For business professionals, negotiations with partners are a regular occurrence. However, paying attention to certain Feng Shui details can help tilt the scales in your favor. From a Feng Shui perspective, here are key considerations for your next business meeting.
1. Choosing the Negotiation Venue
A core principle in Feng Shui for business talks is to negotiate on your “home turf” or at a neutral, third-party location. The least advantageous scenario is to negotiate at the other party’s premises.
When planning a negotiation with a client, insist on selecting the location yourself. Either your own office or a neutral venue like a quiet café or a conference center are excellent choices. The crucial point is to avoid going to the other party’s office or a location they have specified.
Furthermore, during the entire negotiation process, your team members should avoid taking bathroom breaks. Leaving the table mid-discussion is believed to disrupt your side’s momentum and focus.
2. The Strategic Importance of Your Seat
The seating arrangement during negotiations holds significant importance. When choosing your seat, try to avoid facing the North, West, or Northwest directions.
If you cannot easily determine the exact compass directions in a meeting room, a simple rule of thumb is this: never sit on the right-hand side of your negotiation partner.
This stems from the principle of “Left Green Dragon, Right White Tiger.” The White Tiger side (the right) symbolizes a challenging, aggressive energy. Sitting there may make you feel subdued and less powerful.
If you find the other party has already taken a seat that puts you on their right, it is advisable to change your position. Otherwise, you risk being symbolically overpowered throughout the discussion.
3. Be Cautious About Lodging Arrangements
Exercise caution when accepting accommodation arranged by your business partner, as this can similarly lead to symbolic “financial leaks.”
For instance, some hotel room layouts might have all water faucets pointing in a specific direction. The belief is that when you turn on the tap, your “water” (a metaphor for wealth and resources) flows directly toward your partner, symbolically draining your financial energy.
Reportedly, this strategic setup is not only considered in Feng Shui-conscious Asian cultures but is even rumored to be employed in places like casinos in Las Vegas, USA, to subtly influence the fortunes of guests.