Indiana Chamber Recognizes The Midas Center As Finalist in Employer of the Year

Indiana INTERNnet, Inc., a statewide internship resource provided by the Indiana Chamber, has named The Midas Center as a finalist for the Employer of the Year in recognition of its 2010 student internship program. The awards program will take place in Indianapolis on February 10, 2011 at the Indiana Chamber Conference Center beginning at 11:30 a.m. People interested in attending the event may register at www.indianaintern.net or call IndianaINTERNnet, Inc. at 317-264-7536. The Indiana Chamber is the largest business advocacy organization in the state.

The Midas Center’s program caught the Chamber’s attention because of the leadership opportunities it offered in local business development and new technology. Owner Andrea Cook comments, “One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been obtaining projects that provide jobs and empower other creative professionals. Working with younger individuals challenges me to keep learning all the evolving technology solutions.”

Intern Camden Robertson, a 2010 graduate of Plymouth High School, was given an opportunity to learn and practice business development skills with the launch of iHEARTplymouth.com. This social media resource was created to improve the quality of life and economic development for local communities and was rolled out during his summer internship program. "The internship has really proved to be beneficial to me in so many aspects,” said Robertson. “My time management has gotten a lot better. My experience at The Midas Center has not only improved my communication skills with some important customers, but the fact that I have experience in sales and marketing via an Internet platform puts me above many of my coworkers that are my age. I’m grateful for my experience there." Robertson is now a student at DePaul University in Chicago.

The Midas Center is a full-service creative communications agency located in downtown Plymouth that provides professional marketing, advertising, public relations and branding services to businesses and organizations. For information about internships at The Midas Center, please contact Andrea Cook, President, by phone at 574-936-7058 or by e-mail >

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Free Music Winner

We are happy to announce the winner of the iheartplymouth.com free music giveaway contest.

Congratulations Abigail Stopczynski for being the iHEART member randomly selected to win a $25 iTunes gift card.

The Midas Center and iHEARTplymouth are dedicated to help promote businesses and organizations. iHEARTplymouth is a free resource for everything we all LOVE about Plymouth! With 177 members and up to almost 900 hits a day, iHEARTplymouth has received over 20,000 views since its launch this summer. If you are interested in contributing photos, articles or announcements, feel free to share. You may visit www.iheartplymouth.com to add your event or information, or send your announcement by email >

Congratulations Abigail for winning! We're glad to have you as part of iHEARTplymouth!

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Networking Breakfast This Thursday

The Midas Center is pleased to invite local business owners and leaders interested in networking to this month's Plymouth Business Connections, a monthly networking event open to the public.

Anyone interested in networking may attend. This event is spearheaded by Angie Stults, Branch Manager of Plymouth PNC and is scheduled for the second Thursday of the month.

This month's networking opportunity will be hosted by The Midas Center at 100 W. Garro Street in downtown Plymouth. Street parking available on Garro and Michigan Street. Light breakfast refreshments will be available.

Bring a colleague and your business cards and meet other likeminded professionals.

If you have any questions e-mail Angie Stults at angela.stults@pnc.com.

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iHEARTplymouth.com Free Music Giveaway

We are pleased to support the efforts of iHEARTplymouth.com in its upcoming launch this summer. iHEARTplymouth.com is a free resource for everything you love about Plymouth, Indiana. It is designed for community growth by offering an opportunity for local businesses and organizations to "get the word out" to the public on: local events, activities, fundraising opportunities and more! Show your support for your favorite pizza joint, best ice cream or announce your neighborhood garage sale. Find information on locally posted items for sale from Craigslist, job opportunities, free giveaways and sales. This source is for the community and content is shared by the community.

From now until July 4th, The Midas Center will be running a contest called iHEARTplymouth.com Free Music Giveaway. Here are the details on how you can participate to win:

1. Sign up and become a member to iHEARTplymouth.com. It is free and there are many benefits including one-click posting from here to your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

2. Customize your member page with a photo of yourself or the organization or business you are representing. Join at least one of the eleven groups (such as Arts and Culture, Let's Go Shopping, Resale Shopping, Good Eats, Sports and Fitness, Parks and Recreation, Beyond Plymouth, Learning Center, Business to Business, For Your Health and Community Groups).

3. Invite friends. Share the love iHEARTplymouth.com has to offer to your friends and family members who have a connection to Plymouth, Indiana. Not only are you helping to build a community for us to enjoy, you are also providing an opportunity for your friends to enter in the contest too!

