Feng Shui is a 3000-year old Chinese philosophy
of placement which is based on the principle that our lives
are influenced by the spaces in which we live, and the energy
that moves through that space.
Feng Shui is broken into three basic schools of
thought. But the most popular is regularly referred to as the
intuitive, or Western school of thought, a combination of each
of the other two schools and that favored by Miller and his
consulting business.
Western Feng Shui relies on a number of rules
that involve the symmetry of objects and color in any given
space, "but leaves you the final master," said Miller.
"You are the one who applies it in your particular situation."
He put Feng Shui's local popularity somewhere
in between "hot" and "very hot" throughout
Columbus, making it one of the latest trends in both solving
existing business problems and planning for tomorrow's solutions.
Although some of Miller's principles and examples
raised a few eyebrows in the room, much of the philosophy he
offered is based in common sense and offers practical solutions
to a number of work-related challenges.
Using the "Ba-Gua" - a sort of map of
the nine Feng Shui aspects of life - Miller laid a foundation
for the ultimate symmetry of any office, building, home or cubicle
imaginable. By placing the map over the layout of an office,
for example, one could actually see where each of the nine aspects
lay, and how those aspects influence the placement of people
and/or equipment.
For example, the area of illumination, or fame,
is located directly opposite the entrance to a room or building.
That may be a great place for a speaker to address an audience.
But if that is where the new boss puts his or her desk, it could
be conceived that the new boss is in a place of too much authority
(i.e. intimidation), causing some friction with employees. Better
to push the desk to the right or left a bit, either straddling
the "blessing" area or "relationship" area
of the room, said Miller. He or she is more apt to be better
received there.
Desks should also never face a wall, leaving an
employee's back exposed, said Miller. This literally leaves
the employee vulnerable, he said, and sends the employee's positive
energy bouncing against a blank wall, which can be very tiring.
Corners are also a source of negative energy,
Miller warned. Soften them with a plant or ribbon, and incorporate
plenty of curved lines through furniture and décor to
invite a more positive flow of energy.
Central Ohio IFMA Chapter President Ron Black
said the abundance of vertical and straight lines were of great
concern to planners when designing the new Defense Finance and
Accounting Service building in Whitehall a few years ago. He
and others opted for a curved, rather than linear, building
structure, fostering more of a "campus" atmosphere.
Clutter is also a very common source of negative
energy, said Miller, and one that many people have a tough time
dealing with. "If there is any sense of clutter, it will
deplete the newness of energy," he warned. It only serves
to remind one of the past, which gives little room to grow.
"If your area is physically or emotionally plagued with
the past, get rid of it."
Live plants, like lighting and color, can bring
renewed energy to an office, Miller advised. But get rid of
the dried flowers and potpourri. Although popular in today's
décor, dried flowers are a sign of death, he said. By
removing them from several rooms of a home he was asked to examine,
the once un-sellable home sold in three short weeks. "We
got the dead energy out and the live energy in," said Miller,
confidently. "And it moved."
Today's cubicle offers its own set of Feng Shui
challenges, said Miller. In general, most of these spaces are
plagued with straight lines and angles that need to be corrected.
Color and spot lighting can also add positive energy to a cubicle,
as well as depth-perspective pictures should employees' workstations
be forced to face blank walls.
Basement offices pose their own challenges. But
by introducing natural light, lots of warm colors, and a view,
employees will be much happier in their environment. "Positive
energy comes down the stairs, then can just puddle and die there,"
said Miller. Examine the flow of energy in a basement environment,
and keep it moving, he advised.
Miller also took a critical eye to the meeting
room in which IFMA members were gathered to hear him speak,
and made some practical suggestions. But one thing was for sure
-- the OSU logo curtains got the thumbs up for their curved
lines and continuous flow of energy, always a positive in Buckeye
country.
For more information about how Feng Shui can influence
your work environment, contact Miller at 235-6597, or at pemill@earthlink.net.
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Lin Smirniotopoulos is a woman in love!
She loves her family, working for Continental
Office Environments, living in Columbus and giving back to the
city, working with members of the design community, and last,
but by no means least, she loves IFMA, where she has been an active
member for more than 10 years.
About her family:
"I am a native of Columbus, born and corn
fed. I graduated from Linden-McKinley High School, attended The
Ohio State University and the Columbus College of Art and Design.
In the '80s I moved to a game reserve in the hills of southern
Ohio where I was a flower child and lived from the land.
"There I raised a family that has now grown
to five sons and seven grandchildren. I reside in Upper Arlington,
am happily married to an architect, Dimitri of DSI Architects
in Columbus. We still have two sons living at home, along with
a Black Flatcoat Retriever named Abby."
About her employer:
"I love working for Continental where I am
an architectural and design resource marketing consultant. I have
been there seven years, and each day is unique. The environment
of our Learning and Resource Center is always evolving to keep
up with the newest advances in workplace functionality and technology.
I feel like I belong here; we are truly a family. Everyone works
well together and we have a great team spirit."
About Columbus and the design community:
"I love Columbus. It is my home sweet home,
and I enjoy working with the design community in Columbus. This
city is exploding. I get excited as I discover new projects, watch
the construction erupt from the ground and watch design talents
come to life creating new and exciting environments.
"I am eager to work with local designers
to help find interior resources for their various projects. In
some small way, I feel involved with the development of our city.
