HOLLY SPRINGS, NC — Office and school furniture manufacturer OFM says it is cross-training employees under a new “OFM University” program. Developed from an idea dropped in the employee suggestion box, the program includes classes and lectures about how the business operates,. Classes are available to all OFM employees .

“We want everyone at OFM to think about the company as a whole," says OFM employee Wes Edwards. “When everyone is looking at the big picture, we’re all more creative, more thoughtful and more effective at our jobs.”

Edwards chairs the steering committee for the company’s Ownership Thinking initiative - a programm aimed at  building morale and encourage active participation in OFM’s financial success.

“When you understand why your coworker needs something from you, you’re going to do a better job getting it to them,” Edwards says.

OFM University Classes, which run 30 minutes once or twice a week for 12 weeks, include accounting, inventory, graphics and shipping. Other workshops have focused on how foreign currency affects business, principles of ownership thinking and retirement planning. 

OFM INc. manufactures and distributes over 300 office and school furniture products for use in businesses, government, schools and health care facilities.