How to Create a Mindmap To Help Your Business Process
If you were to ask a business owner just what the keys to success in their company are, there is a strong chance that one of their answers would be “complicated business processes”.
Team / Venngage Inc.
After all, just about every industry and every type of company have specific tasks and jobs that need to be completed. Whether it’s tracking inventory, scheduling appointments, writing reports, or something else entirely, the fact of the matter is that some business tasks can be difficult.
However, there’s some good news: mind map online free templates can help you break complicated tasks and processes into more manageable chunks. Using it will also allow you to visualize your ideas and pinpoint which areas might need improvement. This is a great way to get a visual representation of ideas and plans.
In this article, we’ll take a look at mind maps online and how you can use them for your business. We’ll also explore mind mapping tools and software programs so that you don’t have to go it alone when creating a mind map for your business.
What is a Mindmap?
Bronwyn Kienapple / Venngage Inc.
A mind map is basically a visual representation of how one thought or concept relates to another. It can take this form when mind mapping software is being used, but it can also be done by hand when mind maps are created the old-fashioned way.
The reason mind maps work so well in breaking complicated tasks down is that mind maps are both creative and logical; they use the right side of the brain to help people to come up with new ideas.
Sometimes mind maps can even be used by individuals who need to make a connection, such as when mind mapping your dreams or mind mapping your favorite books.
How to Mind Map
There’s mind mapping software and there’s mind mapping by hand, but both share some similarities. They also have their own distinctive challenges that you’ll need to keep in mind as you go about mind mapping.
Bronwyn Kienapple / Venngage Inc.
When mind mapping by hand, it can be difficult to remember what each thought or concept is connected to and how it relates to the mind map as a whole.
When mind mapping with mind mapping software, you’ll need to keep in mind that there are program-specific functions that you will want to use when creating mind maps for your business.
There are five steps involved when mind mapping by hand:
1.) Do some brainstorming and make jottings until you come up with your mind map’s main concept.
Pavel Kukhnavets / Hygger
2.) Expand on this concept, taking each of its individual elements and mind mapping them separately.
Team / Aevo
3.) Connect your mind-mapped ideas; if you’re mind-mapping business processes or tasks, then each item should be connected to the ones that precede it (and follow it). This means that if you mind maps your business’s monthly sales, then each item should be connected to the previous month’s sales and the next month’s.
Lisa Jo Rudy / Envato Pty Ltd.
4.) Add colors, shapes, symbols, and images to make your blank mind map more visually appealing. This isn’t necessary, but it will definitely help you with clarity. Don’t worry about adding too many or even spacing things out – a mind map is meant to be a freeform exercise that does not have any real rules.
Alice Mollon / Wix.com, Inc
5.) Get constructive with your mind mapping by doing a little self-critiquing. Look at how everything is connected; do some of the mind maps branch out in unnecessary directions? Do others take too long to get anywhere? What can you improve upon when mind mapping in the future?
Robert Moore / Artists Network
Benefits of Mind Mapping for Business
Mind mapping is a great way to break down and simplify complicated tasks and processes, so it’s only natural that mind maps can be helpful in business. Mind maps also allow you to:
- Provide structure to your ideas
- Allow for creativity when mind mapping your thoughts
- Help you to get organized when mind mapping business tasks or processes
- Promote innovative thinking since mind maps are known for being freeform exercises based on personal associations
Stephen Miller, CEBS / SHRM.
Overall, mind maps are an excellent tool that can help both individuals and businesses. If you’d like more information about mind mappings, then check out some mind map templates. There are dozens of templates available that will give you mind mapping ideas and help you to mind map like a pro.
What’s Next?
The mind map creator templates provided are meant to be a way for you to mind map your business tasks, but they can also have other applications. If you need some mind mapping examples for those who aren’t familiar with mind maps, then try out our mind mapping article on Venngage.
It provides some great ideas and mind mapping simple tips that will help you to make the most of mind mappings. Come back soon as we post more mind map maker free articles and sales mindsets.
