Press Releases

Our strategy revolution is making headlines!

May 2008

Performance Management Made Easy

M3 Planning, Inc, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning tools and performance management software, announced today that they have added an employee performance review report to the impressive list of deliverables automatically generated by the company’s award-winning strategic planning system, MyStrategicPlan. “A company’s performance management system is not just about annual reviews and bonuses. It is also essential to implementing corporate strategy “says Erica Olsen, co-founder of M3 Planning and author of Strategic Planning for Dummies. >>read more

April 2008

Economic Downturn Creating a Greater Need to Strategically Manage Human Resources

Business strategy advisor Erica Olsen says that the current economic slowdown has increased the demand for a performance management system that delivers results with fewer human resources, and she says those challenges can best be met by applying the Balanced Scorecard approach. The veteran strategic planning facilitator and author says, "The answer lies in using the Balanced Scorecard principles and diligently applying them as part of business strategy." To meet the growing demand for this integration of performance management and strategy, Olsen developed MyStrategicPlan, an online strategic planning system and business tool that recently won the 2008 Best Application Service Provider Interactive Application award in the Web Marketing Association's annual Internet Advertising Competition. This web-base software is based on the Balanced Scorecard framework and ties many business operations and processes together without a huge enterprise system or cost which is critical given the current economic situation. >>read more

March 2008

Strategic Planning Software Captures Top Honors for Second Consecutive Year

MyStrategicPlan, an online strategic planning and performance management tool developed by M3 Planning, has been honored again by the Web Marketing Association's annual Internet Advertising Competition with this year's award for Best Application Service Provider Interactive Application. M3 Planning is a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning and business performance management services, and MyStrategicPlan is the company's proprietary strategic planning software. The web-based application has more than 3,000 users and helps them develop a strategic plan, track goals, and create professional reports. MyStrategicPlan also won the top honors in 2007 and was a previous Standard of Excellence award winner. >>read more

January 2008

Strategic Planning Process Can Be Mastered In 30 Days

M3 Planning, Inc, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services, is offering a series of interactive online classes designed to facilitate the strategic planning, performance management, and implementation processes. Led by professional strategic planners and presented in a setting that encourages active participation by attendees, this comprehensive program guides participants through each step of the planning process and results in a plan that is practical, effective and ready for strategic implementation. >>read more

December 2007

Goal Setting Software Launches Updated Version

M3 Planning, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services announced the launch today of the latest version of its award-winning online strategic planning and goal setting software. This news culminates the company’s year-long system enhancement initiative. >>read more

October 2007

Leading Business Consulting Firm Offers Strategic Planning Development and Facilitation Course

M3 Planning, Inc, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services, is now offering a strategic planning development and facilitation course designed expressly for business consultants. The comprehensive program has been developed specifically to streamline the strategic planning process, strengthen strategic planning facilitation skills, and make strategic planning consulting work faster and easier. >>read more

September 2007

Business Strategy Coach – Scenario Planning Can Mitigate Effect of Economic Change

Business strategy coach Erica Olsen warns that the current subprime credit market crisis and associated housing market slump could have far reaching effects on seemingly unrelated businesses. Olsen specializes in strategic planning facilitation and coaching small and medium-size businesses in scenario and continuity planning. >>read more

June 2007

M3 PLANNING Anncounces System Enhancements to Award-Winning Business Tool

M3 Planning, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services announced the launch today of the latest version of its award-winning online strategic planning software system, which now includes an execution module. >>read more

May 2007

Complimentary Business Assessment Tool Useful In Increasing Profits and Allocating Resources

M3 Planning, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services, is now offering a business tool called the Business Report Card to assist business owners and consultants in their strategic decision making. The Business Report Card can be used to help make resource and planning decisions as well as serve as an essential starting point for creating a strategic plan. >>read more

March 2007

M3 Planning's Innovative Business Tool Wins Big at 2007 Internet Advertising Competition

