A Virtual Rolodex of Tools and Resources for Coaches

I have been using Jott.com for a few weeks now - and I must say - I am loving it.

When I am away from my laptop - and I remember a task for a project component or I am making an appointment with someone - I just call it in to Jott - and it sends a message to MS Outlook .  It creates a prompt the task or Calendar entry. -  I get a chance to edit it for additional details.  I have found this a great way to be productive while I am sitting waiting for appointments .  I have even used it while I am standing in line at Costco!

The web-based software uses voice to text technology to convert what I am saying into text.  For the most part - the conversion has been “spot-on” in its translation - and the few times - it is not exactly as I had said it - it is pretty darn close - close enough for me to a quick edit for it.

The real test for me will be in a couple of weeks while I am on the road travelling.  I can already see how this is going to save me even more time.

One of the functions that I have not tested out is the voice-to-twitter function.  I must admit  - it sounds appealing - and yet my trust factor is still building for this function.  I am looking forward to doing a little experimentation when I have time.

Personal Brain is magnificent for linking thoughts, ideas, concepts, relationships.  Once you start creating your maps it is a snap to connect what they call “child” thoughts to a topic and include attachments such as mind maps, documents, spreadsheets, hyperlinks.

The joy of using personal brain comes in when you are needing to do rapid jumping from thought concept to thought concept.  I use it for mapping new information and resources related to research I am doing, my own learning objectives, training, as well as my personal interests.  I include links to documents on my hard drive - as well as embed things like mind maps right into my Personal Brain file.    It is speedy and quick and the only 1 draw back for me is that it does not print out well - and yet, for it’s performance on-screen - I haven’t found anything as fun to use - or as quick.

For me - besides the fun - I can “link” concepts from varied different sources together and quickly move from one to another.   This isn’t as easy to do in systems like MindManager and the like - because for the most part in those programs you want to attempt to keep each map relatively small - and you are better off just to use multiple maps.  With Personal Brain - Your file can be as large as you want it - and you don’t experience “information overload” like you can in other mapping programs.

This is not for everyone, but for those who are collecting large amounts of knowledge or information who want to access it quickly - Personal Brain can be a great resource.

Personal Brain Website:  The Brain

On The Brain site they have a good description of 12 ways most people use Personal Brain

In addition, the folks at The Brain also have information sessions and training sessions they run frequently for new and advanced users.

Sherman Hu - uses his brain as a Rolodex-ing.

We have other posts on  Mind Mapping

On August 31, 2008 Buzan iMap Version 3 is being released.  This release includes an amazing number of promised enhancements:

• New enhancements like Microsoft Office and Open Office integration
• Project management integration
• Exportable scalable Vector Graphics
• vastly improved speed
• new sketch pad capabilities
• and a long list of additional enhancements

I use other mapping software programs - and all have their own benefits.  Busan’s imap system - has the most organic feel - and most closely relates to the manual way of doing a mind map - The ability to manipulate, draw, use colours quickly - is so much like using coloured markers - it makes the whole process alot of fun.

If you haven’t tried a mind mapping software before - and if you want to give imap a try - The Buzan folks have a free 7day trial and if you are reading this post before 31Aug08 - they also have a limited time offer you may want to have a look at.

About a year ago - I decided I would include Social Media as one of the strategies in my own marketing plan.  What I have noticed in the past year is Social Media environments are changing like crazy.  It’s hard to get a handle on it all if you are just getting exposed to it all.   Here is what I have going on currently:

Here are some of the things I have joined and I have already found useful:

• A Twitter.com Account to connect with other practitioners and people who you are meant to serve
• A Twitpic.com account for sharing photographs in your Twitter Tweets
• A Youtube Account for Video uploading
• A Digg account for voting
• A del.icio.us account for social bookmarking
• A linkedIn account for my professional network
• A Plaxo account - (new for me this week - boy Plaxo has changed!)
• A FriendFeed account
• A Facebook account : Insider tip - Have a look at Mari Smith’s Product - She is a Facebook Expert
• A Myspace account - just to attract folks who may prefer there instead of Facebook
• A Blogtalkradio Account

Here are some I have joined - that I am sure I will be using in the very near future

• Pownce
• Ping.fm
• Ustream.tv

Here are some of the ones I have joined - and I haven’t yet found useful.

• Backflip
• Blinklist
• Favs
• Hubpages
• Wink

One of the things I am currently spending my time learning - is how to be most effective while casting a large Social Media net.

One person who does an excellent job of teaching you how to minimize your effort and maximize your return with social media is Nancy Marmelejo. Have a look at her offerings to give you a leg up on getting a handle of all this Social Media Stuff.