How to Mind Map: New Training from Biggerplate

Are you new to mind mapping? Want to introduce it to your organisation? Looking for more widespread adoption within your business? Then Biggerplate can help!

Biggerplate are delighted to announce the launch of our mind map training services, providing unique and engaging training that is entirely focused on the use of mind maps in practical real world contexts. We can help organisations large and small to get the best out of mind mapping and mind mapping software!

To learn more, visit the Training Section of our website. Click here>

Biggerplate now offers the following training programs all over the world:

Mind Mapping for Innovation

Get those creative juices flowing, and turn great ideas into action using mind maps! If you are looking to develop a culture of innovation and learning within your business, then this workshop is a great first step!

Learn More>

Mind Mapping for Marketers

Designed specifically for marketers, this workshop will show you how to use mind maps for effective internal and external marketing analysis, planning, and communication. 

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Mind Mapping for Business Planning

See the big picture and the little details by using mind maps in your planning. This workshop will show you how to map out the future, and enable clear tactical action planning. 

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Introduction to Mind Mapping 

Learn the principles of effective mind mapping and how to apply them in the real world with this introductory half-day workshop from Biggerplate. 

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If you're interested in learning more about these exciting training workshops, then please visit the Training Section of the website, or feel free to contact us using our simple online enquiry form>

How to Mind Map: SWOT Analysis

Today's mind map example looks at a map added by Mindjet's Michael Deutch in 2008. This SWOT Analysis mind map template has remained one of the most viewed and downloaded maps on the site. So what makes it such a good map?

There are a few key points:

Firstly, the mind map format is extremely well-suited to a task like SWOT analysis, and it helps you to breakdown and approach what can sometimes seem like a rather large and daunting task. Furthermore, the expansive nature of the map means that with a basic template such as this, you can expand upon subtopics to be truly thorough in your analysis of the competitive and market environment in which you are operating.

This works particular well for teams collaborating and brainstorming to put together a SWOT analysis, and here's one small reason why: If you start with a flip-chart (for example) and have a page each for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, you will be surprised how the list of things tends to conveniently run out when the person reaches the end of the page. Often this seems to be due to a mental state of "I've filled my sheet of paper, I can't think of anything else". Of course this is not true. But the medium does not encourage further exploration and thinking, in fact, it kills it dead. Missing out on key threats to your business simply because you didn't want to start a whole new piece of flip chart paper is slightly stupid! You may (or may not) be surprised how common this is, especially when issues of waste and the environment are so pressing!

The map template projected onto a screen (for example) therefore provides an infinite canvas with which to capture ideas and information. In this particular example, Michael has usefully added in a range of suggestions, comments, and questions to help further break down this process into manageable chunks. As always, the adaptability of the map in terms of moving, re-naming, or simply deleting information means it provides an excellent way of capturing and organising what might become a very large collection of information.

Finally, mind maps created using software provide an amazing tool for capturing research and information captured elsewhere, whether it's in the form of a hyperlink to a competitor website, an attachment containing last year's sales figures, or a more in depth analysis of a particularly point saved with subtopic notes. The amount of information that can be collected, organised, managed, and easily accessed via the mind map far outweighs any alternatives that we are aware of!

SWOT analysis is a great thing to do at the start of the year, and this example provides a great starting point for doing so! Give it a try!

You can download the free mind map template by clicking here.

How to Mind Map: Daily To-Do List

Here is a great example of how a mind map template can  help you on a daily basis.

Submitted to Biggerplate this week by SignosArg, it is a daily planning mind map that will help you keep on top of your to-do list. To view the map within the library, simply click the image or click here>

Mind maps like this are a great examples of how gathering information (in the form of tasks, ideas, actions etc) in a more visible and visual format can help you see quickly and easily where you need to focus your attention.

Simplicity in ordering information is often under-rated, and just the process of mapping out the information can be hugely beneficial in itself, even if you never look at the map again!

