This Extreme Hotel Has Serious Silos

Composed in Akron, Ohio--

I've got a new, long-term consulting client in Ohio.  They originally hired me to teach their executive team to be better speakers.  In addition, they now have me teaching their directors and sales people to give better presentations. 

Congrats to the company's COO, who quickly caught himself siloing areas of his organizational chart.  To his credit, he quickly realized there was no good reason to deny anyone valuable training on how to be a better speaker.

"Siloing" is a business term to describe what happens when companies use departmental distinctions to isolate groups of people.  It's generally viewed as an unhealthy, unsanctioned practice, yet it's common and hard to stop.  My hotel tonight has given new meaning to the term "siloing."

My Akron client has put me up in what might be the most unique hotel I've ever stayed in.

The Crowne Plaza at Quaker Square bills itself as the most unique hotel in America.  It's constructed from the old Quaker Oats manufacturing silos and every room of the hotel is round! There are 36 silos, which are 120 feet tall and 24 feet in diameter.

The history of the Quaker Oats company is fascinating.  Founded by Ferdinand Schumacher, the company provided oats to Civil War troops.  Henry Parsons Crowell was the company's marketing genius.  Quaker was the the first significant food label and the first American company to use packaging as a sales lure. 

It was the first nationally advertised food product and the first cereal to have a registered trademark (1877).  The Quaker man became the company's face and image.  Quaker Oats were sold worldwide by 1910.

The University of Akron has bought this landmark hotel and plans to convert it into a dormitory.  They are stuck with the silo format.  It's not easy to get rid of siloing at this hotel or in other businesses.