my sisters have been suggesting that we consult a feng shui expert to assure the success of our business. Can feng shui really help? Consultancy fees are also expensive so I am wondering if it will be a good investment. – Joan
A: Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice that aims to balance the energies in space for health and good fortune. The Taoists believe that various “chi” or energy roam spaces. Good “chi” results in good fortune, while bad “chi” results in hardship. “Feng” means wind, while “shui” means water.
To allow good “chi” to roam, feng shui experts follow certain rules in aesthetics. This include guidelines on where to put windows and doors, adding a water element, mirror, chimes or even a horse painting, and the like. There are general rules, but people believe that having a feng shui expert specifically coordinate your space will be so much better.
The Chinese believe that practicing feng shui can help improve “chi” in the home or office, and may even bring better business success. Their testimonials have led to more people trying out feng shui, but it is ultimately a matter of preference. Just as there are individuals and companies who enjoyed better fortune as a result of following feng shui principles, there are those that have become worldwide successes without it.
One item to consider is the consultation fees that may be charged by a feng shui expert. Practicing feng shui also calls for major changes in the way you live and do business.
The success of a business hinges on several factors: having the right product, tapping the right target market, offering the right price, and distributing the product efficiently, among other things. If these are not handled well, no amount of feng shui can turn a business around. In short, feng shui alone cannot guarantee business success; you have to do your part as owner and manager.
Have you and your sisters studied your business plan well? There are many aspects to look into, from funding and setting up a system, to finding the right location and more. We hope you have adequately performed a market study and market testing, as these can help you make the right strategies to help your business succeed.
Businesses are more likely to be successful when owners are hands-on in running the day-to-day operations of the business. Make sure that your roles in the business are clearly defined for clear accountability.
Find a business mentor, someone who has been successfully running his or her own business. Learn from other people's successes and failures. Read up on management strategies and network with a group of responsible and credible businessmen and businesswomen you can learn from.
As in feng shui, make sure that everything is in order. Set up your books properly from the very start with the help of a good accountant. Have a place for everything. Make your store look clean and uncluttered. Ensure that your store is inviting and not intimidating.
And since you are going to sell to direct customers, train your people to service customers well.
We wish you the best.
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