Mind Mapping Business Success

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Identify examples of successful businesses that exist because of the internet.
  
• Create a mind map to organize research findings.
  
• Demonstrate knowledge of reasons some companies are successful.

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Materials

For the whole group:

• Smartboard or projector, for displaying video and chart

For each group:

• Large piece of chart paper
• Markers
• Pens/Pencils
• A device for accessing the Internet such as a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer

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Preparation

• Read through and familiarize yourself with the entire activity.
• Ensure access to and preview the Mind Mapping video.
• Gather all other necessary materials.

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"Mind Mapping" Video

Activity Steps

1. Ask students to name some successful companies that exist because of the internet. Write a list on the board as students share their ideas. (Possible responses may include: Amazon, Google, Uber, Netflix, YouTube, GrubHub, Spotify, Stitch Fix, and Instacart).
2. Tell students that today they will be creating mind maps as they research a successful internet company.
3. Play the “Mind Mapping” video, pausing as needed to answer questions and make sure students understand the process.
4. Divide students into small groups and tell them to select a company from the list you created on the board.
5. Explain that the company's name will be in the center of the mind map, and the elements that have made the company successful will be the branches.
6. Display or write the following five possibilities that students could use as the branches of their mind maps, along with these questions to guide them as they research:
   
   • Product or Service: What did the company do or sell that made it become a successful company? What does the company need to keep doing or selling to continue to be successful?
   • Resources: What resources do the company need to have available for it to continue to be successful?
   • Value: How valuable is the company’s product or service?
   • Customers: Who are the company’s customers? How does the company treat its customers?
   • Partners (other companies): Does the company use other companies to help it continue to be successful?
7. Break students into groups, have them do their research and create their mind maps. Tell them they may add other branches to their maps as they work.
8. Circulate the room as students work and assist as needed.
9. When they are finished, have each group share their mind maps.
10. Wrap up the activity with a whole-group discussion. Ask:
    
    • Which branch of your mind map has the most important piece of information? What is this information, and why do you think it’s the most important thing that you learned?
    • What elements do these successful companies seem to share? How do you think these elements have helped these companies continue to be successful? (Possible answer: I think successful companies treat their customers well. This helps companies continue to be successful because customers who are treated well often buy goods and services from the same companies again and again. Treating customers well can make them be loyal to a company.)
    • All of these companies exist because of the internet. Why do you think the internet has become so important to a business’s success? (Possible answers: Many people use the internet every day, and businesses want to help people do the things that they do online. The internet has also made life very convenient, and businesses want to develop products and services that make life easier or more enjoyable.)

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Variations

1. Ask students to create timelines that display important events in the history of the business they have chosen to research.

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