When I am working on projects for my clients; most of time I write my ideas or concepts on my small white board and/or draw them out on a piece of paper. For me, it might be a better idea to map or draw my ideas through a software application that can demonstrate my ideas in a presentable way.
What is Mind Mapping?
Mind Mapping is a way to demonstrate your ideas, concepts, structure or analyze your information, and generate ideas for your business.
Benefits to Mind Mapping
Mind mapping offers several benefits for your business. These
benefits include the following:
1. Planning your projects
2. Creating an organization chart
3. Illustrate or create a work flow process
4. Sharing your ideas/concepts on your website
Mind Mapping Software
There are so many different types of mind mapping software to use for your business but I have pointed out at four types of mind mapping software application you can use for free for your business ideas, concepts, or just brainstorming.
XMind. XMind is open source software that you can use to brainstorm your ideas. I like the fact that XMInd is simple to use without a lot of instructions and that it can be used on Macintosh, Linux, and Windows. In addition, XMind can be saved as a .jpg, text file, or even an .html file to post on your website. You can also create an account to benefit from other features as well as download the software and start using.
Cost: Free
URL: http://www.xmind.net/
Free Mind. FreeMind is used on Windows platform. This software can be downloaded and used as well as exported out into different formats like that of XMind such as .png, jpg, .html, .pdf and if you use Open Office; it gives you the option to export to Open Office Writer. For me, this one took a while to understand how to create or illustrate my ideas. However, below I have noted some Free Mind tutorials.
Cost: Free
URL: http://sourceforge.net/projects/freemind/
The Brain. The Brain is one I just found out from another group I belong to. The Brain allows you to type in your thoughts or ideas. This is simply done by dragging and dropping/importing files and web pages that you want to use. I like this one because you can not only import files such as a Word Outline but some of your bookmarks as well. The Brain has the capability to export your information out to a .html file to upload to your web page for others to see your ideas. In addition, I like this one in which it is cross platform accepting Windows, Macintosh, and Linux users and provides a free version and a paid version.
Cost: Both free and paid version
URL: http://www.thebrain.com
Sticky Sorter. This one is more like sticky notes but you can still express your thoughts, concepts, or ideas with this one. Once you click on the Sign On button; it directs you to your Hotmail account to sign in. The Sticky Sorter allows you to include Notes in. The Sticky Sorter is used basically for Windows XP or Vista.
Cost: Free
URL:
http://www.officelabs.com/projects/stickysorter/Pages/default.aspx
There are so many mind mapping tools to use for your business to plan your ideas or concepts. Do you use mind mapping? If so, which one do you use?
