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ThoughtOffice Corporation All Deals Business & Finance Software Business Mind Mapping Software

ThoughtOffice CEO Software

Unleash a World of Strategic Business Thought

$497

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Platforms: Windows 2000, XP, Vista (x32, x64), 7 (x32, x64) and Mac OS X

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Check it our folks: Today's ThoughtOffice CEO promotion also includes a free eBook copy of DaVinci and the 40 Answers by Mark L. Fox. That's a $19.95 value!

You know, out of all of those successful corporate leaders, only a handful of them were born with the natural talent to develop the strategies that skyrocketed their companies to greatness. The rest of them probably got a copy of ThoughtOffice CEO!

ThoughtOffice CEO is an associative thinking, innovation, and brainstorming tool that will unlock the gates to a new world of innovative ideas and solutions that span business, marketing, advertising, and strategic positioning!

But what exactly is ThoughtOffice CEO, you ask? It's a collection of 13,700 questions on sixteen separate topics, designed to make your brain work and grow. Through the power of word-linking and image databases, your thought processes will be enhanced to the point where new mind maps, product ideas, and creative work product will just be spilling out of your head nonstop!

About those databases -- right now there are nearly 10 million words, phrases, quotes, and images spinning around in them, being delivered to the minds of ThoughtOffice CEO users everywhere, and they are constantly updated with 12,000 new terms per week. That's right -- keep on using ThoughtOffice CEO, and keep getting BETTER.

Review Written by Derek Lee

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Expand All Email Updates Load 43 Older Comments

Mark Effinger Hey Fellow Brainstormers - Just a quick note with some additional details:
1) Our upgrade to v1.9 is nearly complete. We've worked all spring and summer on it, including OSX Lion compatibility. So look for both the update and some nice enhancements and fixes to ThoughtOffice (you'll receive the update free and automatically on launch when it's ready).

2) We're giving you an electronic copy of Mark Fox's Da Vinci and the 40 Answers book. Mark is an actual NASA Rocket Scientist an TRIZ-trained Innovation Leader. Great read on how to innovate and get creative on demand.

That's the stuff! We have more goodness coming, but we'll save that for a post-sale update.

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 21 2011 at 11:08pm Copy Link

Nikos P. Now that is a great business idea: Cater to CEOs, put "CEO" in your software title, set a price of almost $500 and see who's willing to join your church... Sorry, but where exactly lies the value of $500 in this product (except for all the promises)?

Aug 22 2011 at 1:06am Copy Link

Mark Effinger Hi Nikos,
Thanks for the inquiry.
We have just shy of 400,000 users to date, many of them CEO's or in the C-level of Fortune 500/Inc 5000 companies.

It's sort of the Henry Ford deal: If you have instant access to the knowledge base and thinking of 217 of the brightest minds in the world (and who knows how many who contribute 12k+ entries in our distributed databases every week) - then you're a big step ahead of the pack.

BTW: As a 12-time CEO myself, I've used ThoughtOffice (and IdeaFisher before it) since 1992 - basically the same week I read the first review of the program. If you'd like more insights, let me know.

Here's to your success,
ME

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 22 2011 at 1:13am Copy Link

qmyg jhwp is there a trial version I can test first?

Aug 22 2011 at 2:19am Copy Link

Mark Effinger Yes, absolutely: http://www.thoughtrod.com...downloads/ is the free download link for Mac and Windows machines.

Make sure to install to your Programs or Applications folder, or you'll have sketchy operation.

Thanks!
ME

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 22 2011 at 3:22am Copy Link

Mark Lynam For those considering purchasing this software, please also know that the support and feedback from the ThoughOffice Team is outstanding!

Aug 22 2011 at 6:13am Copy Link

Mark Effinger Thanks Mark!
Watch for an email from me (Bonus!).
Best to you,
ME

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 22 2011 at 7:13am Copy Link

Curious Steve I was thrilled to find ThoughtOffice (TO) a few months ago as this is a product I've been hunting down for a while now. I really love process and methodology for approaching complex problem solving. I've been most impress with the diversity of the TO modules.

I went around preaching TO for a while to my business partners, but I was surprised to find that most of them didn't "get it". I still don't know why. This might just be a product that you have to have the right itch for it to scratch.

I haven't been using TO as much lately, but I haven't been doing much product development either.

Now, it's not all peaches. While the content is amazing, it's locked into this software that's a bit cumbersome to use, especially on a Mac. I usually step through the modules and write my answers on paper instead.

If you run a business and value your time, you won't balk at the price like some comments here. Look beyond the software and see the value of the content.

Aug 22 2011 at 9:06am Copy Link

Mark Effinger Thanks for the kind comment, Steven.

We've been working on the various user interface options, and believe we may have developed a more elegant and seamless way to display and manipulate the content. This will show in v1.9.

We're also releasing a couple additional products. One mimics the way RSA Animate creates their visualizations. I'll make sure you get in the beta release for that program.

