Home Office Feng Shui

Once a clerk, always a clerk…Well, a clerk may grow into a bank manager, but it is rare that a bank manager quits his job, starts his own business and is a success. Working for large organization often renders you useless for self-employment. Moreover, the security of a monthly pay cheque is gone. Few people choose this route but those who do and succeed are a happier lot.

Like Deepak Dalal.
I can only describe the mail I received from Dalal, two years ago, as a semi-colon in our four-year-old relationship.

He wrote, “Perhaps it is a different kind of seven year itch. I have decided to stop working for someone else and to work for myself. During the last seven years I have changed three jobs and have grown from a middle level executive in a bank into a manager of the entire branch. But I am frustrated. Because of the fast turnover of employees, I have to run the branch with inexperienced or less experienced people.

Most of them don’t seem willing to learn either. I am running the branch like it is my own business. I apologize to clients for the blunders of my staff, for the delays caused by the inefficient head office, plead with them to keep fixed deposits with us and treat every customer like he is royalty. Yet, there is virtually no appreciation from the higher-ups. Others in a similar situation try getting another, better paying, job but I want to change the tracks. I want to do my own business. I want the fruits of my hard work, I want to grow. Before I make the first move, I want to consult you. Every time, thanks to your Feng Shui advice, I grew in my career. The Peak got me my first promotion and the Greedy Dragon of Ambition got me here. I think it is the Dragon that is urging me to go into business for myself.”

Deepak had the enterprise, ideas, ambition and drive to become successful. I had seen a glint in his eyes when he asked for the Greedy Dragon of Ambition. It spoke volumes about this man. He even repeated my description of the Dragon verbatim: This is NOT your average Dragon. The Greedy Dragon of Ambition is one who will never let any opportunity just pass him unexplored. He does not believe in anyone being better than him and he believes in excellence. Hugging the Earth in his powerful grip, the Dragon fiercely guards his treasure. This painting is for high achievers on their way to the top. Those in business say that nothing can slow you down once you have the Greedy Dragon by your side.

Perhaps because I am judgmental, I don’t always recommend this painting to people who seek Feng Shui guidance. People who themselves ask for the Dragon impress me. They are ruthless and ambitious.

(Some day I will write about a woman entrepreneur who asked for this Dragon. I call her Lady Dragon. She is heading a TV channel today!)

But Dalal already had the Dragon and it was pushing him further. He wanted to get into the business of mutual funds. I suggested the strong period and advised him about his home office. This required changes, as earlier; he was working for the bank. I reviewed everything from the desk position to his Wealth and Career corners. He didn’t need any staff except a peon.

He got back to me after a year with a text message.

“Today I complete a year of independent business and am very happy. The business has been good. I want to buy an office and also tell you about my experiences.”
Based on my guidelines, he short listed three office premises. I had to choose the office where he would spend his working hours.

“Mohanji, by God’s grace and the blessings of Feng Shui, I complete two years today. It has been a very flourishing business. I have made it!”

“Tell me.”

He recounted his success story. “I had been friendly with all the VIP clients in my branch, even cultivated them,” he said with a smile. I too knew his habit of keeping a record of all his contacts in his Casio diary.

“My main business is from five HNI accounts. They invest huge sums in funds like Franklin Templeton, ICICI and Fidelity. The percentage may be small but the amounts I receive from my commissions are big.” Dalal elaborated. HNI, to the uninitiated, are high net-worth investors who want to place large amounts in safe but fast growing investments. Often, one such client is enough for a middle class existence. Dalal had five. More than the words, his desire to acquire a 3-bedroom-hall apartment in a luxury building, wanting to give the best education to his children and a go on an exotic holiday with his family, told me his success story.

And Deepak is so besotted with the Dragon that his email ID includes the term “dragon” and “ambition”, spelt differently!

I am sure he will grow even more in future.