This new 170-page e-book presents 52 strategies for adding exceptional value to your employer and your customers or clients, presented in a clear, concise and actionable writing style. No armchair theories here: These strategies are eminently practical, and will help you to “move the needle” and increase your influence and value, no matter what kind of work you do.

Free to Mind Mapping Insiders

Insider members can download the e-book and all of its bonus resources (audio interviews with 5 business experts plus transcripts, an action plan worksheet and several mind maps to help you with career planning). Insiders will also get any new audio interviews I conduct – and I plan to do an entire series of them during the rest of 2012.

Members-only resource

This link to this report is only visible to members of the Mind Mapping Insider membership program. It contains a wealth of resources that can help you to be more productive, creative and have a greater impact in your life.

New reports and resources are being added to the Insider area every week. If you’re serious about becoming a mind mapper, why not check out the Mind Mapping Insider program today?

Visual thinking is quickly growing in importance as a strategy for attacking difficult business problems. But what’s driving this need and why should you learn about it?

That’s the purpose of this new mind map, which outlines the major drivers behind the growth of visual thinking (the “why”) and codifies the benefits of adopting this type of mindset (please click on the map to view a larger image).

What do you think? What would you add to this mind map? Please share your thoughts!

This mind map was created using iMindMap 5 Ultimate for Windows.

Investing time in improving your skill with mind mapping software can have a strong payoff in improved productivity, according to a deeper analysis of my survey research.

Last year, I conducted a survey that showed that mind mapping software is the ideal productivity tool for today’s busy executives. After writing about Biggerplate.com’s new training program on the blog this morning, I got to wondering about the connection between mind mapping skill level and the benefits enjoyed from it. Intuitively, it seems there should be a direct correlation between the two. After all, the more skilled you are with a software program, you can work faster and more efficiently, and apply it to a greater number of tasks. Wouldn’t it be great if I had some real-world data to back up that assertion, I wondered? Then I suddenly realized that I may have this data, embedded in last year’s survey results.

So I opened up the survey data, and sure enough, the first question asked respondents what their skill level with mind mapping software was. Perfect! So I filtered the results of the survey by skill level, and the data below emerged. The percentages above each bar in the charts indicates the percentage of respondents in each skill level who answered in this way – in each case, this represents the most popular response.

Time savings with mind mapping software

As you can see from the chart, there is a direct correlation between your skill level and the number of hours you can save per week. The time savings doesn’t increase when you advance your skills to become an intermediate user, stuck between 1-2 hours per week. After that, however, it becomes a hockey stick-shaped curve, with time savings more than doubling when you become an advanced or experienced user, and then nearly doubling again between there and the expert level.

Productivity increase with mind mapping software

At the beginner and intermediate skill levels, productivity remains steady at a 10% increase. As you transition to become an advanced or experienced user of mind mapping software, however, users at this level said their productivity increase was 3 times that – a remarkable 30% increase in productivity. Imagine what you could do with that kind of efficiency! Surprisingly, there was no further increase in productivity between advanced and expert users.

What does this mean to you?

The sweet spot appears to be at the advanced level. Growing your skills to this level of proficiency appears to have the biggest payoff.

What this means is that if you need more hours in the day to get your work done, or if you’re looking for a way to become more productive, you ought to consider investing in my Mind Mapping Insider membership program. The tutorials, reports and resources it contains are designed to help you become a highly skilled visual mapper.

This is a guest post from Jeffrey Ritter, founder of the Ritter Academy

Many executives use checklists to keep track of information they must not forget. They are essential for life-and-death situations. But there is a better way that is more in tune with the nature of today’s work. Here are 7 reasons mind maps are much more efficient and effective than checklists for busy executives.

The power of checklists

In The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right, the NYT bestseller by Atul Gawande, the author effectively shows the surprising power of the ordinary checklist at enabling surgeons and other professionals to manage the increasing complexity of doing their work.  His engaging analysis emphasizes that any professional, despite effective training and practical experience, struggles to do everything right.

For surgeons, overlooking even routine tasks can have deadly consequences.  The checklist, Gawande observes, enables a professional to avoid two categories of errors: errors of ignorance (not knowing a particular step or procedure is required) and errors of ineptitude (failing to perform a known step or procedure).  Beginning with a 90 second checklist for a simple surgical room procedure that has reduced fatalities by 30%, Gawande examined a range of professional fields – disaster response, investment banking, skyscraper construction and business—and concluded that checklists not only drive the avoidance of errors, but provokes the professional to also focus on the times when the defined linear process needs to be varied in order to achieve the correct results.

