Many of us spend 40 hours or more a week in our workplace, and we are very fortunate indeed, if our place of employment is a place that we enjoy. For those of us who own our own businesses, it is important to understand how the sensory stimulus of your workplace affects both employees and customers. A beautiful, orderly and comfortable workplace will attract loyal patrons. Happy, comfortable, productive employees further the success of the business. Below are some tips for helping you evaluate your workplace, and ideas for different sights, sounds and smells that will help maximize its potential.

Take a minute to visualize the space where you work. Is it organized and orderly, or is it cluttered? How much natural light comes in? What do you see when you look out the windows? Does your workspace use florescent lighting?

Cluttered and untidy workspaces can reduce productivity. It can be very distracting to work around needless clutter. If there is a lot of dust lurking in corners and on shelves, it is a sign of old stagnant energy that needs to be cleared out. Dirty work spaces communicate a lack of attention to detail to the customer, and sometimes much worse. For example, if a restaurant serves food on dirty dishes, the customer might display a fear of contamination.

Lighting can affect attitudes and behaviors of the people working or visiting that space. Natural sunlight is essential for all humans. Natural light is not only beautiful, but it helps people working in a particular space to feel awake and alert. According to studies, florescent lighting causes anxiety in some people. Studies also show that Long term exposure to florescent lighting slows Vitamin A production, affecting a person’s eye sight. Lighting that is too dim can cause fatigue. Colored lights are an excellent way to energize spaces. It is important to create a balance of colors that will stimulate activity, without over-stimulating. See the list of colors below for ideas about lighting, or paint colors that will help create the desired atmosphere at work.

Fresh flowers and beautiful artwork make your workspace feel like a special place to be. Avoid artificial flowers or dead flowers that collect dust. Be sure to clean the glass on all windows and mirrors regularly to encourage natural light.
How noisy is your workspace? Can you hear traffic outside? Are there many phones ringing at once in your workspace? Is there loud machinery nearby? Is there more than one radio on at the same time? Are the music choices appropriate to the atmosphere you intend to create?

Loud noises, or an overabundance of too many sounds, affect attention span and mood in the work place. Be sure that any music played in the workspace is appropriate to the time of day and the atmosphere you seek to create. Loud, abrasive music would not be appropriate in a day spa, for example. If your employees enjoy the radio, consider satellite radio, which is commercial free, reducing auditory distraction. There are also instrumental albums that utilize sound frequency to stimulate brain waves, improving concentration and focus. Create a separate space for any noisy tasks, ideally where some of the sound can be blocked by a heavy door, or other means of creating a quiet space that patrons and employees can enjoy.

How does your workspace smell? Especially in industries related to health. Fresh, clean smells clearly communicate that the space is one committed to wellness. Essential oil diffusers and lamps are a natural way to neutralize unpleasant odors, and energize or relax those within the space. Some oils even have disinfectant properties, reducing air born pathogens during cold and flu season. Rosemary is stimulating to the mind and clarifies thoughts. Sage relieves mental exhaustion and improves memory and concentration. Eucalyptus and Tee Tree oil are purifying and disinfecting.

The comfort and energy of a work space will keep employees happy to be at work, and patrons returning again and again. If your patrons must wait to be serviced, be sure that there are plenty of comfortable seats for them. Make sure to provide comfortable desk chairs and resting spaces for your employees, it will help them to stay consistently energized throughout the day. If you have computers in your office or workspace, place smoky quartz crystals near the machines, to neutralize some of their radiation. Again, staying well organized will save you and your fellow work mates a lot of time and energy. Be committed to combating clutter and finding a logical place for everything. Not only will it show your patrons that you value excellent service, you will also reduce stress and irritation because you will find everything in its place.

A tidy, beautiful, calm and sweet smelling space is one we all enjoy. Go the extra mile to ensure that your place of business instills high standards of ambiance, and you will open your office door to greater abundance all around.

Color therapy for the workplace:

Red: Increases courage, vitality, ambition, alertness and confidence.
Too much red may result in impatience, aggression, hostility and irritability.

Orange: Increases sociability, success and happiness.
Too much orange may cause irritability, frustration and increased appetite.

Yellow: Increases mental clarity, optimism, improves memory and concentration, helps with anxiety, energetic, aids in discernment and decision making.
Too much yellow may cause superficiality and hyperactivity.

Green: Instills peace, Renewal, hope, balance, harmony, self control and stress reduction. Too much green may cause laziness

Blue: Increases communication, creativity, personal expression, calm, decisiveness and health. Too much blue may cause insecurity, pessimism, fatigue and depression.

