News
Business aligns with astrology to match staff
Kate Watson-Smyth
11/08/1999
The Independent - London
FOREIGN
Page 9
(Copyright 1999 Newspaper Publishing PLC)
NANCY REAGAN was famous for consulting hers, and the Princess of Wales reportedly never
made a move without taking advice from one. But now the world of business is using astrology
before making crucial boardroom decisions.
Bosses are renowned for making choices based on facts and figures, and in an area where the
bottom line rules it seems unlikely that companies would turn to the stars before appointing new
members of staff. But a new website to be launched tomorrow claims it can warn businesses of
trouble in the boardroom by matching executives according to their astrological compatibility.
YAS Corporation says it could have predicted the fallout between Alan Sugar, the former chairman
of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, and Terry Venables, then his chief executive.
By looking at people's birth dates the company produces detailed character analysis and at Spurs it
would have predicted "constant friction, if suppressed" between the two men. The clue is to be found
in the alignment between Jupiter on Mr Sugar's chart and Mars on that of Mr Venables.
On a positive note, the partnership between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, whose working
relationship has often been the subject of speculation, "will share common ideas about ethics, politics,
and many social values. They will make an excellent business team, especially in any endeavours that
require reaching out to the public".
Peter Mackenis, chief executive of the California-based company, said a number of businesses,
including a mobile phone operation and a City of London bank, had approached him about the
technology.
"Ford never launches a new car without checking the date first, and it is interesting to note that Ford
has the Orion, Aries, Taurus and Mercury," Mr Mackenis said.
"It started as a bit of fun when someone showed me the program, and then I ran a few friends and
colleagues through it and realised it was exactly right," he said.
"You can have an instant rapport with some people and think they would be good to go into business
with, but then you find out that you do nothing but sit about talking about your ideas without actually
achieving anything.
"This technology helps you to decide whether you should actually go ahead.
"People are often sniffy about astrology in public when they think someone might hear, but when
they can check things out in private they go for it. This tool can just give you an extra edge."
Mr Mackenis said the program's software, known as Seer, is more accurate than star signs because
it is based on a person's birth date, which allows it to be more precise than simply using one of the 12
signs of the zodiac.
"We also have a way of predicting how a person's business day will be and whether they should sign
that contract or not, and we will be developing group software that will allow a whole department to
decide if someone should join their team.
"I think it will be used by venture capitalists and consultants. In the same way that graphology is used
increasingly this will be just another tool," Mr Mackenis said.
The site will be free for the first few months while any glitches are ironed out, and after that people
will be allowed two free consultations and then be charged pounds 10 for the next.
If all goes according to plan, as of tomorrow you can look up your own boss - on
www.yourastrologysite.com - and find out if he's going to have a good day or whether you should
pick up that phone and call in sick right now.
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