Before meeting the client, he will study their office floor plan and log onto Google Maps to form a better understanding of the building's location.

"Feng shui deals with the natural environment. We try to harness the kind energy and avoid unkind energies," he says.

His advice ranges from the office layout to the right color of staff uniform to changing light bulbs and fixing cracked tables -- particularly if they are located in the southern corner of the office, which signifies fire and passion.

He will also vet potential staff by looking at photos and birth dates. A person born in the summer months of a Snake year is best suited to back office work, says Kuek, referring to one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

"Whereas if you are born in the year of the Bull, born in winter, these people need to be out front meeting people and being aggressive," he adds.

Kuek is down-to-earth and his language is peppered with terms from his day job -- selling stocks and shares for an investment bank.

His background in finance makes corporate clients more comfortable and none of his co-workers find his sideline strange, he says.

Kuek's clients also include multinational companies that find they have to take matters like feng shui seriously as they expand in Asia.

For example, auction house Sotheby's only began work on its new office space in Hong Kong last year after a feng shui master chose an auspicious date. And in Sydney, the Star City Casino has added a "feng shui awning" as part of a $760 million redevelopment.

Dr Michael Mak, from the University of Newcastle in Australia, studies how feng shui can be used in urban design and architecture from what he calls a scientific stand point.

He says there is "soft data" in the form of surveys and interviews that suggests buildings that adhere to feng shui principles make their occupants happier -- be it a shopping mall, office block or a hospital.

And he points to the popularity of atriums or courtyards that bring the natural environment into a building as one way the principles of feng shui are manifested in modern architecture.

Mak is skeptical of the cosmic claims of "popular" feng shui and says it's an area that needs to be looked at more critically.

Feng shui advice does not come cheap and there have been a number of scandals involving unscrupulous practitioners.

Kuek charges HK$10,000 ($1,300) for a consultation for an office under 200 square foot and up to HK$50,000 ($6,500) for a 2,000 to 5,000 square foot office.

Chau says he has come across some bad masters. One adviser told him to paint his office walls black. Another pedaled expensive feng shui objects.

Despite this, Chau has not been put off and will be making an appointment to see how he and his business will fare in the Year of the Snake.

"Feng shui cannot make things happen but it can assist you and make things easier."