You most likely are familiar with and probably create and use lists and outlines everyday. But, the mind remembers key words and images, not sentences -- try recalling just one sentence from memory!

Mind mapping is one of the simplest, most powerful tools you can have in your thinking toolbox. Mind maps use key words and key images, allowing much more information to be put on a page. If you haven't tried this powerful technique, read and learn about mind mapping, what it's good for and how to create one.

This jam-packed issue of The Value Manager also brings you information on Project Collaboration and doing business in China, a very hot market.

Mind mapping can also be used to develop a product or process, solve a problem, and develop strategy or processes. The key to its effective use in generating ideas and solving problems is to not necessarily think logically. If one idea triggers another, don't try and analyse it, just mark it down on the mind map - the crazier the association, the better! That's how the truly innovative solutions come.

While mind mapping can be done with a large piece of paper, a roll of paper actually, and many colored writing utensils, the computer has really made mapping much much easier. Ideas can be easily moved, colors changed, and images added quickly. I've worked with several versions of mind mapping software including Inspiration and Mind Map. But the one I find the easiest and most powerful is MindManager.

While I'm working with a project management client, I use mind mapping to plan projects and justify capital spending. The biggest ROI I get from MindManager is time-savings. I can plan projects very quickly in a map view, export all the information into Project Kickstart or Microsoft Project, and I'm ready to go.

Making connections that aren't obvious or linear is the secret to how the minds of the world's most creative people work. But it can be the hardest thing for most people to do - we tend to impose a "logical association" upon the ideas we connect. But this hinders innovation. Expanding our "associative horizons" will gain breakthrough ideas. It is a visual way of thinking that keeps the entire scope of what you're thinking about in front of you. It also gives you a concise, effective way to communicate an entire concept to others.

MindManager website

	Creating Mind Maps
Mind maps can be a powerful tool. A completed map may look like a tree diagram or geneology map, a multi- armed octopus-like alien, a road map, or a work of art. They are all equally effective. Mind mapping does not have any hard and fast rules, but the following basic characteristics describe what works best: Begin by putting the main topic or point of focus in the center of the page. Starting in the center of the page allows for the greatest flexibility and helps to keep the main idea quite literally "front and center." You should also draw a box or circle around this main idea. As you identify main subpoints, major elements, or "dimensions" of the topic, draw a line branching off the central topic and leading to the label for the subpoint. You can start your first branching idea anywhere on the box that encircles the main idea. The line should lead to a word or phrase that labels the subpoint. Draw a circle or box around this subpoint. Try to limit the number of subpoints to four or five. If you are coming up with more than that, perhaps it would be best to combine some or divide your overall topic into two separate maps. Limiting the number of subpoints will keep the mind map from getting too "busy" or complex. Look for details that support or illustrate the subpoints and attach these to the main branching lines. Record these details in key words or short phrases. Once you feel that you have "captured" the topic on the page, if the map is lopsided, too complex, or in some other way just difficult to mentally take in, you might want to do a second map to simplify or refine the topic. The structure should be balanced and so obvious that it "jumps off the page." Personalize your mind map with colors, symbols, and simple sketches. You might use several different colored highlighters to make the main subpoints stand out visually. Sketches and symbols help bring other sensory images into the mind map. It isn't necessary that you be an artist to make these symbols useful. As long as these simple images mean something to you, they will serve their purpose. WorkFlow Mind Map »

	Book Report
MindManager for Dummies by Hugh Cameron This was the first "For Dummies" book that I felt was worth the cost. I didn't read it cover to cover straight, but I have now touched on all the chapters in the order I needed. Although I have been a MM user since way back, MindManager X5 has some very nifty enhancements. I didn't upgrade from MM2002 until I got the book and then I just let loose. If you're new to MindManager, this will get you started and give you some neat tips. If you're a regular user, I would get this book when you upgrade to X5. There have been enough changes in procedures and nomenclature that it just won't work with previous versions of MindManager. Get it at Amazon »

	Project Collaboration
It's been reported that organizations deploying web- baseed project management applications have the potential to realize 10-15 % cost savings and their ROI could be as high as 300 percent GrandView (www.grandview2000.com) is a cost- effective web-based business system for businesses that manage projects and want to improve performance. GrandView is both project management software and a powerful collaboration portal to get everyone on the same page! GrandView includes capabilities for: Project Management Schedule & Tasks Time & Expense Job Costing / Financials Document Management Team Communication Client Collaboration Contact Management Grandview2000 »

	Famous Last Words. . . .
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." --Ken Olson, president of Digital Equipment Co, 1977. "This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." --Western Union internal memo, 1876. "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." --Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943. "For the majority of people, smoking has a beneficial effect." --Dr. Ian G. Macdonald, Los Angeles surgeon, quoted in "Newsweek", Nov. 8th 1963.

	Doing Business Offshore
Here is a guest editorial from Larry Miner, CEO and founder of Tria Group, An American Solution to Offshore Software. In the next decade just about every business in the U.S. will, in one fashion or another, by market forces or otherwise, consider moving some or all of their business functions offshore to China. In doing so, they must take into consideration the protection of intellectual property rights first and foremost. I cannot stress this enough. Last week, I attended a presentation entitled Protecting Your Intellectual Property in China. The presentation was sponsored by Dickinson Wright PLLC and NTD Patent and Trademark Agency Limited of Beijing. The topics addressed were related to moving business offshore, and the importance of working through a law firm with an IPR practice. A brief synopsis: China is 5000 years old; however the first patent protections laws were passed very recently, in 1984. China joined the World Trade Organization in December of 2001. China now has three routes to follow for patent disputes: Administrative Judicial Criminal Because China wishes to increase trade through the WTO, they are constantly improving and adding to the 1984 patent laws. I recommend that if your business is considering a move to China you do it carefully and work through one of the many law firms that have experience and support for this type of business move. --Larry Miner Tria Group »

	What Bugs You?
Thanks for your comments and suggestions (and a little bitching now and then). It is only with your comments and complaints that I and/or my company can get better. Does anything in this newsletter or on our website bug you? Nothing is too small or too big. If there is something we can fix, we'd love to know. In fact, we will give away free services worth US$100 for the best bug report! Thanks and let me know what you think. What Bugs You? »

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