You asked for it...so we built it!

The new Partner Gateway is the most significant step forward for Mindsystems Partners in years.

This new platform enables automation and streamlining of the ordering process, as well as combining integrated partner support.

Using the new platform, our partners can:

• Access their buy prices in real time (ensuring up to date prices are only a click away),
• Purchase securely online to refill stock 24/7 using PO or credit card,
• In most cases have license keys and downloads delivered instantly,
• Look up complete order history including end user info / license keys & purchase prices,
• Get priority support and service,
• Access to sales materials and brochures,
• Access to secondary services such as training, downloads and user manuals.

For more information or to register as a Mindsystems Partner click here.

Have you checked out mindsystems.com recently?

Not that looks are everything...

...but our team thought 'new year = new image'

So now the bandages are off, we invite you to take a look around the new web site. We have done our best to organize product information in a more concise way.

We have also added some interesting new products...

We hope you like it!

Argument maps are box-and-line diagrams that lay out visually reasoning and evidence for and against a statement or claim. A good map clarifies and organizes thinking by showing the logical relationships between thoughts that are expressed simply and precisely.

Argument maps are driven by asking, ‘Should I believe that? Why, or why not?’.

While this takes on the appearance of mapping, this is different to a normal mind map®. Rather than seeking to simply map out all the information, it actually forms a focused outcome through reasoning.

You can produce two kinds of argument maps in Rationale:

1. Reasoning maps, which lay out arguments in a quick, intuitive way

2. Analytic maps, which enable a more careful and rigorous analysis of an argument.

Different kinds of map are defined by the nature of the relationships they depict – what the boxes and lines mean.

What kind of map, depends on:

• what goes in the boxes; and
• what the connecting lines indicate.

Argument Maps show only evidential (inferential) relationships between claims. In Argument Maps, the lines mean something very specific: that something is a reason to believe or a reason not to believe something else. Argument maps are driven by the question, ‘Why should I believe that?’. Any map driven by that question is an Argument Map.

For more information on Rationale click here...

We have mentioned in previous news letters that we had formed a technology partnership with The Literacy Company.

So what are the results of this new partnership?

• In the next few weeks we will be running our first Fluent Reading courses, and Mindsystems will become the Master (Platinum Accreditation) Fluent Reading Centre for the Asia/Pacific region. There are tremendous opportunities for the entrepreneurs to acquire a Reading Centre License in one of the fastest growing areas of the market. Contact Mindsystems on +61 3 9770 2555 for information on this.

• We are planning a special event just for Secretaries and Personal Assistants to coincided with Secretaries Day in May. Note: Managers and Bosses are banned from this course! Seriously, if you would like further information please contact jce@mindsystems.com.au

• We are please to announce the Opening of our first Fluent Reading Centre (Gold Accreditation) In Singapore. The centre, operated by Henry Huang (CEO of ThreeP Solutions) said: “This is the most exciting opportunity I have had for years! It not only has huge growth potential but has the capacity to really impact the way people and organisations work”  The Singapore Fluent Reading Centre will be running their own ‘Secretaries and Personal Assistants day on 22nd April 2008 at the Albert Court Hotel in Singapore. For more information please contact Henry directly at henryhuang@threepsolutions.com or on his mobile +65 91558833. Visit the web site now... www.threepsolutions.com

We all forget names from time to time so I thought I’d share with you the following simple tip from Chris Lyons, Australian Memory Record Holder and Director of Gloo The Memory Company.

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- Bad Memory For Names? Get A Dog

I recently stumbled upon something most peculiar.

I guess you’d call it a memory phenomenon…

…it appears that the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy North is home to a mysterious, elite group of people possessing super memory powers.

I came upon the group quite by chance whilst out walking our labradoodle puppy, Mambo.

You see each morning these memory maestros gather in the local park to socialise, walk their four-legged friends and quietly demonstrate their amazing powers of recall to passers-by.

At first I didn’t really notice it.

But after numerous early morning visits to the park I was struck by the fact that everyone I met was able to recall Mambo’s name, regardless of how briefly they had met the fluffy fella – or how long ago.
Not that impressive you may think, until you consider that this particular park is doggy heaven, a hang-out to literally hundreds of mutts.

Needless to say I was intrigued.

What was the secret to their amazing powers of recall?

Was there something special in the water in 3068?

Was there some strange confluence of magnetic forces deep below the ground conspiring to make Fitzroy North the memory Mecca of Australia?

Or were these strange people the guardians of some long lost magical memory technique for remembering names?

In an effort to uncover the truth, I quizzed several of them hoping to discover some great new method for making names stick.

Alas I was disappointed.

No memory secrets. No magical techniques.

Turns out that everyone I asked had just one thing in common…

…they loved dogs.

Yep, that simple.

They owed their incredible ability to remember names purely to being genuinely interested in the dogs that they met.

Sadly, my admiration for their memory skills was somewhat diminished upon subsequent visits to the park when they all still remembered Mambo… but few of them could remember my name.

A great way to discover that your dog is more interesting than you are.

The Final Word: If you’re looking for ways to improve your memory the message is clear – get yourself a dog. Or failing that just be interested in the things you’d like to remember.
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The above is just one of 29 short articles from the free ebook ‘How To Remember Names, Present Without Notes And Get More Done’ which is packed full of practical tips, ideas and suggestions to save you time, boost your memory and help you tackle information overload.

You can download a free copy of the ebook from the Gloo website http://www.gloo.com.au.

And from now until 15 February you can also benefit from a special 2 for 1 offer on Gloo’s upcoming Memory Workshops in Melbourne and Sydney. For full details just visit http://www.gloo.com.au.