Regardless of the professional discipline, Gawande concludes that the complexity of life, amplified by the impact of technology, requires the structure that a checklist can provide.  “We may admit that errors and oversights occur—even devastating ones. But we [surgeons] believe our jobs are too complicated to reduce to a checklist.”  His direct approach – that a checklist helps us to “get the stupid stuff right” – remains a compelling call to action for even the most educated professionals to think differently about how to implement tools that support them in performing their work.

But checklists aren’t enough for 21st century knowledge work

A checklist isn’t the only tool that can enable professionals to manage complexity, exercise, discipline, and avoid errors of ineptitude. In fact, I submit that checklists are a 20th century relic that are increasingly out of step with the needs of today’s work, despite Gawande’s convincing arguments for using them. In my experience, mind mapping is a much more effective technique.

I began working with mind mapping in 2004.  It was immediately clear to me—a lawyer who had an enormous whiteboard on my office wall—that mapping worked even better as a professional tool. Mind maps enabled me to literally see and unfold the increasing complexity of all of the legal and technology variables that were confronting both me and my clients in building and managing information systems and complex processes (privacy compliance, e-commerce, website functionality, network security, and e-discovery).

Even then, checklists – a very common project management tool for lawyers—were proving inadequate to meet my needs and those of my clients to see the full picture and enable the team to move ahead on the project working, quite literally, on the same page.

7 ways mind maps kick butt compared to checklists

As I have gained experience in using mind maps to grow my business during the last 8 years, I have discovered 7 ways in which mind maps are vastly superior to old-fashioned checklists:

1.  Mind maps enable you to identify and act on decision options that have multiple choices.

Checklists tend to force binary decisions – such as “yes/no”, “armed /unarmed” and “confirmed/unconfirmed.” While that type of structure is important in linear processes, mind maps enable you to provide multiple decision options that are much more appropriate for today’s type of work.  In addition, checklists have limited branching or decision-tree functionality.  Many types of information discovery and research applications require a more flexible approach, which mind mapping enables.

2.  Mind maps show context and structure, as well as the relationships among different variables and topics that must be included in a process.

Each of us, to a different extent, remembers and recalls what we learn and the information we need to use, in visual form.  We routinely share information in visual form, using blackboards or whiteboards, for example.  Presenting process information in a visual format improves recall and improves our ability to communicate this information to others.  After all, isn’t that the reason we often draw solutions on the back of paper napkins?  Being able to remember better and share and communicate better means fewer mistakes.

3. Mind maps enable the individual checklists of all of your team members to be viewed together—and filtered, split up and delivered to each team member when appropriate.

Checklists enable consensus action only.  A pilot and co-pilot must both agree a task is completed, a surgeon and a nurse must both confirm a clamp is properly presented, and so on.  But even if you add a column for responsibility to a checklist to handle more complex projects, it’s challenging to see the responsibilities of each member and the relationships between them. Mind mapping software can present complex task data and relationships in an easy-to-understand, compact visual format.

4. Software-produced Mind maps are more useful as a shared project resource.

Software-produced mind maps can incorporate shapes, colors, font sizes, font colors, images, icons, markers and filters to create a visually effective resource.  Even the basic checklist comes alive when presented in this non-linear format.  The result is that all of the stakeholders in your project can engage it differently. People focus, they examine and test the relationships among the topics in a mind map.  In doing so, they subtly begin to “own” its content and offer corrections, enhancements, additions and suggest changes.  That is much deeper engagement than any checklist!

5. Mind maps unfold complexity to a level appropriate for each person.

On any project, different participants and stakeholders have different views.  Senior management may only require a “global view”—the 20,000 foot fly-over of the planned process.  But the worker bees need a more detailed analysis to ensure the process is properly executed at the task level.  Nearly every checklist I have seen for a complex project defies the ability to provide different views.

Admittedly, process management tools do enable you to scale detail by “rolling-up” dates and deadlines, but even then, the visual presentation is largely linear, text-based and challenging to comprehend. By collapsing one or more levels of a mind map, you can easily provide a bigger-picture view to senior executives AND a detailed view to those people who are doing the work – all from the same visual document!

6. Mind maps can reveal why a process or task needs to be done.

Checklists demand compliance, and rarely if ever explain the “why” behind tasks and process steps. Mind maps can contain links to supporting information – in the form of attached documents, hypertext links and even the content of individual e-mail messages. These resources can provide project team members with the critical underlying “why” of processes, tasks or questions – without causing a lot of visual “clutter” in the process. Mind maps also give team members the ability to question specific steps, and make annotations, adaptations, comments or additions to the map. After all, this is what the training and experience of a professional represent – the ability to change direction intelligently.

7. Mind maps enable users to dynamically capture performance-related data and evidence.

As live data files, mind maps enable team members to input notes, findings, highlight inconsistencies, create reminders and capture facts with a variety of tools.  All of that can then be exported into other formats and resources, such as text documents and spreadsheets, quickly and easily. Checklists tend to only record that the act described has, or has not, been performed.

