From 200 South Michigan Avenue Chicago to 200 North Michigan Street Plymouth

My first job out of college was in the city. Location: 200 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

I put up with a lot of abusive situations, worked way too many hours each week and in the end, they "let me go" laying off the entire in house graphic design group, just before Christmas with no warning and no time to print portfolio pieces.

From that moment, I decided that working for a company had little to nothing to do with loyalty and decided to freelance. I landed freelance gigs at many of the award winning agencies, some not-so award winning. In those earlier career years, the best freelance opportunities were the ones where I was "subbing" in while someone was on maternity leave. Those were the jobs that had some staying power to last the remainder of my lease to my apartment on the north side of the city.

The morning walks to the el train of four city blocks combined with the crammed train ride would then follow by a possible transfer to another train, several more city blocks of briskly walking to the building I was for hire for the day. After meeting and/or working in more than 30 agencies through the course of my Chicago career, I slowly realized the value of a quick elevator. Some elevators, for example the ones at the Prudential Building would add another 10 minutes to the morning commute. Yes, 10 minutes to go 40 stories. This is terribly slow when you consider the Sears Tower, where I worked on the 74th floor for a few years had an elevator shaft that lifted us in a jiffy, without putting a dint into the commuting time.

From the trot before the el, the waiting on the train, then the ride on the train, to the walk in the loop, plus the elevator trip totaled to an hour, plus or minus some change. In fact, anywhere you lived and worked in the city, it was about an hour commute. For those who lived in the burbs, add 15 minutes to the commute with every $50K saved in home mortgages. The longer the commute, the more affordable the homes were. Best case scenario is an hour morning commute, with another hour on the commute home.

That is two hours of a rat race. Nothing like my commute today. Since relocating my company to rural Indiana, I now can boast of handfuls of improvements in my quality of life for my family and me. For starters, I have my own stunning office space that I couldn't have dreamed working out of, let alone owning in Chicago or nearby. It is hard to believe that my first job was at 200 South Michigan Avenue in Chicago and now, I am the owner of a creative agency and online media publishing business at 200 North Michigan Street in Plymouth, Indiana.

I have more to share on this topic in blog posts to follow.

In the mean time, I must share a post from Small Business Trends that inspired me to finally get this blog topic down and out...
It is about rural-sourcing and it is a topic that has been on my mind a lot. To read it come from someone else other than just my own vision and rants is very inspiring to me. I would love to hear more from others on your thoughts on this topic!

Photo credits: Amanda Nicolé Doty

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Adweek's Social Media Market Discussion

On a recent article from Adweek, "Keep Social Media Simple -- and In-House" written by Alex Blum, we shared our $.02. The Midas Center owner, Andrea Cook was pleased to be the first to comment, here is what she said:

You bring up a great topic that is so relevant and current and should be evaluated for businesses. My take on this is that social media, if managed and supervised under the guidelines and standards of a company's brand, image and goals can indeed be outsourced to reliable social media service.

In fact, I see this (social media outsourcing) as the next generation of corporate customer service. Gone are the days when customer service 1-800 numbers hidden on company's web sites and directed to an office somewhere off shore where people, completely dis-attached to the mission and values of of the company's brand read from a script.

Today, in the new era of the internet age, the corporations who rely on third party social media marketers to help build their brand throughout the variety of social media outlets will be the leaders to watch out for. Your article mentions authenticity and simplicity and so perhaps the real rub here is finding a social media source to partner with who understands these values. As you know, social media is not just about the traditional methodology of pushing a message, it also can provide valuable insight that can be informative to the R&D process.

If corporations have found value in outsourcing their R&D function as well as their customer service function, why would they not also trust a third party social media marketing business. I for one am in the process of developing a business and to train individuals to become more savvy social media juggernauts so that I may offer professional services to businesses who are seeking social media services.

I welcome further discussion on this relevant topic. My name is Andrea Cook and I am the President of The Midas Center (www.themidascenter.com), currently located in rural Indiana. What a better place to offer a third party social media service for businesses? Find me on Twitter/andreacook or Twitter/midascenter. Also, please join The Midas Center Social Media Club on LinkedIN for more discussions on out sourcing social media.