Violet: Spurs inspiration, creativity, beauty, calms nerves, selfless service and generosity. Too much violet may cause depression, insecurity and a stagnant of suppressed emotions.

References:

1. Gardener, Joy The New Healing Yourself, Natural Remedies for Adults and Children, The Crossing Press, California, 1989.
2. Afua, Queen, Sacred Woman, Ballantine Publishing Group, New York, 2000
3. Cornelio, Marie Williams, Gemstones and Color for Better Health Healing Happiness, Triad Publishing Co, Connecticut, 1985

Health & Quality of Indoor Environment ••• Part 6

Written by Kimberly A. Phipps-Nichols |

The previous five issues were devoted to measures one can take to green a home or lifestyle, and here are some final tips for Greening the Workplace. Most people spend as many hours at work as they do at home, so the workplace is an incredibly important topic. To be “In the Green” in more ways than one, consider the steps below:

1. Turn off computers & printers. Even in sleep mode, they eat electricity. While it may be a small, latent amount, it is still consumption. A good rule of thumb: If you’ll be away from the computer for more than ½ hour, turn it off. Costs nothing and saves money, period.

2. Purchase post-consumer recycled content papers that do not use chlorine bleaches. After printing, return ink and toner cartridges to office supply stores or refill stores for reuse and recycling.

3. Print on both sides of each sheet of paper, and print only what is absolutely necessary. Scan and save documents rather than copying whenever feasible and legal. Send electronic invoices rather than print.

4. Install a water filter system at the kitchen faucet tap and provide employees with reusable cups and glasses. Avoid plastic bottled water – this is not only an environmental issue, plastic water bottles are now a health concern due to leaching of compounds.

5. Initiate a “green team” with various colleagues at work that support recycling, resource conservation and reuse ideals. The team can help remind co-workers and bosses of why these steps are important and ensure that the goals are not compromised.

6. Start car-pooling with coworkers, and ask if your employer offers public transportation or carpooling benefits. Many employers are eligible for tax breaks for providing public transportation and carpooling benefits. It also saves money on gas.

7. Recycle all acceptable containers and paper materials. Make sure there are not only bins in the break room, but that each workstation has a paper-recycling bin.

8. Eliminate “disposables” from office purchases. It saves money and reduces waste. Ask your office manager to consider providing new hires with a refillable pen and pencil set and a company logo thermal mug for their daily coffee.

9. When it’s time to replace the office equipment, purchase or lease Energy Star equipment. In an office environment, approved equipment can save hundreds to thousands of dollars in energy costs. www.energystar.gov

10. If your office is moving or remodeling, be sure to hire a licensed design professional that has documented experience in healthy, high-performance, environmentally responsible projects. The health and welfare of occupants should be their #1 goal.

References:
1. www.energystar.gov

2. www.howstuffworks.com

3. Energy Information Administration www.eia.doe.gov

For more info, contact Kimberly A. Phipps-Nichols, President of Blue Water Studio, at (775) 560-2612.

Written by Jennifer Chang |

Colors can set the tone, good or bad, in work places.  Colors can improve the productivity of and the harmony between workers as well as attract and inspire clients to spend time in an establishment, which in turn can increase revenues.

Certain colors are appropriate for specific businesses, for example, the color yellow may enhance an art gallery, accounting firm, or bookstore, but a negative effect in a jewelry store. A yellow-hued pearl is viewed as too old and lusterless, and thus valueless.  A men or women’s clothing store can be enlivened with bright colors, while a police station should be white. It is seeking to seem incorruptible; white is a pure, pristine color, even bright accent colors should not be used.

Here is a business-by-business list of colors appropriate to various enterprises:

• Film, television or recording studio: white, pink, light green, blue, gray, o black

• Shoe store: white, red, gray, brown; avoid black with white

• Jewelry Store: red, white, blue; avoid yellow

• Executive’s office in creative fields: green, red, sky    blue, multicolored

• Delicatessen: light green, sky blue, bright colors

• Construction firm: white, black, gray, green

• Doctor’s office: green, blue, purple, pink, white

• Men’s clothing shop: one or two colors in a simple color scheme

• Funeral parlor: all white, red, light blue

• Investment firm: white, green, blue, yellow /beige

• Lawyer’s office: white, beige,  yellow, green, blue, gray, black

• Lighting store: white, pink, light blue, light green

• Computer company: green or blue

• Computer store: red, light green, multicolored

• Restaurant: green, blue, multicolored; avoid red in a seafood restaurant

• Wine store: pink, light green, light blue

Reference:

1. Rossbach, Sarah. Interior Design with Feng Shui. Penguin Group, 1987

For more information, contact Jennifer Chang, specializing in Feng Shui for working and living environments, at (775) 530-7100 or email her at Jennifer@secretconnection.net.