Jeffrey Ritter is recognized as a pioneer in shaping the legal rules for cyberspace. He helps companies, lawyers and investigators do a better job of evaluating, building, and improving their digital assets via a mind map-based tool called RitterMaps. He is also the founder of the Ritter Academy, which teaches his visually-oriented e-discovery methods to legal professionals.

This new book, which I expect to receive shortly from the Buzan organization, is divided into four parts:

1. Mind maps: The ultimate business tool
2. Mind mapping for core business skills
3. Mind mapping for better business thinking
4. Mind mapping for better business outcomes

Just from the section titles alone, you can tell that this isn’t going to be one of those highly theoretical, “pie in the sky” types of business books, but one that is focused on helping you to be more productive and to contribute to your organization at a much higher level. I can’t wait to dig into this book!

Buzan Online has also launched a website as a companion to the book, which contains a vast selection of resources to help you develop superior capabilities in all core business areas. As well as Mind Map templates, guides and articles, you also get exclusive access to an array of free videos featuring the book’s authors, Tony and Chris.

I recently took a look at this collection of resources, and I must say, they are very comprehensive and professionally produced. They’re ideal for executives who have heard about mind mapping software, but aren’t quite sure what all the excitement is about. Or if you have started to utilize one of these productivity tools, but aren’t quite sure how to apply it to more aspects of your work.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talked quite a bit about mind mapping software – included how to get started with it and common mistakes people make when using it. It was a really interesting conversation.

You can listen to this podcast by using a player right on the web page, or you can subscribe to it on iTunes.

During the chat,  I jotted a note to myself that I really ought to produce a visual representation of these applications – a mind map of mind mapping software uses – similar to the map I recently produced that listed all of the mind mapping software programs.

So here it is! Please click on the image for a larger, more complete version.

If you have any suggestions for additions, please let me know and I’ll add them to this map. Eventually, I’ll upload the finalized map to the resources area of this blog for everyone to benefit from.

I first became aware of Michael Tipper via his Michael on Mind Mapping blog about two years ago. He impressed me with his high-quality blog posts, and his keen sense of knowledge about the principles of business – and how mind mapping software can bring greater productivity to common business tasks. My next experience with Michael was last year, when I did an e-mail interview with him. He impressed me with the deep thought he put into answering my questions. Here, I thought, is someone who thinks strategically, like I do.

So when Michael asked me if I would participate in an audio interview – which will be used as one of the bonuses for his new Business Profit Productivity Blueprint e-course – I jumped at the opportunity. We had an excellent conversation (which you can listen to here). I came away from this 40-minute discussion convinced that he is truly a kindred soul when it comes to mind mapping!

A sneak peek at Michael’s new mind mapping software e-course

Michael subsequently gave me a login so I could get a “sneak peek” at this online multimedia course (you’re hearing about it here first, folks!). I looked at several of the PDF “manuals” and videos, and was thoroughly impressed. I have been blessed (or some people would say cursed! ) with a finely tuned B.S. detector – in other words, I can immediately tell if an information product contains some real insights, or if it’s just a superficial treatment of the topic – or, worse yet, a bunch of crap hastily assembled as a quick “money grab.”

I’m pleased to be able to tell you that Michael’s e-course definitely falls into the former category – this is a professionally written and produced course that contains excellent, cohesive information. Although its primary audience is people who wish to build an online business, I believe nearly anyone who wants to learn more about utilizing mind mapping software for business can profit from the Business Profit Productivity Blueprint. Also, if you’ve been creating hand-drawn mind maps but aren’t quite convinced of the benefit of mind mapping software, then this program is definitely for you. Michael admits that he falls into this camp; it wasn’t until an internet marketing guru shared with him the benefits of software-produced mind maps that he “got it.”

It’s also important to frame who this e-course is NOT for: If you’re already an experienced user of mind mapping software, you will probably find it to be too basic.

Here’s what the Business Profit Productivity Blueprint contains

6 modules of video training, supplemented by PDF e-books:

1. Personal productivity in business – how mind mapping releases more of the latent power of your brain, helping you to be more productive, resourceful and creative.
2. Applying mind mapping software – How to systematize routine tasks and simplify project management.
3. Getting started – Choosing mind mapping software to accomplish these goals, and how to get started managing “information overwhelm” with it.
4. Managing your systems and processes – How to set up mind maps to support and streamline your business processes; how to manage the content of multiple blogs from a single idea map.
5. Project management with MindManager – Brainstorming your project needs and developing a project proposal quickly and easily using Mindjet’s MindManager; how to keep track of vital project data; advanced project tracking and monitoring.
6. Taking charge of your knowledge – How to set up a virtual library of business-building nuggets, as well as an all-encompassing system to capture every note you’ll ever take.