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Retreat Day 3: The Change Agency and the Infotech Revolution

"The modern computer has been with us for more than half a century. But it was arguably a member of the supporting cast, not a prime determinant of enterprise strategy, until the early- or mid-1990s. Then the emergence of the Internet and the wild growth in telecommunications technology together changed everything. Virtually overnight.

Fact is, depsite sectoral turmoil and disappoinntments of the last two or three years, we are merely in the baby stages of the infotech revolution. Established organizations do not exactly shine in discontinuous times. Neither do successful 40-year-old middle managers. On the contrary, orgs and hiearchs tend to hunker down, to guard their turf ferociously - and to pray that "This, too, shall pass." Well it won't..."

- Tom Peters, reinforces the staying power of social media, "Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age"

The infotech revolution is upon us and admittedly has hit this almost 40-year-old middle manager-type with much angst. From day one of entering into my career, I can't seem to get the right footing for the pace of this infotech world. To stay abreast of just the terminology let alone mastering the latest tools has required a level of endurance, like sprinting up to the top of Kilimanjaro without one day of training. And, once you arrive to the top, no one else is there. The timing is all off. Sometimes I wonder if I've missed the boat, when I see someone offering social media advice to their following of over 10K tweeps, for example. Other times I feel like I am just way too early, especially when some of my prospects are still trying to understand what "branding" means.

Understanding the world of business is critical for success. Keeping up with the trends of finance, management and marketing alone is a full time job. Add on top of that a dedication to understand the basic coding languages and proper software tools. Tech knowledge that is necessary to make what was once needed to happen, and at times still is necessary for printing on paper is now needed to produce social media. Then, sprinkle on the style, the aesthetics, most importantly to uphold credibility and add value to any collateral deemed acceptable in today's commerce. A strong sense of business, an understanding of the latest technologies and a creative flair is the necessary combination for success in today's infotech revolution.

Yet, the fragmented groups of the techies and creative types miss the mark when it comes to business sense. They lack the mojo to step up and only a few will have the stamina to keep up on the social media journey. The business executives who fear the change that technology brings or lack the zest to learn have regretfully slowed today's economy. These sub groups all speak a different language and hang out at different water coolers. They are missing the mark on how to work collectively in the internet era. Once they realize the value each bring to the table and respect one another, that is when they will settle, build a town, an enterprise.

Until then, most techs and creative types go unemployed. Corner offices are cursed with insecure chiefs who no longer know how to lead and thus, have instead grabbed onto fear. Fears that have led to corruption and the need to control. This begets less and less innovation that leads to more techies and creatives being unemployed...

What happens when droves of techie and creative types are unemployed? Well, I hope that a new free world is created. I hope that people will see today's business landscape of unpredictability and know for sure that there is opportunity in social media. We are living in an infotech revolution. Some see it as revolting. Not me. I see it as a golden opportunity and it is time to forge onward, fearlessly. March on social media soldiers.

Signed,

Social Media Maniac of The Midas Center

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Retreat Day 2: The Change Agency

"It won't be easy, just as it wasn't easy for those brave families in their Conestoga wagons, heading across the dusty and dry plains, and then on to the virtually impenetrable Rockies and Sierras. But if there wasn't always gold at the end of the rainbow, there was - almost always - an opportunity for reinvention. A new start. A new you."

- Tom Peters, encourages reinvention and restlessness, "Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age"

When I think of social media, I often visualize American pioneers and their journey of discovery. What was the fire in their bellies that kept them moving forward? What sort of support systems did they rely on when the they were faced with a "bad day." How did they keep their focus? At what point along their journey over the sea and vast land did they realize their success and relish the reward? Picturing the pioneers of our past inspire me to take on the new technology of social media.

Social media is the new frontier plentiful of possibility. Domains are like online real estate and just like the centuries before the cookie cutter subdivisions were created, here we stand with a blank canvas, a land of opportunity. Social media juggernauts are at the starting point of the journey.

Treading along in today's business landscape, I am hopeful yet somewhat anxious. The rate at which technology changes and shifts is speedy and the learning curve is steep. But, step by step, I move forward because it is the future and if I feel a calling, a purpose driving me forward.

Behind me, darkness is beginning to fall on those big businesses, those Fortune 500 leaders who once led all of us to drink the kool-aid from the same communal cup. Their big budgets for too long have controlled the messages and images that we have consumed through those old forms of media. Traditional media once gave us only three channels that worked through our rabbit ears all sharing the same messages on same schedules. Some of us could purchase more channels, cable provided us with options of 350 channels, yet nothing was ever on.

