The changing nature of purchasing decisions

Over the last few years I've started using some form of mind mapping software. In keeping with my goal to move as much to the cloud as I could I started with  bubbl.us. I like bubbl.us - it's easy to use and free. However I found I wanted a little more functionality. After lots of research with the help of Chuck Frey's excellent Mind Mapping Software Blog, I tried the beta of Webspiration. For a web application I was impressed and for the better part of a year I used it to capture lots of corporate processes and models. Recently though cracks in my cloud have started to appear and I started looking at what else was out there.

After extensive (for me!) research I am now on day two of my trial with Novamind.  Aside from basic functionality and the user experience (which other offerings also have) I chose the Aussie company for the following reasons:

• They do have a Mac version.
• They do have an active online community they participate in.
• They did let me download the version of their software I wanted for 30 days.
• They have a new version coming out which they will upgrade new users to for free.
• The CEO, Gideon King is on twitter and followed me back.

I did write a detailed piece on each of the above. However, what I think is really important about the list is what it says about how I made my decision. A purchase is no longer about a simple exchange of money for product. It is also a fee for opening up a conversation. Novamind understands this (as do Batchblue for instance and even Apple to some degree) but you would be surprised how many companies do not.

Is this specific to software? or do other products / services need to pay attention?

Comments

[Brian S Friedlander]

Hi Stewart:

Interesting blog post - if you want to take a look at my blog http://assistivetek.blogspot.com I have lots of reviews of mindmapping applications and in some cases even videos.

Regards
Brian S. Friedlander
AssistiveTek Blog