It has long been understood that the environment in which you work, can dramatically affect performance and attitudes of employees. With this in mind, it is now becoming more and more popular for businesses to take into account an office space environment when setting up the office.
It may seem trivial from a business point of view, however it is known that global market leading companies such as Orange and Virgin employ the ancient practice of feng shui as a standard practice in office design.
Global mobile network providers Orange designed and built their Tyneside business centre based on the ancient Chinese art of feng shui. During the office block build, Orange was part of the Chinese firm Hutchinson Telecom, and as a result a feng shui consultant was hired to oversee the project.
The elaborate feng shui efforts were visible with koi carp fish at the entrance of the building, alongside strategically placed plants and water features. These are all said to represent success, wealth, power and blessings.
Although this might seem slightly indulgent, and perhaps to the average businessman as ‘a load of nonsense’, it has been proven to help employees feel happier and less stressed.
Therefore it is also important to consider the harmony of an office when you are looking for new office space. Most elements of a good working environment can be created and altered through simple steps such as the ones I will go on to outline in this article; however take note of the amount of natural light and space when looking for office space to let.
Introducing feng shui into the office does not need to be a military operation with consultants. There are plenty of small things that can be introduced to improve the balance and harmony of your working space.
Here are a few of the simple things you can do to improve the environment you work in:
Clutter: Be sure to keep your general working space free of clutter, as this can contribute to feelings of stress. Through the simple task of keeping your desk area clean, you can allow the chi to flow with ease, therefore having a calming effect on the workspace.
Plants: By having a plant on your desk, you are helping to ease the tension in your immediate vicinity, as these are known to absorb toxins from the air. It will also have the added bonus of making your desk more aesthetically pleasing.
Colour: Assess the colours you are surrounded by in your working environment. Light and vibrant colours can be uplifting and aid creativity. Dark colours can be oppressive and mood altering.
Light: Light is a fundamental element of life; we couldn’t live without it. Therefore it is of no surprise that it is one of the most important elements of good feng shui. If your office doesn’t get huge amounts of natural light, you can buy ‘living’ light bulbs, which comprise of all colours of the spectrum and are better for overall health.