MyStrategicPlan, a web-based strategic planning and performance tool developed by M3 Planning, has been honored again by the Web Marketing Association's annual Internet Advertising Competition with this year's award for Best Application Service Provider Interactive Application. M3 Planning is a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services, and MyStrategicPlan is the company's proprietary strategic planning software. The web-based application helps users develop a strategic plan, track goals, and create professional reports. Previously, the MyStrategicPlan website had won a Standard of Excellence award. >>read more

March 2007

M3 Planning Principal Named Entrepreneur of the Year

Erica Olsen, an owner and strategic planning facilitator of M3 Planning in Reno has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by The Business Report of Northern Nevada (February 2007). In a selection based on vision, innovation, community involvement, employee initiatives, and overcoming adversity, Erica’s character and commitment to success so impressed the judges that they commented, “She built a successful company out of a very non-tangible product, and her ability to do so clearly reflects her talent and her intelligence.” >>read more

February 2007

Strategic Consulting Firm Offers Complimentary Weekly Introductory Webinar

M3 Planning, Inc, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services, announced this week they are offering a complimentary weekly webinar that is an introduction to strategic planning and create a strategic plan. As part of the company's efforts to break down the barriers and demystify the strategic planning process, this weekly webinar will guide attendees through an integrated strategic planning process and its many related subjects including competitive advantage, business vision development, market assessment, and trend analysis as well as include examples of strategic planning tools. >>read more

January 2007

Local author to host book signing January 20th to benefit Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada

On Saturday, January 20th from 2 to 4 p.m., Reno author, Erica Olsen, will be at Barnes & Noble Booksellers signing copies of her new book Strategic Planning for Dummies. All proceeds from Barnes & Noble sales in January will benefit the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada's entrepreneurship conference for young women, An Income of Her Own™. >>read more

December 2006

Recently released study demonstrates strategic planning helps businesses increase profitability

According to a new study by M3 Planning, a nationwide leader in on-demand strategic planning services, businesses that use strategic planning are 12 percent more profitable.

The results from the 2006 M3 Planning Strategy Benchmark of 280 firms in the United States found that by just adding strategic planning to a business' activities, organizations can experience an increase in net profit.>>read more

November 2006

Reno Entrepreneur Celebrates the November 20 Release of New Book Strategic Planning for Dummies

A new book, part of the national best-selling For Dummies brand series simplifies strategic planning for small businesses.

Erica Olsen, 32, an owner and strategic planning facilitator of M3 Planning in Reno, and author of the newly released, Strategic Planning for Dummies, reveals how writing a strategic plan can actually be quick and simple- contrary to previous assumptions within the business world. Olsen’s book is a valuable asset for existing businesses who have reached the three, four or five year mark and are looking for extra growth and profit.....>>read more

October 2006

Recognize Local Entrepreneurs during National Women in Business Week

National Women in Business Week falls just days prior to the release of a new book, which is part of a national best selling series, authored by a prominent local business women....>>read more

August 2006

New Blog Focused On Business Strategy

Erica Olsen, founder of MyStrategicPlan, announced today the introduction of her strategy blog, Strategically Speaking, which can be found at www.mystrategicplan/blog Focused on business strategy, strategic planning, case studies, and strategic planning tools, Erica hopes the new blog will create a lively conversation about how organizations of all sizes can be more effective, profitable, and successful...>>read more

April 2006

M3 Planning President Speaks on the Importance of Developing Metric Driven Strategies

Brand awareness is up? That's great, but what does it mean? You have to be able to answer that question. M3's business model stems from the shift in marketing from an almost purely creative process to an increasingly metric-driven approach. Howard Olsen, President of M3 Planning, has embraced this shift and now seeks to help businesses utilize a metric-driven strategy....>>read more

September 2005

Three Company Team Wins National WebAwards

MyStrategicPlan.com won top honors in this year's national 2005 WebAward competition, a national contest recognizing outstanding achievement in Web site development. Three local companies pooled their talent to create the dynamic site, which helps users create a strategic plan for their business through a self-facilitated process. The site won a Standard of Excellence award.....>>read more