By Samantha Van

Old Chinese coins are feng shui symbols of wealth.

Retailers and suppliers are always looking for new ways to improve their profitability and abundance‚ but they may be doing it the hard way. Feng shui‚ an ancient Chinese practice which could benefit many businesses has been overlooked by executives.

Only 7% of local offices have been arranged using the practices of feng shui‚ according to a survey released last year by Australian recruitment and human resources firm Talent2.

Yet 40% of the 1‚960 respondents said that they believe in the benefits of the ancient art of placement and arrangement of space to attract positive energy.

Bosses in Tasmania are the most sceptical of feng shui – 0% of respondents from the state said their office has been feng shuid‚ followed by SA (2.8%)‚ Victoria (5.4%)‚ WA (6.4%)‚ QLD (6.4%)‚ ACT (7.1%) and NSW (8.7%).

Potential benefits of feng shui

But such scepticism may be unwarranted. "It's hard to give specifics about tangible benefits‚" facilities management company CAFM Solutions founder and CEO‚ Kevin Rosen admitted to Forbes.com. However‚ he said that‚ "we've definitely seen our company grow since Kartar [Diamond‚ a feng shui consultant] made her suggestions. Harmony and energy in our office has been enhanced‚ and in discussion with customers‚ our staff is friendly and cohesive. We credit feng shui with some of that."

Feng shui literally translates as “wind-water” and “is about harnessing the Qi (energy) within your environment to assist you in achieving your goals‚” feng shui company Feng Huang Consulting principal‚ Jane Dempster-Smith told Connected.

Major role of outside environment

Feng Huang Consulting principal Jane Dempster-Smith says feng shui practices classic feng shui. Dempster-Smith says that the outside environment plays a major role in feng shui-about 70%. “By external environment we mean the mountains‚ hills‚ valleys and rivers‚ creeks‚ roads and other buildings in your vicinity and what affect they have on your property.

“Your main door should not be obstructed by negative energies such as trees‚ lamp posts‚ corners of other buildings etc.

Dempster-Smith first heard about and began studying feng shui in 1999. She then moved to Singapore and studied under many famous masters including Master Raymond Lo from Hong Kong.

“Feng shui is for everyone who wants to improve aspects of their life or business‚” Dempster-Smith said. Whilst working in Singapore‚ her clients were all Western companies to individual office spaces within companies and homes. “Since returning last October my clients have been Australians wanting to improve harmony‚ health and prosperity in their lives.

Feng shui for the workplace

“Major corporations can use feng shui in many ways. Where you place your reception desk‚ tills etc is very importance as you would like to be one of the positive areas for wealth. The movement of customers in this area is the activation you require to enhance the wealth areas.

“The placing of senior management in areas of harmony and power can also improve business. There are also negative areas in any space and these are the ideal location to place your storage areas‚ toilets etc. Internal placements of desks and employees for harmony are also achieved through feng shui."

There are many schools‚ or techniques‚ of feng shui. “I practice what is known as classical feng shui. “Feng shui originated about 3‚000 years ago. It is not a religion‚ Dempster-Smith said. “Classical feng shui covers categories such as San He- external environment‚ San Yuan- time and space‚ Xuan Kong Fei Xing (popularly known as Flying Stars)‚ Eight Mansions and many more. A lo pan or compass is used by all practitioners to carry out a Feng Shui analysis.”

Despite the predominance of Asian consumer electronics companies in Australia‚ Connected could not find one who had used a feng shui consultant.