To really get the full benefit out of a map like this, you should however try to build it into your daily habits and routines, so it becomes a living/dynamic control centre for your world. Try opening it up a the start of the day, and also reviewing it before you leave the office at night, entering in the things you can see need to be done tomorrow. If you can establish this routine, you will also start to figure out whether the mind map needs to be adapted or changed in order to better reflect reality. For example, you might like to have saturday and sunday on there too, or you might like a separate subtopic for "Family".

As with all good mind map templates, this one provides an excellent starting point for you to make something that is personal and useful to you. Take a look, download it, and spend 10 minutes working through your own "to-do" list. You'll very quickly find you've got a clearer picture of everything, and a firm grasp of where to start first!

View the "To Do Mind Map" here>

Promote Your Mind Mapping Website (for free) Using Biggerplate

So the new year is upon us, and we have set ourselves some pretty ambitious targets for growth over the next 12 months. It's our version of a new year's resolution: World Domination.

One of the ways we hope to fuel an increase in maps and membership is by encouraging those who run their own mind mapping blogs to join Biggerplate and use us to raise awareness of their own sites. This can all be done for free simply by joining up and actively participating in our community. Biggerplate is one of the best rated mind mapping sites in the world, and being active (and creating links) on our site can help you with search rankings and general web traffic, as you will be engaging with the largest online community of mind mappers in the world.

Here are three simple steps to help you raise awareness of your mind mapping website among our community:

1. Register with us - Simple, easy, and free to do. Takes 2 minutes.

2. Fill out your Biggerplate profile - Include links to your website, Twitter, Facebook etc, and tell people a little bit about who you are and how you use mind mapping. Here's an example profile from a real Biggerplate member and mind map blogger: www.biggerplate.com/cbrown

3. Upload some mind maps - Easy to do, and a great way of showing people how you use mind maps, and that you are a mind mapping expert! Little tip - Why not insert a link to your mind mapping website within the map itself, so that people who download it can click through to your site...










All in all, it's very simple, and creating a presence for yourself on Biggerplate is a fantastic way to make yourself known among the largest community of mind mappers in the world. Plus, if you share some maps with us, then Biggerplate will tell other people about them and help to raise your profile even further!
Already signed up? Why not try uploading a map now!

We like to collaborate, and we love to get new members and new maps on our site. Why not put us to the test, and make it your new year's resolution to join and contribute to Biggerplate? You won't regret it. Some of the leading experts in the world of mind mapping are already part of our community, and making a huge contribution to the spread of mind mapping as an approach. We'd love you to come join us too!

Biggerplate.com

Biggerplate 2012: Our Roadmap

We've achieved a fair bit in 2011... We rebuilt our entire website from scratch, more than doubled our member population, and established ourselves as the leading online mind map library according to several trusted experts!

We set ourselves numerous targets for 2011, but the two main goals were as follows:

• Reach 2,000 maps in the library.
• Reach 25,000 registered members.

I'm delighted to say that we have hit both these goals, and are feeling rather pleased with ourselves.

But we're not done yet...

2012 is going to be another big year for us, and I thought it might be interesting to outline some of our plans for 2012. If you have any thoughts, feedback, comments, or suggestions, I hope you will take a minute to share them either publicly (on this blog) or privately by contacting me directly.

There's no particular order to the following points, but it should give you an overall picture of some of the things to come... Some of it anyway... We can't be giving all the secrets away!

Groups: We had hoped to have this up and running by now, but someone opened the christmas egg nog early and everything seemed to get delayed a little. We're sure you understand...

This great new feature will enable you to create your own little slice of land on Biggerplate that's focused on a particular topic of interest, then gather people and maps related to that topic all in one place. For example, you might want to create a group that's focused on  "Mind Maps for Software Testing", and have a group pool that contains maps that are particularly relevant to this subject. Other users can then join this group and help gather together a collection of maps on this subject, and join discussion about the use/application of mapping in relation to the topic. Start thinking about your groups now, it's coming soon!

