In order to bring a level of festivity to this issue, we will turn our attention to the Chinese New Year. How does Chinese New Year relate to facilities? As it is typical, this column strives to introduce facility-centric ideas that are generally off the radar, but can generate a positive return on investment and enhance showroom environments for customers and employees alike.
Therefore, in the spirit of the year of the Goat, we will take a closer look at the ancient tradition of Feng Shui (pronounced Fung Shway).
Originating in China, Feng Shui has been practiced for centuries and is intended to enhance conditions for success.
Feng Shui studies how humans interact with physical spaces and environments. It focuses on flow and energy, is believed to enhance quality of life, and it enables prosperity.
In fact, there are Feng Shui Masters all around the world that provide consultation on how to maximize positive energy and flow in their homes — and businesses!
Unfortunately, I am not a Feng Shui Master. However, we will touch on a few key areas of your dealership and summarize some basic principles that can help your facility emanate a positive environment to your clients and employees.
THE ENTRANCE
Your entrance is the gateway for your customers to interact with you. According to Feng Shui, the entrance should be clearly marked, tidy and well lit.
In order to ensure positive flow into the dealership, all front doors should be open. You would be amazed at how many dealerships only open one of the double doors at the entrance. Pulling on a locked door immediately puts a halt to the positive energy entering into your showroom.
A WARM RECEPTION
In order to invite positive energy into your store, a receptionist or greeter should be visible upon entering. A smiling and energetic face to a customer is key to maintaining the flow of positive energy entering with the customer. In addition, various paths for your customer’s journey should be evident.
Also note that Feng Shui discourages the alignment of front and back doors, as this encourages people and their flowing energy to leave the building immediately upon entering.
PLANTS AND TREES
Plants have multiple purposes in Feng Shui. They help purify the air and they bring life into a stale environment. They represent growth, prosperity and luck. Plants are living things and can bring both positive and negative energy.
Plants with air purifying capabilities include Dracaena’s, Ficus, Ivy, and various Palms. Plants associated with money include the Jade Tree and the Pachira Aquatica bonsai tree.
In Feng Shui, how you treat your plants can be an indicator of the positive energy in your business. A plant or tree can only bring positive energy if it is in good health. A well- maintained plant will be vibrant, have strong roots and grow all year round. Aren’t these the traits your business is striving to achieve anyway? So if you’re going to decorate your dealership with a plant, make sure you water it!
PURIFIED AIR
It is important in Feng Shui that the air we breathe is clean and fresh. The quality of air has a big impact on our levels of energy. Our Canadian climate basically encourages closed doors in the hot months of summer and the cold months of winter.
Lack of fresh air and exhaust when moving showroom vehicles can lead to negative air energy and flow. Duct cleaning a few times a year, and taking advantage of fresh air flows in moderate temperatures will help enhance air quality and breathability in your dealership.
Fresh air also contributes to employee alertness and general satisfaction. If planning a new build, geothermal heating and cooling is also a great way to keep comfortable temperatures without constantly blowing hot and/or cold air into a physical space.
MAINTAIN YOUR SURROUNDINGS
It is said in a few Feng Shui books I perused, that one should take care of one’s place of business, as one takes care of one’s self. The positive energy that comes with a well-maintained space is under-rated. Perhaps it is a creaky doorway that agitates your sales manager, a pothole on your lot that irritates your Service manager, or a broken tile in the showroom that a customer notices. These types of maintenance issues should be avoided without adding bad energy to the customer journey.
DE-CLUTTER
Perhaps the most critical concept to allow positive ‘Chi’ in Feng Shui is to eliminate clutter. Clutter takes away positive energy.
Reducing the amount of ‘stuff’ in your showroom space presents a calm environment to work with customers. Piled papers, poster overload, wire management spaghetti and an abundance of personal trinkets are great places to start the de-cluttering process. After all, the focus should be on the vehicles in the showroom and the quality service being offered.
And with a little bit of luck and good fortune, Feng Shui will not only increase your sales, but also bring positive experiences to your customers and employees throughout the new year!