Bonuses

1. A 71-minute interview with with best-selling author Simon Hazeldine on eliminating your internal barriers to personal productivity so you can start getting more done much faster.
2. A 39-minute video version of a half-day workshop that Michael has given on freeing up an hour a day, so you can work on those important but not urgent back burner projects you’ve been wanting to tackle.
3. A 5-minute “mind movie” that Michael uses to program his brain for higher levels of productivity and success.
4. A 47-minute video that shows how some of the world’s leading internet marketing gurus successfully use mind mapping software in their businesses (this is something I’ve been wanting to do, but Michael beat me to it!).
5. A 57-minute video that teaches you how to develop new products using mind mapping software – knowledge that you can use to create new and unique products as well as improve and strengthen existing ones.

How can you obtain this e-course?

Michael plans to launch the Business Profit Productivity Blueprint in the next week or two. I will be selling it as an affiliate, and will be adding my own special bonus to encourage you to purchase it through me.

If you want to be alerted via e-mail as soon as this e-course is available, then please send an e-mail to me at michael [[at]] innovationtools <<dot>> com.

• How I got started in the world of mind mapping software
• Five features a mind mapping software program must have to be a credible tool for personal productivity
• What buyers should expect from mind mapping software in the free, low-mid price and high-end price ranges.
• 5 key business productivity applications that mind mapping software can be used for

You can download and listen to this interview here (18.3 MB MP3, approximately 40 minutes; to save to your computer, right click the link and select “save as”).

I hope you enjoy it. Michael audio taped this interview for his new mind mapping software e-course, The Business Profit Productivity Blueprint.

A master map is a map of all of your mind maps. In other words, it’s a single mind map that enables you to organize and quickly access all of the visual diagrams you have created with your mind mapping software. It enables you to organize your knowledge and projects in a way that makes the most sense to you – in other words, a visual representation of your work. This simple repository of links to your mind maps (and other files) can provide you with a quantum leap in productivity.

Why use a master map?

You’re organizing your knowledge and projects in a way that makes the most sense to you – in a sense, you are creating a visual representation of the way you work. Compared to the “file cabinet” metaphor, which users of both PCs and Macs have been struggling with for years, this personalized, organic repository of links to your mind maps (and other files) can provide you with a quantum leap in productivity.

Making this strategy work requires a certain amount of discipline, because in order for your master map to be complete, you need to add any new maps you create to it. But the rewards are worth it.

How to set up a master map in MindManager 7

Here are instructions on how to set up a master map in the world’s leading mind mapping program, MindManager for Windows. I have decided to highlight it here because it offers (via several add-in programs) a simple process that you can use to implement a master map:

1. Click on the MindManager “button” (the big round icon in the upper left corner of the program’s screen. Click on the “MindManager Options” button at the bottom of the drop-down list, and select the “general options” section. Change the default document to the file pathname of your master map. That way, every time the program starts up, it will automatically load that map.

2. Give the central topic of your master map a name, and while you have it selected, add the File Explorer Map Part (accessible via the task pane menu on the right side of the screen) and select the folder where all of your maps are stored. For most PC users, that would be in the C:\Documents and Settings\My Maps\ directory. MindManager will then create a topic called “My Maps” that displays hyperlinks to each of your mind maps in that folder. If your maps are stored in several folders, you will need to repeat this process for each folder you want to be displayed in your master map.

3. When you create new maps, make sure they’re also stored in this folder. To update your master map to include any new files, simply click the F5 (refresh) key. Your new maps will appear at the bottom of the list. In order for this to work correctly, you must leave all of these hyperlinks attached to the “smart” folder topic.

Mindjet also offers a Map Linker smart part, which is designed to pull the latest contents of other maps into your master map.  The master map uses hyperlinks to point to the subordinate maps and imports the latest data from them each time the master map is refreshed. This functionality may be valuable if you have a number of maps stored in a shared directory on your corporate network, and you want to pull the latest changes made by your colleagues (such as project updates) into your master map. But if you have a large number of maps, these automatic updates could cause your master map to become cluttered rather quickly.

Here are a few more tips on creating effective master maps, compiled by Mindjet:

• Keep your master map focused on a handful of top-level issues; let the power of linked sub-maps enable you to drill down as needed for the details you require.
• Once you have all of your maps linked together, use MindManager 7′s Multimap View to display the master map and all of its linked sub-map files in one view. It displays preview images of the current map and all the maps that it links to. You can choose to display only the first-level maps – those directly linked to your master map -  or maps at the second, third, or all levels.

Why not create a master map to streamline your work today? If you have any tips on how to set up a master map for other mind mapping programs, please describe them in the comments section of this post. Thank you!