With so many of their employees working from home, US companies report that their need for Cones of Silence has declined by over 85 percent since 2019.
The clear plastic bubbles that lower from the ceiling to muffle confidential conversations were first made popular by the 1960s TV show “Get Smart.” Some companies with secrets to keep – financial institutions, software makers, barber colleges, etc. – began utilizing them in real life, and by 2010 they could be found in about 1500 US businesses.
Then over the next ten years – when reducing transparency began to take priority over concepts like improving morale and building reputation – that number skyrocketed to more than a million.
Today, most of them sit idle.
“Before the pandemic we had cones in all 53 executive offices,” says Andy Werman, CFO of Houston accounting firm Petters Plotting. “They cost us $950,000 apiece, which shows our strong commitment to keeping people in the dark.” Company secrets ranged from the cafeteria’s recipe for poached salmon to a comprehensive plan for streamlining the tying up of loose ends.
“Today there aren’t a whole lot of people around to keep secrets from,” says Werman. The firm requires just two cones to remain viable, he says, and is looking to sell the other 51 at the bargain price of just $150 each – or $250 per pair.
“We’re trying to recoup just a portion of our investment,” says Werman, adding that he’s also offering free delivery and set-up, plus a year’s supply of crullers or lemon tarts.