One thing I do to make the brainstorming process inside ThoughtOffice work for me is expand the interface to nearly full screen (on my MacBook Pro).

Go to Preferences and up the font sizes for each level of the outline.

Then I expand any give Topic Module to see all of the questions at once.

Command-Click 8-20 of the juiciest ones and get them all into a Session at once.

I play with them there using the IdeaBrowser to explore the words that jump off the page at me.

Then I might bring images in from my desktop/directory.

Finally, like you, I print them out in Storyboard Mode - and scribble in the margins.

Makes for a nice blend of computer-aided pen and inking.

Thanks again, and look for an email from me with an interesting doc.

Best,
ME

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 22 2011 at 9:16am Copy Link

Lupke Brother @ Steven
I agree with your customers at first. I was reading all stuff about Thoughtoffice and did not see the big picture in the beginning. My first thought was: 'who pays for software that does nothing for you, just asks questions? In the end you have to do it yourself'.

I was wrong. My wife and I have been experimenting with thoughtoffice a lot before we bought it. The last bitsdujour offer we bought the basic software and some (5 or so) modules we needed. We don't need all modules from the CEO package deal. My wife uses it mainly for work brainstorming with herself. And I use the ExpertWriter module. Great tools. And the funny thing is, when we are brainstorming together we sometimes ask each other questions we know from thoughtoffice even if we are not using the software. Never had a fight again with her, haha :-)

Maybe I'm buying some new modules in the future. But I can recommend it. You must try and look 5 minutes further than just the opening screen. The only negative thing I have is that the questions are all in English and not in other languages. Maybe in the future there will be non native versions!

Aug 22 2011 at 9:39am Copy Link

Mark Effinger Lupke,

I know exactly where you're coming from.

When I first met Marsh Fisher (co-founder of Century 21, and founder of IdeaFisher), he would pummel me with questions.

When he would consult to IdeaFisher users, he'd shamelessly hammer them with questions and "accuse" them of not crisply defining their problem, opportunity or issue.

Question Everything. Then go wide with your responses. Does amazing things for the mind - makes the neurons do gymnastics.

Thanks for the help explaining the concept. Much appreciate it. email me at me

thoughtoffice.com

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 22 2011 at 10:19am Copy Link

Roger Thomasson Apologies for the interruption!

We just switched email servers and are having a bit of trouble syncing the new with the old. If you aren't receiving your daily Bits please shoot me an email with the address you'd like us to use and I'll make sure you're added.

roger

bitsdujour.com

Now, back to your regularly-scheduled promotion :-)

-r

BitsDuJour Admin - Aug 22 2011 at 11:37am Copy Link

Keith Norton I have tried out the demo version and gone through the example videos and I am still completely clueless as to what to do with this software. I run my own business and was intrigued by the description as a brainstorming tool but as near as I can tell all one gets out of this is a list of questions and statements that you can turn into a slide show. Somehow I am really missing the point and I feel like an idiot.

Aug 22 2011 at 6:43pm Copy Link

Mark Effinger Hi Keith,

You're no idiot. Really.

I've built one Inc 500 company, sold 7 companies for cash and stock, and helped a handful more sell for valuations north of $24,000,000. I lack a high school diploma, but train CEO's, PhD's and MBA's every month. Not because I'm smarter than they (not by a long shot). But because rote learning and brainstorming are polar opposites. They're not taught in B-School (though Rottman and some of the more progressive universities are rockin' their innovation programs).

You're not alone.

The process of brainstorming, especially with software, alone or in a group, is still relatively new (the first app to hit the market was developed by my mentor, Marsh Fisher, in 1988 - and was $50,000 per copy).

The basics are: Define your issue/problem or opportunity.
To do that, ask questions in the area you need to work (whether general "idea generation", or more specific, as in Marketing or product Development). It's best to have expert questions (we do). But ANY questions will open your neuro pathways to help expose solutions.

So now we know what the problems and opportunities are. And we've drilled-down from an experts viewpoint (we have 217 experts who contributed to these 16 Expert Topic Modules. We've compressed their decades of wisdom into simple outlines accessed with a click).

The next part is to go wide. Get into your customer/client/market's shoes and explore without boundaries. That's what the IdeaBrowser does. In 1988 we had 10,000 associations. In 1995 we had 65,000 associations. Today, we top more than 10,000,000 associations. And growing by 12,000+ per week.

FInally, you need a place to organize and preview and reorganize your thought process. So you can hand it to someone(s) who can help you make the idea into something valuable. The Session is where that happens. Think of it as an artists canvas or an outliner with more brains.

I hope that helps. And we also provide brainstorming consulting and support. In fact, we've had nearly 1/5th of our clients over the last seven years buy the software and not crack the seal for a year or more. They called the purchase "the price of admission" to getting access to our experience and brainstorming services. Which is both humbling, and a lot of fun.

Here's to your next great innovation,
ME

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 22 2011 at 8:00pm Copy Link

Mark Effinger Also Keith: We're creating a whole new series of training videos based on real-world examples. These will align with the improvements in v1.9. They will also include some ThoughtOffice=mindmapping=whiteboarding.