By Jennifer Chang |

Feng Shui is using the art of placement and intention to harmonize living environments, but it is also often used in working environments. Many offices have used feng shui to make their businesses more profitable. Banks, restaurants, and corporations in Asia and the U.S. consult feng shui experts before building as well as after they begin business.

The Chinese believe that the fortunes of an entire company rests on the good sitting of its manager or president. That being said, a feng shui consultant starts with the manager’s office. The manager’s desk should sit in the most commanding position to enforce and assert authority over his/her employees.  Authority generally stems from the corner office farthest from the entrance.

Ch’i is affected by computers; computers can be good, stimulating to the office, raising both wisdom and knowledge. However, the computer worker should face the door, never having their back to the door. If nothing can be done about this, they need a mirror facing the door, so that they can see who is entering. In a store or restaurant the cash register should be positioned to give the cashier a good view of the door.

When the entry way to an office faces traffic, a mirror should be placed facing the traffic. The mirror repels the negative flow of Ch’i coming towards the building. The flow of

Ch’i is best thought of as meandering down a pathway that easy to walk through; there should be a clear open passageway and no clutter. This should also be kept in mind when arranging furniture. Sharp edges cut through Ch’i. Whether on desks or walls, sharp edges should be covered with plants or material to soften the flow.

All five elements need to be used inside an office space, to harmonize existing Ch’i and bring forward new Ch’i. The five elements are wood, fire, earth, water and metal. When all of these elements are applied, harmony will be felt not only by the employees, but by the customers too. This will make the office softer and more pleasant to be in.

Colors can set the tone in a working environment as well. The use of the correct colors can improve the productivity in a business, the relationships between workers, and attract and inspire clients to frequent an establishment which in turn helps to increase revenues. Certain colors are particularly effective and appropriate for specific businesses.

Feng Shui may sound mystical but think of one of your own experiences. How do you feel when you walk into a day spa? Starbucks? Have you ever walked into a building or office and you immediately feel relaxed, peaceful and welcomed? That is Feng Shui.

Reference:

1. Interior Design with Feng Shui, Sarah Rossbach, 1987   by the Penguin Group

For more infor, contact Jennifer Chang, specializing in Feng Shui for working and living environments, at (775)530-7100 or email her at Jennifer@secretconnection.net.

Question:

What Feng Shui guidelines are suggested for seating guests at a dinner party?

Answer:

The practice of placing guests of different genders next to each other is excellent for ensuring good yin and yang balance. Round tables are always preferred to rectangular tables, but rectangular tables are better than T-shaped or L-shaped arrangements. If the number of guests is higher than the number of chairs you have available, it is better to make it a buffet dinner rather than adding chairs in order to have a sit down dinner.

Some suggestions of what NOT to do:

• Never seat anyone at the corner edge of a square or rectangular table or directly facing a protruding corner.

• Never seat anyone directly facing a toilet door.

• Never seat anyone directly underneath an overhead beam.

When entertaining friends or family, never serve coffee or tea in a cup with a chipped rim or drinks in a chipped glass. Drinking from a cup with even the smallest chip symbolically cuts the mouth and brings bad luck. This also affects one’s speech negatively; what you say may get you in trouble. The Chinese believe that drinking from a chipped cup or glass, or eating from a chipped bowl, causes one’s livelihood to suffer from bad luck.

Question:

In Feng Shui, what is considered an inappropriate gift?

Answer:

Any gift that is sharp, pointed, or may represent aggression (ie, knives, tools, wine bottle opener, or scissors) carries extremely negative energy and causes bad Feng Shui for the recipient of your gift.

Question:

What is Chi and is it really that important?

Answer:

Chi is living energy!

Chi flows through the veins of the earth giving life to land, trees, and streams. It is often interpreted as electromagnetic energy, but magnetic fields only make up a part of this spiritual force that is present everywhere.

Feng Shui operates on the principle that if an individual collects the Chi of their surroundings, it will improve the flow of Chi in their bodies and will enhance their health, wealth, and happiness.

There are various ways to look at man. From the viewpoint of science, man moves by his bones, muscles and nerves. In Feng Shui, man is activated by his Chi. Chi moves the hand and man can write; Chi moves the legs and man can walk; Chi moves the brain and man can think.

