I saw this question on an Internet Marketing Forum this morning:
"Has(sic) any of you tried getting interviewed by someone else, on tape, for the purpose of getting stuff you know out of your head and onto paper?"

I think it's an interesting question so here are some of my own tips and techniques

I love Mind Maps and Spider Diagrammes. I have a stock of paper that has been overprinted with a Cloud motif and I use that for mind mapping if I'm in my office. (I also carry a stock around in my briefcase) I also use software, there's a free application called Freemind which is quite powerful or, if you want a feature packed solution, you should check out Mindjet.

Another useful method of capturing ideas, especially when driving, is to dictate directly to some form of recording device. In the office I simply use my PC, when I'm out and about I use a Sony Minidisc recorder or I simply use the facility on my Mobile Phone. I have even been known to ring my own office number to record a message in my voice mail!

The most effective form of brainstorming is when you can put together a group of people. The internet makes it easy for us to record brainstorming calls with Joint Venture Partners using Skype together with HotRecorderPro.

If I want to remember something or simply to capture an idea for review at a later time, I find that the best solution id jotting the basic details down into my notebook or my diary. Sometimes the simple solutions are the best!

One of my most favourite idea tools is the combination of  "MagNotes" and my office whiteboard. Magnotes are magnetic hexagonal tiles that you can move around your whiteboard. You can write on them with marker pens, so you can edit them and they are totally reusable. They come in a wide variety of colours and sizes too.

John