Dreams come true with Feng Shui

Feng Shui has brought a whole lot of people into my life, and, besides my web site, I have started a page in facebook (facebook.com/fengshuimiracle) where lovers of Feng Shui can share space with me. I do not know whether I will really be able to cope with the demanding schedule that requires me to give consultation, write, paint, give online consultation and reply to scores of letters and e-mails that I receive everyday, but these varying phases and experiences give me a high.

I feel uneasy, rather guilty, if the Feng Shui does not work fully for someone. Fortunately, this is very rare. The success stories far outnumber the failures. The kick is more when someone returns with recurring success stories, like it happened with Brian Seagal who I call ‘my friend' Brian. I respect his right to privacy and have never revealed his identity. This time, when he was in Mumbai, he narrated his recent success stories over a glass of chilled beer. He had realized his dreams.

From trader to manufactuer

"I have grown from being a trader to a manufacturer and now, I have an identity. Here is my new identity," Brian smiled and offered me his visiting card. The card was printed vertically, as I had suggested, and had the element of metal and earth in its design and choice of colours. I had mentioned this card trick to him during a casual telephone conversation, Brian is particular enough not to miss even a casual suggestion.

Brain manufactures pressure cookers, kitchen sinks and dishwashers. His products are hot in Australia as well as in France, Spain and some parts of Europe where they compete with top brands like Evinox, Fagor Duo and Tefal Calipso. "My business growth has been amazing. If I measure it simply in terms of money, my net earnings grew four times in just one year! I put the profits back into the business and the projections for this year are very encouraging. The advance orders from different countries show that our growth will be even faster. Everyone is concerned about inflation and recession, but as far as we are concerned, we don't see any reason to worry," said Brian.

Whether winning or losing, these Australians are candid.

Brain told me that he was in India to fix a tie-up with an Indian manufacturer, but was fed up with the ‘dishonesty', politics, corruption, red tape and traffic jams in this country. I did not defend these flaws in our society. You cannot defend the indefensible.

"I have yet to decide whether I should go ahead with the tie-up or not, but my pleasure is meeting you in India," Brain said warmly.

Brian's story

This warmth goes back to June 2004, when Brian first walked into my office with the floor plan of his office and his home, and a VCD of the interior of both the places. Before coming to Mumbai, Brian had written to me, "...Perhaps it is my destiny. I was already planning a business trip to India. So, instead of sending you the floor plans and photographs via e-mail, I will consult you personally."
He appeared worried. His stress showed in the frown on his face. Though born in England, Brian is based in Australia.
Brian had a business selling pressure cookers and manufacturing kitchen sinks in Australia. He sold the same brands (Evinox Europe from Portugal, Fagor Duo from Spain, Tefal Clipso from France) that he is competing against now.
He bought a new office, and soon after he moved in, the sales graph started going down.  Apparently, the old office was very auspicious for him but he sold it when he bought this office. Things were going drastically wrong in this office. Earlier, the staff used to be full of enthusiasm and energy, but now there was only bickering, blame games and quarrels among the team. All this had demoralized the staff. Brain was worried that he might have to downsize the staff and then his business may go down even further.

The VCD showed that the work shirkers and clock watchers were located close to the main door... bad Feng Shui. So, it wasn't surprising that they were always eager to leave the office. Brian was seated in the middle of the office, and that had reduced his control on the staff.

Business problems galore

The number of goods returned because of manufacturing defects was on the rise and they were stored in the Wealth corner, thus adding to the problems. Together, on paper we did a complete relocation of his desk and the position of the senior staff members and the entire team, to be executed later by Brian in Australia. I suggested some Feng Shui products and did some paintings for his office. Interestingly, the ruling element of his Opportunities corner is the same as that of his business of pressure cookers - metal. His own products, placed in the North, became Feng Shui cures for his problems. Business opportunities grew and so did he.

Three months later, Brian wrote to me that there was a marked difference in the atmosphere and in the energy in the surroundings. And the sales graph had started its upward trend. Two years later, Brian was on top of the world and planning to expand his business further. He wrote, "Now I have a plan to manufacture pressure cookers myself. I have had enough of selling other people's products! But before I venture into this business, I want you to take a look at the new premises and help me place myself and the staff in the ideal positions. I am sending the floor plan as a separate attachment."

True to his plan, Brain Seagal, has become a successful manufacturer of kitchen sinks and pressure cookers. The tribe of businessmen who seek Feng Shui for business growth is certainly growing!

Note: The right of privacy is sacred for me. The names of the people mentioned in the diary are usually changed to protect the identity of my clients. The real names are mentioned with the consent of people mentioned.The picture accompanying the article is only for representational purpose.

Write to Mohan Deep