OfficeMax.com and Arthur Andersen to Offer Online Education Resources

OfficeMax and Arthur Andersen Virtual Learning Network (VLN) have announced that OfficeMax.com will offer online learning and educational resources from VLN. 

The new service is expected to launch in fourth quarter 2000. Visitors will be able to access the new co-branded Web site through @MaxSolutions, OfficeMax.com's small business resource center, at http://www.officemax.com/ . Arthur Andersen will host and maintain the site. Initially, the service will offer more than 100 Web-based courses and two customized, interactive CD-ROM courses.

OfficeMax said the new service is part of its mission to become the productivity ally for small businesses. 

"Our core customer is the small business with less than 100 employees,'' said Ryan Vero, OfficeMax's head of eCommerce. "VLN will provide our customers convenient and cost-effective access to online training. It's part of our ongoing commitment to provide best-in-breed Web-based services.''

"This service will save small and mid-sized businesses time and money by providing a one-stop shop for quality online instruction and resources,'' Vero said. "Anyone can find courses and educational materials on the Internet, but it's difficult to know for sure if they will meet your company's needs. With our service, businesses can buy with confidence. VLN has an exhaustive review process and only selects courses and materials that have proven to effectively achieve the stated educational objectives.''

Training programs help companies motivate employees and increase productivity, according to Steve Roden, director of VLN. A recent survey by Arthur Andersen and National Small Business United found that 53 percent of small and mid-sized companies provide opportunities for self-development, such as training programs, to help recruit and retain employees.

OfficeMax.com recently conducted an online customer survey to find out what services they desire most. The top-rated request was access to online training programs. 

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