Along with the new look this construction is bringing to our community,
it is also bringing new life. Growing up in Columbus, the only
team sport, other than the Buckeyes, was Red Rover. It's thrilling
to watch the city grow with the addition of the Crew and the Blue
Jackets."
About giving:
"I also enjoy the opportunity to give back
to the community. With the support of Continental, I was given
the opportunity to play a key role along with Joyce Cavin, Pat
Ray and Chris Corcoran, in the development of 'Chix with Stix.'
This is an annual design golf outing to aid in the research of
breast cancer at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital at the OSU
Medical Center. Last year this event raised over $12 thousand.
It was a very rewarding experience."
About IFMA:
"I have been an active member of IFMA since
1990. I served as chapter secretary for the past three years and
I am a member of the Community Service Committee. Through IFMA,
I have made many new friends and have built several facility relationships
that have helped me stay aware of day-to-day changes in workplace
issues. These issues aid me daily in my current position with
Continental."
About life:
"I do everything with great passion, always
living life to the fullest. In addition to my association with
IFMA, I am an active member of the American Institute of Architects
and the Linworth Baptist Church. I also work out on a regular
basis at the McConnell Health Heart Center.
"I want to do so many things and I am fortunate
to have many interests. I love to paint -watercolors currently-
and am starting a painting group of designers called 'Art for
Dummies' where we will have guest artists teach classes on various
art mediums.
"I take piano lessons, which I have found
to be an enormous challenge. I enjoy skiing when I can get to
snow and the mountains, and I have a passion for photography,
which anyone at World Workplace can attest to.
"I can also keep a secret!"
Anyone?
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If you didn't know better, you would almost swear
that Jim Tressel, the new Ohio State football coach, came from
Herman Miller, Inc., instead of Youngstown State University.
The tip-off is that Herman Miller, an international
firm engaged primarily in the manufacture and sale of furniture,
furniture systems, products, and services principally for offices,
healthcare facilities, and residential environments, is based
in Zeeland, Mich., and by now everyone knows of Tressel's plans
for Michigan.
However, Tressel's philosophy for success and
that of the 75-year-old company appear quite similar. Perhaps
he bought his office furnishings from the company while at Youngstown
State. For example, those at Herman Miller say:
"Herman Miller built its business by valuing
people and building work environments where people and businesses
thrive. By focusing on people, we have become a leading multinational
provider of office residential, healthcare furniture and services.
. . .The company's award-winning products and its primary furniture-management
services generated nearly $2 billion in revenue in fiscal 2000."
Though Tressel is just beginning his head coaching
association with Ohio State, his credentials show four Division
I-AA national championships, a student graduation rate of 59 percent,
and a deep understanding of "the responsibility and accountability
I have for the people (there's that word again) I have a chance
to be with . . . We can have that impact of excellence done the
right way that will resound around the world."
Herman Miller already "resounds" around
the world with 250 dealerships throughout the United States and
dealerships in at least 64 other countries, including Argentina,
Australia, Canada, Mexico, France and Germany.
And like Tressel, Herman Miller has its share
of firsts: ergonomic seating, frame and wall tile workstations,
panel wall systems, modular and "L" returns, and molding
fiberglass to make furniture to name a few. The company also has
been recognized for its continuous environmental improvement policies
and practices aimed at eliminating waste, conserving natural resources
and protecting the environment.
The company came into being in 1923 when D.J.
DePree and his father-in-law, Herman Miller, and others purchased
the Star Furniture Co. in Zeeland to manufacture traditional home
furniture. In 1931, DePree changed the direction of the company
when he saw the necessity for contemporary furniture design to
address needs rather than to conform to accepted standards.
During the three decades of his leadership, DePree
transformed the company from a small residential furniture concern
to a recognized innovator in contemporary home and office furniture
design. Though still a relatively small company in the early 1950s,
Herman Miller had gained a worldwide following for its modern
furniture designs.
This trend setting is evident today as the company
continues to develop "revolutionary, problem-solving products"
and bring them to market.
If you "zoom-in" on Herman Miller, you
will find the 32-county central Ohio area under the jurisdiction
of three account development managers who assist office furniture
dealers in working out marketing plans that meet their customers'
needs.
Home base for Jack Besanceney, Mark Stuhlmueller
and Rachael Friedman is Continental Office Furniture, 2601 Silver
Dr., Columbus, where most of the numerous Herman Miller product
lines are on display.
Besanceney, who has been with the company for
"all my life, or at least 23 years," says 90 percent
of the company's business in central Ohio comes from the immediate
Columbus area.
He said, "We are on the road most of the
time, but we do work with the Continental sales force to make
calls on customers. Columbus is a very significant market for
the company. Of the 250 dealerships in the U.S., Columbus in the
top five."
Other dealerships are in Cincinnati, Dayton, Cleveland
and Toledo. In all, Herman Miller has 12 employees responsible
for selling its products in Ohio.
Besanceney said Herman Miller has been a sponsor
of the Central Ohio IFMA Chapter for about 10 years, and he has
had an individual membership for about eight. He also expects
to see Stuhlmueller apply for IFMA membership.
"We joined IFMA because it is a way to get
our name out, to get recognized and to get involved with the community.
It's a way to keep us in front of facility managers on both a
social and business basis.
"It's an association that I have really enjoyed
belonging to, and it has many benefits. I particularly enjoy the
golf outings because that's an opportunity for you to loosen up
and not be so formal with clients," Besanceney said.
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