4. Complete the steps above by July 4, 2010 and you will be entered to win an iTunes gift card. Many will enter, only the luckiest one will win free music; all will win a bigger love for Plymouth!

Good luck!

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The Midas Center Welcomes New Team Members

The Midas Center, a full service communications agency located in downtown Plymouth is proud to officially announce three new members to the Midas team. New team members Michael Bergman, Brandy Coomer and Shannon Samuelson bring the perfect amount of creativity and technical expertise to help The Midas Center meet its main objective: to help organizations and businesses succeed in the marketplace.

With over 50 years of collective experience serving global corporations, professional service firms, government agencies, political campaigns and nonprofit organizations, this latest addition will position The Midas Center to better serve Michiana’s business leaders and ultimately foster growth for the community’s commerce.

In addition to helping current and future clients, this expansion also provides local employment opportunities. “One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been getting projects that provide jobs and empower other creative professionals,” remarks Andrea Cook, The Midas Center’s Founder and President.

Michael Bergman, account executive speaks on his new position, "I'm proud to join The Midas Center team, in a downtown building that bears my family name on its Michigan Street exterior," said Bergman. "My roots are in Plymouth, I'm finally 'home' and share Andrea's vision for a revitalized, green, downtown Plymouth and a business that supports economic development in Marshall County."

Recently relocated from Chicago, The Midas Center opened its doors at 100 W. Garro Street and since October has provided a variety of services for local clients including Culver United Methodist Church, Earthworks, Lake Maxinkuckee Envrionmental Council, HanggUp, Imaginary Art School, inSPIRATIVE art center, Marshall County Neighborhood Center, Recycle Depot and Sorian. From web sites, social media programs, visual identities and public relations, The Midas Center has provided a customized approach based on each client’s vision, need and budget.

In six short months The Midas Center has reached out to local business to offer free monthly workshops. This series of Brown Bag lunch workshops have included topics such as web site basics, social media and branding. Wednesday, April 28th will be the final free workshop and is a WILDCARD. The public is welcome to vote for the preferred topic to be presented by visiting The Midas Center on Facebook.

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Successful Brands Motivate and Build Trust

The Midas Center's main objective is to help businesses and organizations succeed. We do that by trying to build a solid brand that contains an image and message that is credible, attractive and motivating. To do this, it takes creativity to develop the right elements and manage the right media mix.

A successful brand takes investment in both time and money. It takes more than just a logo and copy to have the power to reinforce your brand and motivate the public to act.

In an article titled, Harris Poll Finds: St. Jude's Research Hospital and Susan G Komen for the Cure are among Most Trusted Non-Profits written in Business Wire shows the top ten brands of non-profits. It refers to a study by EquiTrend® that, "evaluates measures including: Equity, Customer Connection, Commitment, Energy, Brand Behavior, Brand Advocacy, and Trust. The keystone to the program is Equity, which provides an understanding of a brand’s overall strength and is determined by a calculation of Familiarity, Quality, and Intention to Donate."

It is important that organizations and businesses know their objectives and when implementing a new identity or branding campaign, realize the overall investment. Successful brands can have a profitable return on investment (ROI) if strategically designed, developed and executed properly.

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The Midas Center: Taking Green Mainstream Part II

You may recall a previous post written here about the first installment of The Midas Center's Core Values. One of the core values uncovered in that article is the high importance The Midas Center places on visual integrity(TM).

Visual Integrity(TM) is so important that The Midas Center trademarked the term. From the office decor to the printed and online materials, there is the highest regard for aesthetics and visual appeal. This focus on visual appeal translates through The Midas Center's communications for its own marketing purposes and is applied to each and every client communication tool, too.

This post would like to introduce its next core value: eco-friendliness. The Midas Center understands that the choices their team makes in day-to-day living and working isn't perfect, but does place attention on the social responsibility to be better stewards of our earth and its valuable resources. From the office decor to the portfolio of "green" clients, The Midas Center is dedicated to do all it can to "Reuse, Recycle, Reduce."

In October 2009 when The Midas Center restarted its business in downtown Plymouth, owner Andrea Cook needed to make purchases for office furniture and decor. She was pleased to find 100% of the office furniture from local thrift stores like Salvation Army, ReStore and the Recycle Depot. From the paint on the walls, that by the way just happens to be a perfect match of Pantone 131 - the gold in The Midas Center's logo, to the conference tables, chairs, kitchenette cabinetry, counter-tops and presentation easel, the office furniture is all second-hand.