Because we find many great ideas happen on sticky notes, on the bathroom mirror and the classic coffee shop napkin (always loved the ad with the 50¢ cup of joe struck out and a $4 price in place of it. A tip-o-the-hat to Starbuck's).

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 22 2011 at 8:05pm Copy Link

Nico Westerdale Due to the overwhelming response ThoughtOffice Corporation has agreed to extend this deal for another day - Enjoy!

BitsDuJour Admin - Aug 23 2011 at 12:00am Copy Link

Mark Effinger w00t!

Thanks folks. And if you didn't get your eBook Bonus, please email us. Some of those PDF's bounced when we tried the delivery - feel free to harass us.

To your brainstorming success,
ME

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 23 2011 at 4:57am Copy Link

SoftCollector I installed it and it looks like a quotations dictionary with a clumsy interface at a ridiculous prize. I do not mean to sound critical or negative, but this seems like a good example of a typically American trait: the misunderstanding of education and knowledge, and the misrepresentation of success without formal training in a country where most people seem to believe that McDonalds is the epitome of cooking greatness.

Internet is full of propositions from business gurus, CEO trainers and extremely knowledgeable dietologists with no university degree, each of them selling their own breakthrough get-rich-fast shortcut to heaven to all willing to pay the hefty price.

This just comes to prove that there are too many people around who are unsatisfied with themselves, and at the same time too lazy to invest the time and effort to improve, so a shortcut to greatness, even an imaginary one, is always welcome.

Aug 23 2011 at 6:39am Copy Link

Lupke Brother @ SoftCollector
Well, everybody has it's own opinion.Good for you. But the last thing you said I don't agree. This software has nothing to do with unsatisfied people and/or people not willing to invest in themselves to improve. Simply said TO is software to help you analyze and implement your thoughts and ideas, share them with others, just brainstorm with yourself and most important to help you getting further with these ideas and thoughts. It has nothing to do with GURUS or the meaning of life :-). It's just a tool to help you with your business, writing et cetera. Nothing more, nothing less. So, I think you have misunderstood the 'intuition' behind the idea of TO.

Aug 23 2011 at 6:53am Copy Link

Keith Norton @Softcollector
Wow! I had no idea that people trying to better themselves was such a terrible thing and such a source of anti-American sentiment. While I can agree with some of what you say, you have taken it to a whole new level of bitterness that probably does not belong in this forum.

Aug 23 2011 at 8:14am Copy Link

Roger Thomasson Ok folks, gonna step in here. Let's leave off this topic before it gets ugly/silly/etc.

Thanks for being cool!

-r

BitsDuJour Admin - Aug 23 2011 at 11:53am Copy Link

Mark Effinger Thanks for the kind support, my Brothers @Lupke & @Keith.

@Softcollector - my questions, in reference to your comment, are:
1) What prompted your response? Was it the download and install that lead you (laterally and literally) to derogatory food comments and the bashing of success without formal training?

2) I viewed your profile and list of software wants and suggestions. Not enough there for me to decipher the person behind the comment. But would very much like to know more.

I apologize if my response far above is wordy. Or appears to credit success without formal process. I did the work. I continue to ask lots of questions of great, experienced leaders and experts in order to decode life, business, success... even food.

There is no shortcut to success. Neither is University necessarily that path for everyone.

When I dropped out of school, it was a defining moment. I wasn't failing school. Not even close. But my work at the time (making parts for nuclear reactors as a precision machinist). The mentoring from the owners of the shop (and many other entrepreneurial leaders). And my passion to do AND learn in parallel were not suited for traditional education. I spent months agonizing over the options.

I am humbled to speak at universities now. Not about me. About the possibilities the students have to really make a difference with their contributions to society, business, life, family. I value and honor the educational process, and the great educators I meet. Talk about a tough, challenging and in many cases, an undercompensated job.

As we complete the update to ThoughtOffice, I encourage you to give it another try (and if price is an issue, the base version is even more affordable, so you can wade in without hurting your pocketbook). iOS, Android and other versions coming as well.

I wish you success, however you define it.

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 23 2011 at 12:20pm Copy Link

Mark Effinger Dagnabbit, Roger! Just when things start getting fun...

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 23 2011 at 12:22pm Copy Link

Roger Thomasson :-)

BitsDuJour Admin - Aug 23 2011 at 12:51pm Copy Link

Mark Effinger In the process of updating ThoughtOffice, we developed a Button Builder software application. It's very cool, and makes really pretty Web 2.0 "glass" buttons, as well as just about any style you can think of.

If you're interested, we might run the app through a campaign via our friends here at BitsduJour. Let me know, friends. We'll make it really affordable and, as always, cross-platform (Mac+Win) compatible.

Thanks much.

As always, you folks truly rock. It's been an adventurous 45:50.

ThoughtOffice Corporation - Aug 23 2011 at 9:51pm Copy Link