Released on: June 26, 2008, 12:46 am

Press Release Author: Mark Alan Effinger

Industry: Software

Press Release Summary: Innovation software offers many problem solving methods.
Newly updated innovation software, ThoughtOffice, provides proven processes for
vertical & lateral thinking, with an organizer to speed the generation of real,
useful ideas. The program centers on \"creativity to productivity\", a proven approach
that gets ideas out of the ethereal and into the market as real-world solutions.


Press Release Body: Portland, OR, June 26,2008 -- Innovation software. The concept
is to help solve problems, create innovations, generate new ideas. The challenge has
been to drive both vertical processes or systematic \"drill-down\" on a concept, while
also seeing the breadth of the idea (known as Lateral Thinking). A newly updated
product from a Portland, Oregon firm called ThoughtOffice Corporation combines both
elements in a fast, simple to use program that promises accelerated innovation.

\"We believe the innovation process should go from the very germ of an idea through
the point at which the idea is proven in the market -- at least in terms of a
business innovation\" says Mark Alan Effinger, CEO of ThoughtOffice Corporation
(www.ThoughtOffice.com), a Portland, Oregon based innovation software firm. \"We call
it \'Creativity to Productivity\' or \'Concept to Cashflow\' when it comes to the
product innovation process. Good ideas should solve problems and create real revenue
opportunities.\"

The ThoughtOffice Innovation Software works by providing an organizer
http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=35) in which to collect images, ideas,
concepts, and questions. Content can be added directly on the page, or pulled in
from one of two additional palettes:

* The Topics Browser - a set of 16 Topic Modules containing from 250-2,500 questions
each. These modules provide series of questions and topical \"setups\" along with
accompanying images to help systematically drill down on any given subject. Modules
available include Advertising, Marketing, Conflict-Resolution and Evaluation of
Ideas. Examples can be seen at http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=4.

* The IdeaBrowser - a palette that provides access to over 7.6 million images,
lyrics, definitions, synonyms, quotes, associations, rhyming words, etc... These
elements are placed into a Queue, then added into the main ThoughtOffice interface.
Information can be found at http://www.thoughtoffice.com/?page_id=7.

\"Brainstorming software should get out of the way, so the user can explore ideas
quickly and effortlessly. We believe the way ThoughtOffice works helps accomplish
that goal, while still delivering significant creative input\" according to Chipp
Walters, lead developer of the ThoughtOffice architecture. \"By separating the
lateral thinking engine from the systematic engine as palettes, we\'ve reduced the
noise and improved the user experience. Clients such as Homeland Security, NASA,
Apple and Novartis have responded well to the way the program works. And we\'re
continuing to develop the process. Innovation Software is a moving target as we
constantly learn more about how the mind works.\"

The program is simple to use:

Key in an entry in ThoughtOffice to describe the situation (problem, opportunity,
idea, process).

From this starting point, two options emerge:

* Launch the Topics Browser and explore the topic in sequential detail using
clarifying questions (there are 16 available topics and 13,700 total questions).
Click some related questions to add them to the Session, or

* Select a keyword from your initial description and launch the IdeaBrowser. Then
explore related images, quotes, definitions, synonyms, lyrics, word associations...
The IdeaBrowser tracks each of the words and phrases you\'ve clicked on during your
exploration. Build a short response in the Queuing area of the IdeaBrowser, and add
it to your Session in ThoughtOffice.

By working iteratively on your Brainstorming Session, moving back & forth between
Topics (vertical thinking) and Ideas (lateral thinking), an individual can explore
and develop dozens of fresh innovations every hour.

ThoughtOffice owes its origins to the work of Marsh Fisher, founder of IdeaFisher,
and interviews conducted with over 800 business and creative leaders worldwide. The
program is infinitely extensible, allowing the incorporation of new Topic Modules
and IdeaBrowser Search Tabs at any time.

ThoughtOffice programs start at $97, with plug-in Topic Modules beginning at $25.
The program comes complete with 9 IdeaTabs and the Evaluator Topic Module, as well
as the complete ThoughtOffice Brainstorming System.

The company can be reached at ThoughtOffice Corporation www.ThoughtOffice.com, info
(at) thoughtoffice.com or 360-609-9272.

About ThoughtOffice
ThoughtOffice Corporation is a Portland, Oregon based technology firm focused on
innovation and business process development. Since 1986, the company founders have
successfully founded and sold nearly a dozen companies, from advertising to laser
display technology, software to internet e-commerce. The development team
interviewed over 800 business and innovation leaders, and apprenticed with Marsh
Fisher, co-founder of Century 21 Real Estate and founder of IdeaFisher, one of the
first and most popular brainstorming software programs. The result, ThoughtOffice,
takes brainstorming and innovation out of the lab and makes it practical for daily
use by advertising creatives, authors, inventors, business process developers, CEOs
and life coaches. ThoughtOffice Corporation is headquartered at 815 East 20th
Street, Vancouver, Washington 98663. They can be reached at 360-609-9272 or
http://www.ThoughtOffice.com.
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Web Site: http://www.ThoughtOffice.com

Contact Details: Contact:
Mark Alan Effinger
ThoughtOffice
Portland, OR
360-609-9272
dlock@richcontent.tv
http://www.ThoughtOffice.com