You can actually say that Chi is mans essential, original life force.

References:

1. Easy-to-Use Feng Shui, 168 Ways to Success, by Lillian Too,

Sterling Publishing Co., Inc, 1998

2. Feng Shui for the Soul, by Denise Linn,  Hay House, 1999

For more information, contact Jennifer Chang, specializing in Feng Shui for working and living environments, at (775)852-6358.

By David Neeser |

Having fun in the workplace is an important component of occupational wellness. While play can boost productivity and general wellness, a sterile, dull and play-free working environment can – and are likely to – lead to an increased turnover of staff. Overworked staff are likely to take time out to have fun anyway; so a savvy employer will understand the positive effect of play on its staff and seek to include specific periods in the working day for such activities.

Many countries around the world understand the benefit of incorporating fun into the workplace. In some countries, health promotion boards offer grants to organizations, to encourage health, sports and physical therapy programs in the workplace. Asian and European countries have sponsored corporate sports teams for generations.

In the US, the “dot com” companies seem to do the best job of making their workplace fun and productive. While fringe benefits aren’t always affordable, accessible or even realistic for most companies, there are easy ways to make your workplace more fun without great cost or creating an unprofessional atmosphere.

One of the biggest challenges of staff engaging in non-work activities, however, is that they may disturb other employees nearby who are trying to work. Organizations should consider separate lounge space where staff can switch off from work without impacting other employees.

Companies looking for a more traditional way to inject fun into the office might want to consider teambuilding activities that can be held in the office facility or a nearby location. Not only will coworkers get a breather from their normal routine, they will learn more about each other and develop a healthy camaraderie.

Organizing formal activities during staff breaks for employees is an option. Sports competitions, recreational activities, yoga, Pilates or fitness sessions can all help staff to let off steam and boost concentration levels. Formalizing such  activities will not only encourage team building among staff, but will also reduce the potential to waste work time when employees are least productive.

Remember also that many staff will only participate in organized activities when they have appropriate changing or shower facilities. Few people want to engage in physical activity in their work clothes and then sit in sweaty clothes in the office for the rest of the afternoon.

In any case, a little workplace fun can go a long way to improve morale. It isn’t very difficult to make the workplace more fun, and you will certainly see results if you or your company make the effort to liven up the daily routine.

References:

1. www.ihrsa.org

2. www.welcoa.org

3. www.ssc.gov.sg/publish/Corporate/en/our_services0/grants/workplace_health_.html

For more info call David Neeser at 775-473-0801.

By Jenn August, Success Coach & Hypnotherapist, and Sonali Chapron, C.A.P. Business Coach & Marketing Consultant |

“People don’t care what you know until they know that you care”

- John Maxwell.

Q: How can I generate more revenue for my business?

A: Well, you may have heard that the fortune is in the follow-up. It’s true. On average, it takes someone up to seven exposures to your marketing message before they will buy from you. So, follow-up, follow-up, follow-up!

Q: I have current clients, potential clients and inactive clients. How do I keep track of all of them?

A: You need a tracking system, known in the business world as a CRM (customer relationship management). It’s an electronic database where you keep a record of all your clients, potential clients and inactive clients. You’ll save yourself hundreds of hours, tons of mental energy and thousands of dollars if you just enter all your leads and clients into your CRM. But there’s another vital step than most people don’t take, which is to schedule follow-up reminder alerts.

A CRM is also a great place to keep track of all your notes from all your interactions with them. When you ask them how their kids little league baseball game went (because you wrote a note of it in CRM)  you have created trust and a deeper connection with that person. They know that you care and they care what you know.

For more info, call Jenn August 775-219-4901.

Time & Energy Management

for Your Sanity & Prosperity

By Jenn August |

Q: I need more energy to do all the tasks required to run my business – what do you recommend?

A: This is a big one for Heart Based Entrepreneurs.  Make a list of all of the activities you need to do for your business. Assess which ones drain you and which ones give you energy. Don’t spend too much time on the tasks that are a drain.

Q: What if I need to do those tasks to run my business?

A: Tasks that you resist and that drain you will cost you more money and energy than you may realize. The best use of your time is to do the activities that you are good at and that charge your battery. Of the tasks you find draining, pick one that you really really don’t want to do. Hire someone to do it that charges less per hour than you charge. This will free you up to focus on moneymaking activities you enjoy. Bring in more help as your business grows. Imagine only doing what you LOVE! Isn’t that a big reason why you are in business for yourself?

For more info, call Jenn August, Success Coach & Hypnotherapist at 775-219-4901.