Why Your Method of Brainstorming Isn’t Getting Results
http://lifehacker.com/5885273/why-your-method-of-brainstorming-isnt-getting-results

Couched in the headline “Brainstorming doesn’t work,” The New Yorker explains that brainstorming where you just throw out ideas and see what sticks has no better track record than sitting down and trying to consciously come up with good solutions. Even in groups, brainstorming won’t work on its own—at least not until you take the next step and critically examine each idea, regardless of who submitted it or how.

I’ve been in many brainstorming sessions that don’t work, just as this article alludes to.

When I lead a brainstorming session, I use Mind Maps, as it enables me to provide guided brainstorming sessions.

Often, brainstorming is just a random set of ideas that get generated by a group. A common method is to use “Post It” notes to write down ideas and then group them together afterwards. This often leads to a number of totally unrelated ideas that are useless in solving the problem(s) at hand.

I more likely want to come up with good solutions to problems in a brainstorming session. I therefore structure the problem in a way that enables good feedback by using Mind Maps.

This keeps the group focused on solutions to the specific problems. Mind Map Software is great, as it allows very easy restructuring of the ideas on the fly. By projecting a large Mind Map onto a screen and facilitating a brainstorming session with good Mind Map Software, I am able to conduct very productive brainstorming sessions and achieve outstanding solutions, as the participants can visually explore their ideas as the session progresses.

While it is not a brainstorm, as it is commonly practiced, it is a storming of brains working towards a solution in a structured, yet exciting, fun and visual way – and that makes all the difference.

The following article made me ask whether we are selling solutions to problems, simply products to make money.

Identify The Problem, Then Solve It
http://harveymackay.com/column/identify-the-problem-then-solve-it/

Let me repeat a basic principle in the sales and marketing world:  People don’t usually buy products and services.  They buy solutions to problems.

And adhering to that principle determines who succeeds at sales.

Successful salespeople and marketers learn that fundamental lesson early on.  They tailor their products and services to meet a demand that is not necessarily immediately evident, but nonetheless very real.  They identify problems in terms of solutions.

Reading this article made me realize that we do sell solutions to your problems. We help solve your learning problems by using Mind Maps to make learning faster and easier. (http://www.usingmindmaps.com/learning-management-program.html)

We also provide you with a repeatable process, so that you can remain a lifelong learner and maintain a competitive advantage.

So, if you want to get ahead at school, college, university, work, business, or in your personal life,  follow a learning process and use tools (like Mind Maps) to help you learn faster and easier.

Seth’s Blog: The sad irony of selfishness

More often than not, the selfish person is insecure, fearful and filled with doubt. The selfishness springs from his belief that this is his only good idea, his last dollar, his one and only chance to avoid failure. “I need this, not you,” he says, because he truly believes he’s got nothing else going on, no other chance, no hope.

I am often asked why I spend so many hours blogging and writing articles on our Using Mind Maps website. There are over 100 free articles on using Mind Maps based on my own views and hundreds of blog posts on MindMapTutor.com. Not to mention the Facebook Page and Twitter updates.

I also offer a free monthly newsletter and a free email course on what a good learning program should look like.

This is in contrast to what many people believe they should do to survive and gain a competitive advantage, but I truly believe that the more you give, the more you shall receive.

I was therefore glad to see this post by Seth Godin, one of the leading marketers in the world. He also supports the idea that what you give will be returned manifold – sometimes in ways that you least expect it.

So, if you feel that you would like to share your ideas or your experiences with Mind Maps, I have created a space for you on our website, where you can share your ideas with the world (at no cost to you) and reap some of the benefits of sharing.

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