One of the great things about the web is the amount of free information that is out there for the taking. Recently I was developing a training program for a healthcare client and I was looking for a quick summary on my topic – something to jump start my thinking.

I found it at 12manage.com. (First, my disclaimer – I have no financial interest in this site.) What I found there is a series of really good summaries on popular management topics such as Daniel Goleman’s Leadership Styles, Peter Senge’s Five Disciplines, John Kotter’s Leading Change, Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats, and Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits. I also found great summaries on other popular topics such as Deming’s PDSA Cycle, Belbin Team Roles, and Tony Buzan’s Mind Mapping. They also have plenty of information that is not tied directly to a popular author or leadership guru including such generic topics as systems thinking, force field analysis, problem solving, interpersonal communication skills and balanced scorecard, to name just a few. In fact, the site explains several hundred management methods and over 1500 management terms.

Of course there is always a catch. The “free” stuff can be read but not copied. If you want to get more information on the topic and the permission to reprint it, you have to sign up for their membership and pay an annual fee. But for people like me who don’t want to cut and paste other people’s stuff, but instead just want a catalyst to get their brains energized and their own creative juices flowing, this site does the trick.

Whether you are a trainer, manager, team leader or just a person who likes to learn new things, this site has something for you. Check it out.

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