Mind Mapping for Annual Business Reviews

In this detailed and highly practical session, Liam Hughes demonstrates how to use mind mapping to plan and facilitate effective annual business reviews. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or part of a large team, Liam shows how to structure your review using simple but powerful mind map templates. With advice on designing workshops, managing group dynamics, and converting insights into action, this webinar is a playbook for making year-end reflection strategic, visual, and actionable. Timestamped Themes & Topics [00:00:03] – Introduction & Purpose of the Webinar Setting the scene for annual reviews using mind maps to reflect on the past year and prepare for the next. [00:02:28] – Software Used: AOA Mind Mapping Introduction to AOA software and its collaborative features. [00:03:40] – Why Annual Reviews Matter Encouragement to keep the process simple and focus on learning, planning, and decision-making. [00:04:50] – Four Webinar Outcomes Simplified approach, practical examples, encouragement to try it, and timing advice for implementation. The POSTA Framework [00:06:37] – Purpose, Outcome, Structure, Timing, Attendees Explanation of POSTA as a foundational planning tool for running effective review meetings or workshops. Who Should Do Annual Reviews? [00:08:33] – Solo Entrepreneurs to Large Teams Examples of different audiences—from solo business owners to leadership teams and functional teams (e.g., sales, marketing). [00:09:43] – Coaches & Consultants How the framework helps facilitators guide others through the process. Simple Review Map Template [00:11:41] – How to Build and Use the Map Start with POSTA. Use simple prompts: positives, negatives, opportunities, risks, and action types (stop, start, do more/less/maintain). [00:17:15] – Top-Three Thinking Avoid overload by focusing meetings on a maximum of three clear outcomes. [00:21:03] – Action Planning Use high-level language to avoid micromanaging. Translate feedback into categories before tasks. Advanced Review Template [00:25:56] – Going Deeper with External, Leadership, and Internal Lenses Explore a more detailed template breaking down reviews into categories like markets, finance, leadership, strategy, and operations. [00:28:16] – Keeping the Language Human Why simple prompts and plain language help everyone participate meaningfully, even on sensitive topics. Workshop Facilitation Tips [00:31:02] – Biases to Manage Recency bias, seniority bias, action bias, and general fatigue. [00:33:35] – Design Tips Include structured brainstorming, time for individual thinking, and physical activities to keep people engaged. [00:38:20] – The Diverge–Explore–Converge Model Brainstorming flow: individual ? pairs ? group input ? capture in the mind map. Mind Map Execution During the Review [00:44:17] – Capture & Categorize in Real Time Use facilitator prompts to draw out contributions and visually group themes in the mind map. [00:46:29] – Using Structure to Guide the Session The advanced template helps teams dive deep into each topic using layered, nested branches. Post-Review Action & Follow-Up [00:48:45] – Avoiding the “All Talk” Outcome Set expectations, define next steps, and revisit maps regularly. [00:50:54] – Task Tracking in AOA Demonstration of assigning tasks and managing them within AOA’s task view and dashboard. [00:52:16] – Sharing and Exporting Maps Suggestions for exporting mind maps into outlines or Word documents for broader accessibility. Live Q&A Highlights [00:56:09] – How Much Time Should You Allocate? Depends on your POSTA answers; sessions may range from a couple of hours to multiple weekly sessions. [00:58:55] – Should You Add Tasks During the Session? Caution advised—avoid getting into granular tasks too early; keep discussions strategic. [01:01:00] – Access to Maps in AOA & MindManager Formats Templates will be made available in multiple formats post-session. [01:02:19] – Can AI Help? A brief demo of AOA’s AI features, showing how it can assist with brainstorming topics.