West Meets East©

By Caroline Patrick BorNei

Certified Red Ribbon Professional of the International Feng Shui Guild

Practice Leaping Forward for New Business Like the Tiger of 2010

I am often asked what motivates me to write a weekly column for the newspaper. I don’t have to “look” very far to activate the process. Each day brings many things to mind and it is hard to choose one subject as my brain seems to never stop thinking. My birth date revels that the element of Metal is very prevalent. Metal people can think too much and/or talk too much. On the good side of this trait, knowledge is our drug of choice. Just think, soon the Chinese Metal Tiger of 2010 will be leaping forward. Wonder what he is thinking? This article came to me in another discussion with a client who wants more business but seldom answers the phone! Be like the Metal Tiger who will leap forward to answer the phone and listen to what his client has to say.

The idea behind the story came from two experiences recently. One was a meeting of like minds having great difficulty with their current business. The speaker had asked those in the group if they were answering the phone or were they getting back to the caller later. After a tally, it seemed those who grouped their calls for a later call back were not getting business like the ones with a receptionist or the personal touch of a live person. Thought it was interesting and personally feel this is a big plus in my experience.

Right now I am waiting for a carpenter I met on Monday and said he would get back to me the same afternoon. He put lovely closets in for me on that day and we planned for him to do much more work this following week. He also made the remark, that he always is on time – and answers the phone! I am in limbo with boxes piled around my loft waiting for his call. He also mentioned he needs business badly. I have called him twice for instructions on what to pick up and when. This could be a blessing to me he has not returned my call, who knows, but am getting another guy’s number this evening if he doesn’t respond, as I have Christmas company coming and can’t find my forks and plates and must unpack – I need shelves and an island. A loft is fun, but has no storage.

The second experience came ten days ago, when I tried to get hold of a Feng Shui company to place an $1,800 order for a client. They had called me a few weeks ago saying they really needed the business and asking if I would consider using them. After waiting as long as I could for a response, I finally called the second-choice company which I have used for years, is very fast and reliable, and has a friendly person on the other line to fill the order. They shipped it the same day. My client needs me to finish the adjustments in his buildings this month. This morning, after two weeks, the company that needed orders emailed me and apologized for the delay, so they lost my business.

My tips for anyone wanting to go into business are:

Be sure you are following your bliss and money will appear.

Be sure to advertise and follow any leads promptly.

Be willing to make that 7 a.m. speaking engagement.

Make cold calls, at least 9 for 27 days, or 27 for 9 days, a natural completion cycle number.

Use a land line, if possible, for good communication.

If you are working at home, have a private office with no interruptions during certain hours.

Answer the phone and email promptly.

Love what you do and live in a balanced space.

Oops, sorry got carried away with myself!

Happy Holidays,

C.

Greetings to all,

I have opened my new offices in Portland and delighted with the changes.

Much of my work has expanded to Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, California and other locations, which makes Portland a pivotal location for travel, teaching, speaking and the arts. My new living space is at MILEPOST 5. A community for The Arts and is 15 minutes from the airport.

I will be traveling to Canada, China and Arizona in-between the relocation, so the phone number above is the best way to stay in touch for now (also email) ... Call (503) 208-2960 for easy phone consultations and on-site. Designing Space, Health Issues or evaluating corporate problems is my specialty. Check for schedules in your area www.moongateschool.com.

Thank you for your continued support. Stay focused and let the OX of 2009 plow the fields of opportunity, but decide NOW what you want planted .......for 2010. Be ready when the Tiger leaps forward with your decisions.

Blessings and good Chi,

Caroline Patrick BorNei Certified Feng Shui Consultant

Red Ribbon Professional of

the International Feng Shui Guild

www.fengshuiartistry.com

caroline@fengshuiartistry.com