When items are purchased from thrift shops or second-hand stores it is a win-win for so many people:
- The items were saved from going to a landfill or collecting dust in someone's basement.
- The cost of the items were budget-friendly, for example, the office chair was purchased from the Culver Wesley United Methodist Church annual rummage sale for $4.
- Repurposing materials can be fun, such as an old door into a large desk can promote creativity, develop into a hobby and reduce stress.

The Midas Center is proud to be green. The eco-friendly choices that have been made for this business has not only been earth-friendly, budget-friendly, they have also helped our business grow. Sharing values and interests in the community opens the doors to new opportunities with other businesses. It also builds awareness in the community. The Midas Center is purposeful on taking green mainstream.

More details on taking green mainstream to follow...

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New Alternative Energy Client Recently Added To Portfolio

Remember a couple weeks ago when we wrote the post titled, Capturing and Visualizing the Wind?

It has been twelve days since we originally started the project for our alternative energy client and we are so excited to include this forward-thinking, innovative business to our portfolio of clients! We are also proud of the outcome of the new identity elements we have developed for our client, Sorian, Inc.

Sorian offers cutting edge products and services to improve wind energy.

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Mark Your Calendars for January's Brown Bag Workshop!

Back by popular demand, we are offering an encore presentation on Social Media for January's Brown Bag Lunch Workshop series. This free monthly seminar session is designed to help local business leaders grow in the marketplace.

"Social Media: Increase Your Touchpoints" is the next workshop scheduled for Wednesday, January 20th at noon. This 30-minute session will include basic information on what social media is and how businesses can tailor their own plan to utilize this new frontier and grow their business.

Reserve your seat today and register online here >

Sisters' Tea & Eatery will provide pre-ordered boxed lunches for $6. Lunches may be ordered no later than Monday, January 17th. Specify your lunch preference when registering online >

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Sneak Peak at Tomorrow's Presentation

We're looking forward to our presentation tomorrow on Social Media.

The Midas Center continues to offer free workshops monthly as part of a Brown Bag Lunch Series to help businesses in the community grow. We plan on covering the basic information on what social media is and how business leaders can tailor their own plan to utilize this new frontier and grow their business and careers.

We have several seats reserved and we'relooking forward to presenting this interactive presentation which will start promptly at noon at The Midas Center in downtown Plymouth. We have created this 30-minute session to be informative and inspiring!

Some guests have preordered a Sisters Tea & Eatery boxed lunch as part of their online registration. They are are expected to bring $5 and plan to arrive a few minutes early to pick up their lunches at The Midas Center.

We will be uncovering what a social media pioneer is, basic social media needs and basic tools and their rules. From Far and Away to Success in 30 minutes!

If you are interested in attending our next free workshop, mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 20, 2010 when we will present our next part of the Brown Bag Lunch Series titled, "Branding: It's Not Just For the Cows."

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Best Way To Go Green? Cast your vote!

We are excited to work for the Recycle Depot and help and increase GREEN awareness in the community. We are in the first stage of creating their overall image and style based on Mike Good, the Executive Director's original preference and direction. The options below represent the graphics that will be applied to the main delivery vehicle.

Before we move forward by selecting one option and refining it, we would like to share a sneak peak on three designs that we've created so far. We'd love to hear from you and get your opinion and learn more about the public preference!

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Reserve Your Seat Today: Social Media Workshop, MON DEC 7 noon

As part of the Brown Bag Lunch Workshop series, The Midas Center offers another free monthly seminar session to help local business leaders grow in the marketplace.

"Social Media: Increase Your Touchpoints" is the next event scheduled for Monday, December 7th at noon. This 30-minute session will include basic information on what social media is and how businesses can tailor their own plan to utilize this new frontier and grow their business.

Reserve your seat today and register online here >

Sisters' Tea & Eatery will provide preordered boxed lunches for $5. Lunches may be ordered no later than Friday, Dec 4th.Specify your lunch preference when registering online >

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October Survey Results: Marketplace Survey

As The Midas Center prepares for its entry into the professional community of Michiana, we are seeking information to better understand the current business landscape and the business leaders needs. A quick survey was developed and distributed to a sampling of 30 business minded professionals.

Of the 30 recipients, 1/3 of the people responded. If you responded to this survey, thank you! Here are the results:

1. The term(s) that best describes my business is:
22% We sell products.
77% We provide services.
11% We are a non-for-profit.

2. We are located:
66% In Plymouth, Indiana.
33% Within 20 miles of Plymouth, Indiana.
-0- Over 20 Miles from Plymouth, Indiana.