Sure, we had choices and freedoms, we even had the convenience of a remote control that only created us to become more lazy and complacent. The messages through advertising, through programming, programmed us, formed us into a mainstream culture that idolized name brands. Robotically, we digested the messages. At times, we would change the channel, channel surf and that was about all the control we had over the messages coming into our living rooms.

Today, social media gives society so much more freedom from the traditional one way communication. Not only do we have so many more channels to select from, we also have more avenues to comment, share, tweet our likes and dislikes about our consumer experiences. We can choose what messages we want to hear, when we want to hear them. The information highway is not just a one way road. Social media has created multiple lanes of two way communication.

Consumers now have a louder voice than just their pocket books. Now, consumers can tell it like it is and spread their feedback, the good and the bad, on a product or service faster and more effective than it takes you to find a 1-800 number to customer service. How businesses will respond to this new freedom of client feedback? That might be what separates those who will stand and and those who will fall.


And, from where I stand, the horizon of social media is more than just a flat line before me. It is a multidimensional land of opportunity that is going to divide mainstream into its natural habitat. It will impact the way we do business and the way we learn.

We can learn about anything we want as quickly as our wireless connections will allow. Sitting at a keyboard, we can travel anywhere on the informational highway. In fact, it isn't just a cyberspace of information, social media has extended the universe to include entertainment, socialization, consumerism, education and beyond!

Now, all humanity has a voice. Social media is a friend to all humanity, helping small businesses the disenfranchised minorities to become media movers and shakers. Small businesses that don't have the big corporate budgets to advertise will now have a voice and have opportunity to reach out and be a player like they never have before. That is, if they will hop on the band wagon and not be afraid to stake their claim on social media.

For too many years we have accepted the ol wagon wheel. Perhaps the wheel still works for you and you are comfortable settling in to where you are.

This pioneer is seeking more. We're seeking ways to improve that ol wagon wheel. We want to give a voice to minorities, the creative types, those non-conforming identities that you probably don't even realize exist! We're looking for new media platforms and tools that will help us all get to that place, over the rainbow.

We'll tweet ya, I mean, send you an email...um, I mean a post card or a message in a bottle when we get there!


Signed,

Social Media Maniac of The Midas Center

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Retreat Day 1: The Change Agency

"We act as if the dot-com crash signaled the end of the New Economy. But we are, in fact, on the verge of the biggest and most profound wave of economic change in a thousand years.

"We avoid failure at all costs, and cling to ideals like "order" and "efficiency." But we must embrace failure; we must glory in the very murk and muck and mess that yield true innovation." - Tom Peters, a rant on how our society is not prepared, "Re-Imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age"

It may seem like the impact of today's technology has had more influence on our economy as ever before. However, technology inventions like the telephone, electricity, microwave ovens, automobiles and air crafts, to name just a few continue to play a significant role in our society that impact our ways of life today as much as they did when they first were announced to the public decades ago.

As a marketing professional, I see the dot.com crash as a growing pain, perhaps a labor pain of the intense birth of a new industry that will have a significant influence of our lives. This new industry of web based, internet technologies is a new frontier, a new land to explore, build and grow from. Much like the European explorers in the 1800s who traveled the unknown seas of the Pacific ocean in search for freedom from the oppression in their lives are like the brave leaders who will impact our future economy. Today's true business leaders are not those who sit in air conditioned corner offices who frequently fall asleep at meetings. Today's business leaders are the change agents, the pioneers who not only embrace the technology sector but redefine it into products and services that make our world a better place.

Only the strong pioneers will persevere. One day soon, the future business kings - and queens - will reflect on their journeys and recall the many many challenges and failures that directed their career paths. If true innovation is to happen, it is up to those brave change agents who aren't afraid to go on the adventure and get their hands dirty.

What scares you when you think about the internet industry? Are you afraid of failure, the unknown? Or do you embrace the adventurous technological path before you? Are you ready to be a pioneer in the web 2.0 frontier? Hold on for the ride of your life, those days of a steady career track are now as extinct as the Studebaker.

