Mapping Your Win with a Strategy Map

Mind mapping is a fluid visual way to lay out your thoughts. Each thought is plotted into a logical map so they create relationships between each thought. In doing this you can quickly and easily pull large amounts of ideas in your mind into a single document where it begins to make sense. Arranging tasks or strategies can become a simple process rather than a heap of random thoughts.

I particularly prefer the mind map technique over a complex narrative document since it is faster, more fluid, and easily changed with the additional information. For these reasons, Tru-Win uses a strategy map instead of a formal business plan to organize our growth. You must put thought into where your business is and where it is going. For most, we immediately think this means a fancy business plan. The reality is the most business plans are painstakingly written and then collect dust in a desk drawer never to be read again.

The strategy map is a mind map that grows and evolves with the business. Many of the elements and logical questions answered in a business plan are found on the strategy map. Then as our best ideas meet the realities of life we can update and change the plan with what we know today. The value for us, the frugal entrepreneur is in the forced focused thought we put into the map. We do not gain value in the fancy business plan because no one is giving us money. Even if we were asking an angel for an investment or loan the thought put into a strategy map would easily transition into a simple, well-organized pitch deck.

When creating your map begin by asking….. In order to win, we must ___________ and allow the thoughts to flow into your map.  You are starting to develop the backlog of barriers to your success.  To find the most critical barriers ask…… In order to sell the next customer, we must _____________ and see what ideas come to mind.  Test your assumptions by asking…..  In order to sell the next customer, we must [ A ] because [ B ].   Now reverse your answers to test the assumption.  If [ B ] then [ A ] because this is what will cause our next customer to buy.

Then ask… Why is it not done yet?  Replacing it with [ A ].   Why is [ A ] not done yet?

You get the Tru Win Company strategy map when you purchase Tru Edge.

Tools for Mind Mapping

Xmind Zen – One of my favorites
Freemind 
The Brain – more complicated for a beginner but an incredible program.
MindNode
MindManager 
Mindmeister