Mind Mapping as a Business Tool
If you are one of those people who still takes linear notes in meetings, or you use notes as an aid for training, for course revision or even as a record of ongoing project work then it really is time for a personal breakthrough in productivity. Cut down on your labour, improve your memory and use Mind Mapping.
In essence Mind Mapping provides a visual representation of the way that we think. We don’t think in lists or long essays – we think in images and key themes, shapes and patterns, all connected one to another.
An Example of How it Works
To prove that this works let’s take an example. If you think about arranging some external training, a number of key points (possibly as images) will immediately spring to mind. These will centre around the following key themes:
- Mind Map used for planning training – click on map for bigger version
- Objectives
- Required outcomes
- What you need to do to prepare
- The subject(s) required
- Criteria on which to measure ROI (Return on Investment)
- Logistics (rooms, refreshments, timings)
- Availability of people
- Budget
- Suppliers (finding, investigating alternatives and making your preference)
- Possible challenges
- And as you think of each of these key categories you will have hundreds more associated thoughts.
That’s a bit of a list! Just think about the meetings that you’ll be having, the ad-hoc calls and the amount of times you’ll need to find those notes in your note-book or on your computer. You could just reach across to your Mind Map®…
So to help we’ve also produced it as a Mind Map (right). Your Mind Map may include a mix of words and images. This Mind Map reflects your natural thinking process. It’s a graphic technique which focuses on a central issue and allows you to generate all sorts of thoughts and ideas around this one idea.
You don’t have to be an artist! If you can doodle then you can Mind Map. You simply start with a central image and then you draw thick lines in different colours representing the key associations you have with your topic radiating out from that central image.
Applications
- Mind Map showing the many uses of Mind Maps – click the image for a full screen view
Mind Mapping is a much more efficient alternative to linear notes but the most common application for Mind Mapping in business is in planning, not only for project work but also for writing presentations and for what is called ‘brain blooming’, a way of using Mind Maps to capture and harness a group’s thoughts and ideas.
Mind Mapping helps you to solve problems - it helps practitioners to see the overall problem as they Mind Map all aspects of the issue at hand.
Obstacles
We’ve found that the two major obstacles faced by business professionals who Mind Map, were scepticism and resistance to trying something new. These individuals have said to us that company culture plays a crucial part in overcoming these challenges along with the approach used to implement the change. You can address this by offering coaching and support to aid implementation. After training with us we offer this through our information rich post course learning areas and the many FREE Mind Mapping resources we offer.
Why Change Managers Need To Mind Map
Any manager who is facing change at work needs to be able to encourage their colleagues and teams to become more innovative and to tackle new situations and problems with a different form of thinking. In this context there is no better technique than Mind Mapping for demonstrating that critical, creative and strategic thinking is now a top priority.
It is also helpful for change managers to know that one of the major benefits of introducing Mind Mapping to their teams is an improved performance in terms of people’s planning capability. With the volumes of information that people receive every day, and the pressure they have to deliver on time and to budget, teams need to be able to think clearly and summarise the information they have so that what they know is useable and accessible. Mind Maps allow this to happen.
Benefits for the Organisation
By training your staff in techniques that can help relieve the pressures of information overload you’ll see improvements in planning, efficiency and time saving. Other interesting benefits to companies are improved staff morale, team working practices, motivation, and an increase in creativity.
Illumine Training are the world’s leading trainers in Mind Mapping for Business. We offer a number of training options through our practical training courses and seminars.
Advanced Thinking and Learning Workshop combines Mind Mapping, Speed Reading and Memory techniques to provide you with the strategies and skills to master information and ease information overload. Find out more at www.illumine.co.uk/aims
Illumine Business Mapping offers a comprehensive one day workshop in London. This is also available in-house if you are looking to train a team or group. Find out more at www.illumine.co.uk/bmap
Learn in a more flexible way with our award winning online Introduction to Mind Mapping. Our e-learning course that’s not as comprehensive as our training courses, but will give you the skills you need to Mind Map in your workplace. Find out more at www.illumine.co.uk/mmel
Find out more about Mind Mapping Software here.