Signed,

Social Media Maniac of The Midas Center

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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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Plymouth Small Business Owner, Green Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist

The Midas Center owner, Andrea Cook has been selected as a finalist in the Indiana Green Business Awards for the Green Entrepreneur of the Year. It is an honor to be chosen as a finalist for this category as a small business owner in Plymouth who uses business savvy and skill to help build the brands that make our world a better place.

With a passion for eco-friendly living both in the home and at the office, her company's strong portfolio of green clients along with the office décor of repurposed creative furnishings shows she's moving in the right direction with her dedication to taking "green mainstream."

Join us in the next several posts as The Midas Center uncovers some unique actions that support this nomination including:
- why they recommend the hosting service that supports The Midas Center's web site,
- what makes the paint on her office walls so special,
- when she first realized that green endeavors were important to her and
- who has inspired her and encourages her to make the green decisions every day.

Also, read more about the green clients, including earthworks, Recycle Depot, Culver United Methodist Church's Thrift Store, Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council and Sorian. It is a priviledge to work with these clients and to collectively work towards building awareness for earth-friendly living and improve the use of our resources. Learn more about their services and the ways they are making a difference in our community too!

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Capturing and Visualizing the Wind

Have you noticed how designers are using photos of wind turbines to try to communicate renewable energy?

The Midas Center is currently working with a forward-thinking client in the renewable energy industry. In researching the imagery that is currently being used to represent this emerging industry, we are "blown away" by the over-use of the three bladed wind turbines.

First of all, wind represent only one area of renewable energy and doesn't take into account the amazing solar powers that are about to create a positive charge in the renewable energy world. Mostly we are disturbed that the actual wind turbines being used to symbolize this industry are not only trite, but are already technologically out-dated. The three blade fan is the first product manufactured and people are learning ways to improve this first-born product. See the photo below to view how technology is improving the efficiency and effectiveness of this product, thanks to the U.S. Department of Energy's initiatives to initiate innovation.

It can be difficult to capture an image to symbolize a market that is quickly innovating and improving. Just like technology, it evolves and it can be challenging to develop it visually to stand the test of time.

Take the communication industry for example. Today, you may consider a computer or an "@" sign to represent communication. Some people may still consider a newspaper, radio or telephone. Although we all frequently use them, our reliance on them solely as our communication methods are diminishing. So when you think of a communication icon, images of a pen and paper, or quill and ink bottle for that matter may be somewhat passé. Regardless where you are on the communication-continuum, it is important to consider how quickly industries change and evolve. When your business invests in a logo or icon to represent your product or service, make it sustainable or else you will loose your luster like Cinderella when the clock hit twelve, especially in the markets where it is always 11:59.


Remember when people used icons of the floppy disc to represent technology? Floppies? What are floppies? What image do you consider when you think of technology?

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Visualizing the Future From the State of the Union Address

Each year the President of the United States of America presents the State of the Union address to review the current condition of the country and share a vision and plan for the country's future.

Despite the decline of public opinion on his first year in office and the downturn in our economy President Obama stood tall and proudly presented his priorities for our nation peppered with some strong rhetoric that was designed to encourage and spur the production of our people into an improved future.



We've captured some of the key words he used from his transcript and would like to share the visual illustration for you. If you would be interested in reviewing a copy of the actual transcript, it is available here >>

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Kudos to Small Businesses!

An article published in Tribune Business Weekly salutes small businesses and their investments in the community that help not only fuel the economy, but also stabilize it in economic downturns. The entire article makes bold remarks in support of the small business. Some of the stated statistics made us feel proud as a small business owner, and we'd like to pass it along to you in hopes that you may also find them interesting and encouraging.

- "The backbone of the U.S. economy is not made up of stocks and bonds and large employers. The vital component that supports our economic health is small business."

- "According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, small businesses have accounted for 64 percent of new employment since the mid-1990s. They employ more than half of all private sector employees and pay 44 percent of total U.S. private payroll."

- Small businesses are "innovators, producing 13 times more patents per employee than large employers do."

- Phil D'Amico, director of business growth for St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce claims, “Small business really is, especially in our region's case, the driving force of our economy.”

- D'Amico also states, "not only do small businesses strengthen the local economy, they also contribute significantly to the strength of the community as a whole."

- Small businesses create 80% of the jobs in St. Joseph County, with the exception of government and schools.

Congratulations to you small business owners!

For the complete article, you may visit >>

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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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