Tutorials: Long-time users of Biggerplate may remember that we used to have a section on the website for mind mapping tutorials. They may also remember that it was a bit rubbish! Soon however, we will begin building a brand spanking new tutorials section that will help mind mapping novices and experts alike to improve their skills. The experts within the Biggerplate Partner Network are kindly helping us to plan this section, so you can be confident that it will be full of great stuff to help you become a mind mapping ninja in no time!

Biggerplate Training: 

Released upon the world in 2012 will be a range of training products from Biggerplate intended to help organisations large and small to get to grips with mind mapping in their organisation. We have helped numerous individuals and organisations in this area over the years with training on request, and we thought it was about time we turned this into something that's available to everyone! Launching in early 2012 will be the following training programs from Biggerplate:

• Mind Mapping for Marketers
• Mind Mapping for Innovation
• Mind Mapping for Strategic Planning

If you can't wait until then, please feel free to contact us in advance at training@Biggerplate.com and we can give you some details. We are a global community and our training will be global too. Wherever you are in the world, whatever the budget, we've probably got something that can help! We are Biggerplate after all... we're just a little bit different. 

The Biggerplate League: Well... We don't want to give it all away. But put it this way, you may want to start uploading a few maps in advance...

In conclusion...

We have had a great year, and it has been driven by the continued support and contribution of  our members, and we therefore have a huge thank you to say to you all. Our aim is simple: "to be the best source of mind mapping content and community in the world". You have all helped us move closer to this goal by uploading maps, tweeting about us, giving us feedback, helping us test things, and generally being friendly, interesting, open-minded and collaborative people!

2012 is going to be very exciting, and we hope you will all continue to support us as we seek to reach 50,000 members and 5,000 maps by next Christmas. As always, the best thing you can do for us is to upload a map or two, it makes a huge difference!

I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas, and the very best for an exciting and prosperous 2012!

Liam Hughes

Founder: Biggerplate

Partner Spotlight: Chance Brown (Mind Map Blog)

This week we had the chance to catch up with Biggerplate Partner and long-term contributor Chance Brown who spoke to us about his work in the field of mind mapping, and the importance of sharing ideas and information. Chance runs one of the most popular mind mapping blogs in the world, and has contributed over 40 maps to the Biggerplate library! 

1.       In 5 words, tell us what you do…

Help people to maximize mindmapping.

2.       When and how did you first become involved in the world of mind mapping?

I first became involved with mindmapping back in 1999.  Like many, I learned about mindmapping through the books of Tony Buzan.  As computer based mindmapping became more sophisticated, I started using mindmapping software to capture, organize, and manage information to get things done.  My mindmapping software of choice has been Mindjet’s MindManager.  I have been using it regularly since version 6.  After using mindmapping software for business and personal projects for many years, in June 2008, I created a blog to help others leverage the power of mindmapping.  Specifically in the areas of education, business, and personal life.  My blog is called The Mindmap Blog.  This blog has allowed me to share a wide range of mindmaps, showcase other mindmapping experts, and provide people with a variety ways to increase their productivity with mindmapping.

3.       What is the main focus of your work today?

Over the past 3 years, I’ve blogged about mindmapping via The Mindmap Blog.  Though I will continue to blog about mindmapping, starting in the 4^th Quarter of 2011, I will begin offering one-on-one mindmapping coaching sessions online.   These sessions will range from getting started with mindmapping to more advanced mindmapping topics that include information management and project management.   There will be two versions of each session, a one-hour version and a two-hour version.  The one-hour session will focus on mastering mindmapping fundamentals with respect to a given topic area, such as brainstorming or information management.  The two-hour version will build on the first hour by applying the learning to a business or personal project from the participant.  All sessions will be conducted using Fuse web-based meeting software.  MindManager will be the mindmapping software used during all sessions.

