feng shui LAUPTOWN Exclusives corporate special section a how-to guide the business mogul

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1 CSQ L A U P T O W N TM C- S U I T E Q U A RT E R LY Las Vegas City Center corporate feng shui a how-to guide Magic Johnson the business mogul by Michael J Herman + special section Network Your Way to the top LAUPTOWN Exclusives Tra di Noi Chef Alberto Vazquez & Mediterraneo De L'esprie California Sculpture Studio Oliver Peoples Jodye Marder Support For The Kids The Heart Foundation Q $5.95 from hidden valley to hidden hills and over to malibu CSQMag.com I

2 CSQ contributors Helen Arabanos is the owner and primary consultant of Full Bloom Feng Shui. She is a graduate of the Western School of Feng Shui in San Diego, CA and has also studied with several feng shui masters including Master Cheung of Hong Kong and currently Master Younger who resides in the Seattle area. She is a former Director for and is a current member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the International Feng Shui Guild. Arabanos is also a member of the International Feng Shui Association, the Feng Shui Network and the Feng Shui Professional Association and gives frequent introductory feng shui talks at the Whole Foods Market in Thousand Oaks. Graeme Monaghan was born in Melbourne, Australia just prior to the Second World War. He left high school at 15, excelling at mathematics and sport and eventually played both cricket and Aussie Rules at the senior level. Later he became coach, administrator, and president of the Perth Cricket Club. Throughout his diverse career he has been a publican, laborer, shearer, sketch artist, public servant and inventor (holding several patents). He moved to Thailand in the early 1990 s and has worked as a writer and author. Monaghan lives in Chiang Mai with his wife. Gordon Durich worked at the ICA, London and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, before moving to America. As a graphic artist and writer, he has written for Art Link, in Australia, and magazines including Vive la Vie, The Bulletin and Beat. In California, Gordon specializes in Art Editing and has worked for Lifescapes magazine and other publicationsm including Time Out in the Ventura County Star. He currently serves as Director of Public Relations for the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley and has exhibited works at group shows, including those in Malibu and Lake Sherwood. Jim Morrissey was born in LaRochelle, France as a result of his father bouncing around Europe in the United States Army. He is one of 4 boys in his family. He excelled at sports from a young age and eventually was a 3 sport all-scholastic at Hanover Area High in Hanover Township Pennsylvania. He attended Wilkes University where he excelled at baseball and was an All Middle Atlantic conference catcher. and eventually played minor league ball with the Giants and Hamilton Cardinals. He was a successful coach in Baseball and Head Coach in Football. He has been writing for many years and one of his hobbies is inventing, where he holds a U.S. patent. He loves his two children more anything in the world and has studied and written about numerous aspects of business.

3 CSQ Health & wellness 風水 Corporate Feng Shui 54 CSQMag.com

4 Designing an office that encourages positive energy and efficiency by Helen Arabanos Feng shui, (pronounced fung shway) the ancient Chinese art of placement, is quickly gaining popularity in the West and becoming as American as McDonald s. In fact, several McDonald s locations, including one in Los Angeles, have recently been remodeled using feng shui principles. Feng Shui is said to literally translate to wind water, which implies balance; native speakers of the Chinese Language translate feng shui as positive vibes. The practice is more indepth than most people realize and many are surprised to learn that it has a psychological basis. A word often used in feng shui discussions is chi. This refers to the positive energy that is created when a room is in balance. Developed several thousands of years ago in China, feng shui was originally used to determine locations for villages or structures. It is now translated to recreate the balance and harmony of nature into interior design. This is done in part by using the 5-Element Theory: the balance of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water energies. When placed intentionally and in specific combination with each other, it creates a soothing, peaceful environment that is felt but not always seen. Feng shui is about how a space feels when you are in it safety and comfort first, then beauty. Feng shui principles can be applied to any environment: a home, an office, a garden, a room, even a desktop. The following are examples of how to incorporate feng shui when designing and managing the office experience. CSQMag.com 55

