New to Information Mapping? Try starting here
Posted by Andrew Jackson on Thu, Jun 25, 2009 @ 11:27 AM
If you're looking for some insight into Information Mapping and you want something that's a bit less formal than the section on our website, then this is a good starting point.
First of all, before I even start talking about what it is and why I absolutely love it, let's talk about why you you might not have heard much about it before. Because this is an interesting point that comes up in conversation time and time again.
This is a typical reaction many people have: hey, you're raving about this thing and telling me how good it is and how it can help me - how come (if it's really that good) that I've never heard of it before. After all I've heard of Mind Mapping, but not your Information Mapping thing.
A fair point don't you think? I don't know that I can give you an absolute definitive answer as to why, but here goes.
1. It's predominantly been used in business
Unlike Mind Mapping which is a skill that both consumers and business people know about, Information Mapping has always been positioned as a business tool - not something for the general public even though (just like Mind Mapping) it can be extremely useful and beneficial outside of the confines of the business world.
2. Its creator was not a big publicist
Having met Information Mapping's creator, Robert Horn, several times over the years, I can testify to the fact that he's a very modest man. He's not a person who wants to endlessly publicise his research and achievements.
So unlike Mind Mapping's creator, Tony Buzan, who is out there publicising and promoting his approach (and nothing wrong with that I must add), Robert Horn has taken a much more laid back approach.
3. You can't buy a book about Information Mapping
Or at least not one that you'd be happy to read at bedtime! There are some very academic publications out there about Information Mapping, but if you're looking for an 'Information Mapping for Dummies' then you'll be disappointed.
4. Information Mapping partners focus on solutions not product promotion
Although Information Mapping's global partners engage in actively marketing the approach, they do it from the point of view of solving customer problems. So unless we think you are a business who might benefit from our help - you probably won't have heard of us. In other words, don't expect us to be popping up on 'Oprah' or 'The One Show' anytime soon.
So in case you were dubious and thought we might be involved in the selling of snake oil or vodoo dolls, I hope that has helped to re-assure you about why you might not have heard about Information Mapping before.
Having cleared that point up, I hope I can now go on to some more posts about Information Mapping and why I think it's so great!