In managing my business Mindjet MindManager is indispensable and Brainstorm is its kid brother. An example of how they work in together is as follows. My client database produces a raw Todo list of clients I need to contact; I turn on Magicpaste in Brainstorm and copy the list. The list then appears in Brainstorm as a tabbed list that I can copy and paste into MindManager and vice versa.

Brainstorm has an old fashioned, no frills appearance but it is incredible value for money. It is the quickest way I know to collect thougts and massage them hierarchically. Once one is ready to export them to a graphical interface like Freemind or Mindmanager it literally a 5 second process. The kid brother is worth his salt.