Nine Months of Delivery at The Midas Center

Dawning on the ninth month since The Midas Center has opened its doors at 100 W. Garro Street in Plymouth, Indiana, the full service communications agency has experienced a treasure chest overflowing with projects! Although we realize that a newborn baby can be spawned in nine months, we are proud to announce the delivery of the following bundles of joy:



- Designed gratitude cards for Akina Corporation








- Helped promote the Imaginary Art School








- Launched and promoted ongoing events at the inSPIRATIVE art center, a gallery and studio rental space







- Designed and developed new web site for Culver's Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council






- Launched and managed a social media program for Earthworks and Earthworks Market, within the first six months, the program attracted over 250 members combined







- Designed and developed a web site for Culver's Wesley United Methodist Church







- Designed new image and graphics for Marshall County Recycle Depot







- Designed new identity and exhibit graphics for Sorian, Inc., a start-up wind power business







- Designed and developed web site for art gallery, Gallery on Main LLP







- Designed and developed materials for Chiropractic Association







WORKSHOPS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

For the first six months, we offered numerous brown bag workshops to help local businesses better understand topics such as web sites, branding and social media. Two of the most attended programs were titled, "Branding Basics: It's Not Just For Cows" and "Social Media: New Frontier of Marketing." In addition to these free workshops, owner Andrea Cook became a member to the Wythogan Toastmaster group in Plymouth. Cook also was a speaker at Indy Green Fest 2010.






COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPY

We offered our creative services for a multitude of local philanthropies and causes including the Marshall County Neighborhood Center, Run Baby Baby Run and Tri Kappa's Tour De Max. Owner Andrea Cook also launched Women Advisory Group, a local group of likeminded women entrepreneurs who meet monthly to support one another helping each other succeed.








ECO-INVOLVEMENT

After ten years of using the same hosting service, The Midas Center made the decision to select a hosting company that is powered 100% by wind power.


Owner Andrea Cook and her husband have also launched Project Green Building, a proposal to purchase a downtown property and renovate it into a green building to help build awareness for eco-living, eco-working and eco-building. This project is designed to help build awareness through the media on each decision needed to be made throughout the full process. It also is designed to aid economic development by providing educational tours once project is completed. There is also a Facebook page for Project Green Building that has accumulated over 75 members locally and throughout the world.







Andrea Cook was selected as a finalist by Indiana Green Business Award selection committee as Indiana's Green Entrepreneur of the Year.






FUTURE STEPS

For the month of June, The Midas Center will be redeveloping its business model to better meet client needs for today's market. For the past decade we have offered integrated marketing, advertising, public relations and branding services. We want to work on a clear message so that we can improve our communications with you!


The Midas Center will continue to provide visual integrity and help businesses and organizations succeed in the marketplace. Transforming touch points into gold is our motto, and we're sticking to it!

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Latest Marketing Creation

We love working with clients to produce materials that help build business! We enjoy the entire process, from finding the perfect solution to fit a client's budget and goals, to designing the layout, selecting the colors and typography and building the message behind the medium!

Each opportunity is an honor to provide solutions to meet client goals and a thrill to be creative and develop materials that are pleasing to the eye and hold visual integrity (TM).

We are proud to announce our latest brochure piece designed for J.R. Brim, a chiropractor with Chiropractic Associates, located in Chicagoland's Long Grove.

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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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US Industries: Out with the Old, In with the New

As one calendar approaches the end of its lifecylce, all 2010 calendars are primed and ready to go. Much like some key industries reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) this month, the adage: Out with the Old, In with the New holds true for the marketplace with some industries predicted to decline while emerging sectors show signs of growth.

According to the BLS report, growth industries include:
- Management, scientific and technical consulting services
- Offices of physicians
- Computer systems design and related services
- Other general merchandise stores
- Employment services
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals
- Home health care services
- Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities
- Nursing care facilities
- Full-service restaurants

On the flip side, the BLS reports these industries expected to experience the steepest employment declines:
- Department stores
- Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
- Motor vehicle parts manufacturing
- Postal service
- Printing and related support activities
- Cut and sew apparel manufacturing
- Newspaper publishers
- Support activities for mining
- Gasoline stations
- Wired telecommunications carriers

How will your business thrive? Are you adapting to and growing with the marketplace as the technical revolultion shifts the way businesses communicate to the public? As 2010 approaches and its trends will inevitability impact your business' bottom line, what ways are you shifting your marketing message? With Social Media as one of the fastest growing marketing tools, technology has again brought meaning to the term: the medium is the message.

If you are interested in learning more about social media, register for the upcoming free workshop, Social Media Pioneers. The Midas Center is dedicated to help Michiana's businesses grow in the marketplace.

For further information on this report, visit the report press release by BLS and an article titled, "Top 10 Growing and Shrinking US Industries," released by MC Marketing Charts.

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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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Presenting a latest Portfolio Item

Client: Akina
Designed by The Midas Center
Gratitude Cards, a stationery set designed for Akina. Special project for client to send prior to Thanksgiving includes postcards in the corporate colors. One card includes a personalized hand written note and accompanied a set of complimentary cards for recipients to "pass thanksgiving forward."

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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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"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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