5 The lobby or reception area in an office is believed to be one of the most important areas. Ideally, the door should open easily and freely, no sticking or creaking, with a greeter placed inside to welcome visitors. This greeter can be a person with a warm, friendly smile sitting at the front desk, a friendly statue on a table or a beautiful painting on the wall. It is important to keep the greeter far enough away from the door to draw the visitor in but close enough to immediately catch their eye when they open the door, giving them a sense of being welcomed into the room. Conference rooms are another important area in an office. This is where ideas are generated and teamwork is built. Fishbowl-type conference rooms, although they have many positive aspects, are not without pitfalls. They are a great way to share a beautiful view with everyone when there isn t a conference in session. However, when people feel like they are being observed, some tend to keep their thoughts to themselves and sit silently while others will make extra effort to prove themselves by overtaking the conversations. Avoid this by installing blinds or curtains that can be drawn for privacy during a meeting. It will eliminate distractions and keep the meeting focused. Be sure the person leading the meeting is seated in a power position. This means they have a clear view of the door in front of them and their back is protected by a solid wall behind them. If people with opposing views are being brought together, do not have them sit facing each other across the table as this can spark the rivalry. If possible, try to seat them on the same side of the table with a neutral person between them. When a small group is meeting in a large conference room, gather them at one end of the table. If they spread out it will be difficult for them to feel like a cohesive group and, thus, the project they are working on could be compromised. The cubicles that are common in many modern offices wreak havoc on employee moral. The employees have no privacy and are seated vulnerably with their back unprotected as people constantly pass behind them or even stop and look over their shoulder without being noticed. To remedy this, consider upgrading to cubicles that have sliding doors for privacy or add a small rear view mirror in each cubicle, placed specifically so the employee can see movement behind them without watching themselves in it. Remember if you can move freely and easily through a space, then chi energy can too, bringing harmony, flow and prosperity to the space. So keep halls and doorways clear. Corners are referred to as poison arrows giving a person the sense of being attacked. Camouflage them by placing a plant, a lamp or a soft fabric draped in front of them. It is especially 56 CSQMag.com Illustrations by Miguel Montalvo

6 important not to seat someone with a corner pointed toward them. Be sure to bring nature indoors by adding plants, water features or pictures of nature. And finally, listen to employees. If they don t like the furniture or art work, consider changing it. If they feel good in their environment they will be Definition: Chi The positive energy that is created when a room is in balance happier, more productive and will likely stick around longer. It takes energy to avoid unpleasing items energy that could be used for projects. To encourage thought flow, keep all areas clear of clutter. Avoid having a lot of files and other storage in or near where employees are working; these files usually create stagnant energy and can cause lethargy and distraction for employees trying to concentrate. Many offices have lots of wood and metal energy which can be overwhelming and off-putting. Be sure to balance this with soft items such as throw pillows in the lobby, warm colors and pictures that are soothing and relaxing. Keep in mind that blue is a color that aids knowledge and self-awareness but too much can give a space a feeling being cold and aloof. Feng Shui Tips for CEO Office Holiday EXPO 10am to 5pm Sunday, November 2 nd Your Health Connection presents the Holiday Health Expo Come join YHC Magazine for a ONE DAY ONLY Holiday Health Expo. This event will feature great gift ideas and lots of information to keep you updated on the latest and greatest in Total Wellbeing. Beauty & Fitness Consultations Health Screenings Nutritional Information Gift Baskets & Certificates FREE samples, and so much more! Be sure his/her desk has a solid wall behind it for support. Place desk in power position so that the door is forward but not directly in front of the desk. It s best to locate the CEO s office at the furthest point opposite and diagonal from the main door to the office suite; if this is unclear or is not feasible, locate the CEO in the Southeast area of the suite. CEO s direct subordinates should not be located on a higher floor than the CEO. For more information and to PRINT YOUR FREE TICKET ($5.00 at the door if not printed) go to or call to reserve one of the 55 plus booths! Do not hide the CEO by having access to his/her office only through the office of their Secretary or Administrative Assistant. Hyatt Westlake Plaza Grand Ballroom This Holiday Showcase is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC yh hc