3. Currently, most of the success of our business is the result of:
11% Location
88% Word of Mouth and Reputation
66% Relationships
22% Advertising
11% Events or Exhibits
11% Direct Mail
-0- Other

4. What is the top priority for your business right now?
55% Increased Profit and Revenue
22% More Awareness and Visibility
0% An Online Presence
11% A More Professional Look
22% More Leads Generated
22% A Clear Strategy for Growth and Expansion
33% Stability Through Current Economy
-0- Other

5. The Midas Center is planning to offer free workshops to businesses. These workshops will cover a variety of topics. Please select the topics that you may be interested in:
55% Web Sites
66% Social Media
22% Branding
22% Networking
-0- Other

Thank you for your interest and participation. Additional surveys are currently being prepared and the results will be made available to those who participated in the coming weeks.

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Media Mention

Nice article written about tonight's open houses. Thank you South Bend Tribune! Check it out:
http://www.southbendtribune.com

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Brown Bag Lunch Series: Tuesday Oct 13 Web Site Basics

You are invited to attend the first free workshop titled,
Web Sites Basics
Tuesday, October 13
Noon at The Midas Center
Pre-Ordered boxed lunches are available for $5.

Our objective is to help businesses succeed.
To help reach this goal, we are offering a Brown Bag Lunch Series of workshops that will bring business minded people together to learn best practices on result driven marketing tips.

Have you always wanted to have a web site for your business but have no idea how or where to start?

If you are a business leader interested in learning the basic steps to get your own website up and running, you will benefit from this workshop. Bring all of your questions and worries with you for this quick and easy 30 minute workshop on Tuesday, October 13 at The Midas Center, 100 W Garro Street, Suite A, Downtown Plymouth. Presentation will begin at noon and will last no longer than 20 minutes with a 10 minute Question and Answer session.

This free workshop, "Web Site Basics" is the first of several upcoming lunchtime presentations that The Midas Center is preparing as part of the Brown Bag Lunch Series. Presentations will be led by owner, Andrea Cook and are designed to help businesses in Plymouth and surrounding areas grow. Future workshops will cover topics such as "What is Social Media," and "Branding: It's Not Just For Cows."

The Midas Center is an award-winning communications agency that provides marketing, advertising, public relations and design services to businesses in Plymouth and surrounding areas. Recently relocated from Chicago, The Midas Center has served clients from all over the world, from many industries and of all sizes. Now, The Midas Center is located in downtown Plymouth and is positioned to help businesses turn their vision into results.

To get the latest updates on business tips, promotions, events and client announcements, visit the blog at http://themidascenter.com/blogspot.com. This blog is created as a resource, a live wire connecting businesses to what they need to know about communications in the marketplace and in the community.

For more information, visit www.themidascenter.com, or email Andrea Cook at acook@themidascenter.com.

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"The eighties called, they want their logo back"

Do people make these comments about your business in the market place? Maybe you haven't heard them say it out loud, but perhaps you know what they are thinking. If your business practices were cool back when the Bee Gees went plantium with their highest sales of 8 track cassettes, then maybe it is time for you to take notes. If you want to succeed into the next decade, let's stop blaming the economy and position your business for the current times. Buyers and decision makers have changed the way they communicate, buy and make decisions. The Midas Center understands the current marketplace, its trends and habits and we want to recommend two quick tips for you to do this week so you can go from being so last year to "IN" by this Friday!

1. Get Linked In.
Out with the big bulky Rolodex, in with the online social networking tools. LinkedIn is an online service that allows business-minded professionals a piece of the online presence pie. Consider this a mySpace or Facebook utility for professionals only. It is easy to register and there is no fee to use this online networking service. LinkedIn allows you to connect or "link" to the business world. You may provide resume-like information about your current business as well as your past experience and education. LinkedIn reconnects you with colleagues, classmates and friends. Below is a quick overview on how LinkedIn can help you turn your vision into results.


2. Grow Your Networth with Your Network.
If your current networking activities bore you, then you are probably boring everyone around you too. Do you think already you know everyone there is to know and have little, to no interest meeting new professionals? When you meet someone new, do you instantly classify him or her into one of two columns, a potential client or useless? If your networking activities are as dull as your spreadsheets and data bases, then it is time for you to readjust your outlook on networking. Look for one event this week that interests you personally and make plans to attend. For example, if you enjoy the arts, you may be interested in attending Plymouth's art galleries, both hosting open house receptions this Friday, October 9th at 6 p.m. It just so happens that one of the art galleries is called, "IN." For more information, you may visit them online here >> in Gallery. They happen to be one of our clients, so our apologies for the shameless plug. It is what we do though, look for ways to build awareness for our clients!