4.       What is it that excites you about the mind mapping arena?

I am most excited about the fact that mindmapping is gaining greater traction in the workplace as a key productivity tool.  Mindjet, for example, recently released MindManager 2012 which will help knowledge workers quickly leverage the benefits of mindmapping.   With this release, Mindjet has introduced a wide range of templates and processes to help people effectively use mindmapping for brainstorming and capturing ideas, organizing research, creating project plans, developing strategies, and managing meetings.  Additionally, with Mindjet Connect, their free cloud based service, teams can now collaborate with mindmaps as never before.   As more people learn about these tools and how they can literally transform the way you work, I think the mindmapping community will grow dramatically.  Biggerplate, of course, is helping with this expansion.   So, thank you for your wonderful site!  Did I say I’m excited about Biggerplate?  Well, I am.

5.       How can you help Biggerplate members to do more with mapping?

I can help Biggerplate members do more with mapping in two ways:

1. Members can download any of my 45 mindmaps that have been uploaded to Biggerplate (as of 12/20/11).  Members can use these mindmaps as resources on various topics.  Additionally, members can use these maps to generate ideas for creating and sharing their own mindmaps with the Biggerplate community.
2. For members interested in having a mindmapping expert walk them through the process of creating and leveraging mindmaps for increased productivity and effectiveness, they can attend one of my one-on-one mindmapping coaching sessions.

6.       In your opinion, what are the merits of a site and community like Biggerplate?

I’ve been a big fan of Biggerplate for a few years now.  The site has come a long way and today it is truly the premier mindmap library on the Internet.  In my opinion, there are three primary benefits of the Biggerplate site and community:

1.       Biggerplate offers  visual thinking approaches from people all over the world providing insight, knowledge, and visual creativity.

2.       Biggerplate allows you to download any of the thousands of mindmaps directly to your computer or iPad.

3.       Biggerplate allows you to share your own maps with the community enabling you to make a contribution to the variety of maps and overall growth of the site.

7.       Anything new and exciting coming up in your world?

My new one-on-one mindmapping coaching sessions via Fuse web-based meeting software.  Though each session will have clear objectives, they will also be flexible and tailored to the needs of each participant.

The first three sessions will be:

1.       Coaching Session 1: Getting Started with Mindmapping

2.       Coaching Session 2: Using Mindmapping as a Brainstorming and Collaboration Tool

3.       Coaching Session 3: Using Mindmapping to Manage Your Files, Folders, and Websites

All mindmapping software demonstrations will be conducted with MindManager.  However, many of the mindmapping concepts discussed during each session can be applied to other mindmapping software applications, such as iMindmap, Novamind, Xmind, etc.

We would like to thank Chance for his continued support of Biggerplate, and the excellent contribution he has made to our mind map library, and the world of mapping in general through his blog. 

To view mind maps by Chance Brown, click here>

To view the Mind Map Blog, click here>

To find Chance on Twitter, click here>

http://mindmapblog.com

MindGenius Comes to Biggerplate!

As we edge closer to the end of a very busy year at Biggerplate, we thought it would be nice if Christmas came a little early for mind mappers around the world, so we have added full support for MindGenius to the library at Biggerplate! This means you can now add MindGenius maps to the library for others to view and download! 

We are very excited to welcome MindGenius and their users to Biggerplate, especially as this has been highly requested by certain members of our community over the past six months! The focus on project management within the MindGenius business and user-base means we expect to see a significant increase in both the quantity and quality of map content in this area being shared on Biggerplate. As we continue to strengthen our position as a leading source of mind mapping content and community, our new partnership with the fantastic team at MindGenius represents another significant and exciting step in the right direction for Biggerplate and our members!

We are working closely with the team from MindGenius to bring you some great new map content over the next few months, and we hope their users will engage with us and become highly active members of our community. As Derek Jack, Director of MindGenius, said "MindGenius are looking forward to being a part of the Biggerplate community and we would encourage our users to take the opportunity to use this medium and share their own expertise, and gain fresh ideas on applying MindGenius." 

We look forward to welcoming MindGenius users to Biggerplate, and we thank the team at MindGenius for their hard work and help in making this great new collaboration come to life!

If you have not yet tried out MindGenius, we encourage you to do so, and you can access a free 30 day trial here>