Moving onward... By attending an event that might not be riddled with business networking labels, you open the door to a new outlet of mixing with like-minded individuals. You will find more opportunities where people may have left their salesmen repellent spray back at the office. Instead of networking to build business, increase your possible leads, make plans to go to places where you will enjoy your life and meet other interesting people. This is the true value of networking. Increase your personal networth by reaching out to more worthy networking events.

How are your buiness practices stacking up? The Midas Center Can Help You

There you have it, two quick tips to update your business. You can have the best product or service but without some marketing savvy that communicates with the today's language and tools, all you have is products and services. The Midas Center urges you to put some marketing muscle behind you and turn your vision into results.

We hope you will take these two easy steps towards success. And, we'd love to invite you to stop by this Friday at our new office open house. We have a wealth of resources, ideas, solutions, tools, tips and just friendly handshakes to share. Oh, we'll also have some cake and Golden Midas Punch to serve. The Midas Center, 203 N. Michigan St, downtown Plymouth; Friday, October 9th at 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your colleagues and your business cards, it's time to enjoy networking. Get linked. Be in.

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Not To Be Missed Evening of Open Houses - Downtown Plymouth

What do you get when you mix two art galleries, a communications agency, an herb store, a tea eatery and dance studio each hosting an open house on the same evening on the same block in downtown Plymouth? Add a few friends, maybe a date with your significant other and you've got yourself a perfect excuse to go out for the evening. On Friday, October 9th from 6 – 8:00 p.m., doors will be open to the public for an evening of open house receptions. Some of the doors, like the IN Gallery and The Midas Center will be opening for the first time.

If you have not visited this up-and-coming hot-spot located in the heart of downtown Plymouth, this is the perfect opportunity for you to see what all the hubbub is about.

Driving on Michigan Street in Plymouth, you may have noticed a window front covered with white paper near the corner of Michigan and Garro Street. Up close the window covering reads, “Are you in? Opening October 9th.” And, indeed the doors will be opening to welcome the public “in” to the grand opening of the IN Gallery and Studios Art Center. The gallery's grand opening will include an opening reception including refreshments, music and works by artist Josh Hozey. Hozey will be the first of several artists to exhibit at the IN Gallery and Studios. Gallery Director, Angela Leed is eager to bring visual and performing artists from all walks of life together. She shares, “We intend to create an on-going environment of support for artists of any age or experience while offering enlightenment and enrichment to the community.” Leed also is the owner of Imaginary Art School, located on the premises, upstairs next to the artists' studios.

Another organization opening its doors in this downtown location is The Midas Center, a full service communications agency. Relocating from Chicago, The Midas Center offers award-winning marketing, advertising, social media and design services to businesses in Plymouth and the surrounding Michiana area. Business leaders, colleagues and friends are encouraged to explore, mingle, network and learn more about The Midas Center and its range of services. Owner Andrea Cook intends to help empower the business community and will be presenting a free workshop on October 13th titled, “Website Basics.” This workshop is the first of a series of several upcoming brown bag lunch seminars. Future topics will include Social Media, Google, Branding and more. Registration for this workshop will be available during the open house reception on October 9th.


The IN Gallery and The Midas Center are adjacent to an eclectic collection of other businesses and organizations that are emerging. This marks the third year since the Heartland Artists have moved to the gallery space at 203 Michigan Street. Heartland Artists are a non-for-profit group dedicated to promoting visual art forms for Marshall County and the surrounding areas. Homemade goodies prepared by the members will be provided along with the selected works of art for the 21st Annual Juried Heartland Artists Regional Art Exhibit.

Just down the corridor, the Sisters' Tea Eatery will be extending their hours to welcome visitors for an evening of herbal tea tastings. Sisters' Tea Eatery is a charming contemporary tea room and restaurant featuring classic home cooking with a touch of gourmet. The owners, Donna Wenzel and Linda DeVault are sisters and their mission is to provide an environment for people to come for friendship and sustenance of body and soul.

The Herb Store has recently expanded and will also be extending their hours to welcome the public for an open house reception. Doors will be open at two of the Garro Street entrances and through the property's entrance at 203 North Michigan Street. More information about a new dance studio soon to be opening in this downtown area will be available during this evening of open houses.

This is a community event. Please help support these local businesses and organizations by showing your support and encouragement. Come and enjoy the refreshments and see what downtown Plymouth has to offer.

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