One-stop online source supports agents’ full training & development needs
Boston, Mass. - February 16, 2010 - Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, a business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, has introduced comprehensive online Agent Learning Centers for agents appointed with its commercial lines regional companies. Designed to alleviate the time and financial constraints that agencies experience in developing new producers and staff, the Agent Learning Centers are best-in-class, one-stop training and development resources for agency partners to grow their businesses.
Appointed agents can now register for classroom workshops and participate in virtual or self-paced online programs. They can access an expanding catalog of professional development courses, many of which qualify for continuing education credits. In addition to general insurance topics, sales, product, and office productivity, consultative selling skills and agency management courses are also among the menu of resources. An Agency Manager Toolkit is available to assist agency owners or principals in hiring and developing successful new producers.
“We listened to what our agency partners’ wanted and created easily-accessible, region-specific training plans and classes,” said Michael Emery, manager, Learning Services, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets. “We’ve significantly broadened our learning options, expanded our AICPCU offerings, and given our agencies the greater flexibility and affordability they need.”
Agency convenience and full online capabilities were key focuses in developing the Agent Learning Centers for America First Insurance™, Colorado Casualty™, Golden Eagle Insurance™, Indiana Insurance™, Liberty Northwest®, Montgomery Insurance™, Ohio Casualty™, and Peerless Insurance™. Producers and staff log-on to each company’s proprietary agent portal to access the Agent Learning Center to:
• Register for classroom training sessions;
• Participate in instructor-led and self-paced online classes;
• Access industry links and information; and
• Pay for classes by credit card.
An important element of Agency Markets’ commitment to agents’ profitability and new producers’ success is its Commercial Lines New Producer Program. The 30-week development curriculum, highlighted in the Agent Learning Center, is a blended learning approach that combines online instruction, webinars, and in-agency mentoring with classroom training. The program is supported by AICPCU materials and graduates receive the Insurance Institute of America’s Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation.
“Consultative selling instruction, agency principal mentoring, and familiarity with our regional companies’ products, underwriting and personnel are important interactive components that help new producers be profitable sooner,” said Kenneth J. Swymer, program manager, National Learning Programs, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets. “Our approach integrates the real day-to-day work with classroom and virtual instruction to maximize new producer success in that critical first year.”
For more information about agent learning offerings, contact Mr. Ed Kula, director, Distribution and Product Training, Agency Markets Learning Services at 206-473-4042 or send an e-mail to edward.kula@libertymutual.com.
About Liberty Mutual Agency Markets
Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, a business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, offers personal and commercial insurance through independent agents throughout the United States. Commercial lines products are offered through eight regional companies and Liberty Agency Underwriters, which provides specialty commercial products, including excess casualty and program business. Personal lines products are offered nationally under the Safeco Insurance brand. Liberty Mutual Surety provides nationwide contract and commercial surety and fidelity bonds, and Summit provides workers compensation coverage in the Southeast.
Agency Markets operates under a unique regional/national model that leverages the service-oriented focus of regional operations with the cost efficiencies of a national infrastructure to deliver quality products and services to agents and brokers and the customers they serve.
Commercial Lines:
• America First Insurance™ (Central Region)
• Colorado Casualty™ (Mountain Region)
• Golden Eagle Insurance™ (California)
• Indiana Insurance™ (Midwest Region)
• Liberty Northwest® (Pacific Northwest Region)
• Montgomery Insurance™ (Southeast Region)
• Ohio Casualty™ (Mid-Atlantic Region)
• Peerless Insurance™ (Northeast Region)
Personal Lines:
• Safeco® Insurance (National)
Other Product Lines:
• Liberty Agency Underwriters™ (Specialty Commercial Products)
• Liberty Mutual Surety™
• Summit™ (mono-line Workers Compensation)
Liberty Mutual Group ranks 86 on the Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S. corporations based on 2008 revenues. The company has financial strength ratings of A (Excellent) from the A.M. Best Company, A2 (Good) from Moody’s Investors Service, and A- (Strong) from Standard & Poor’s.
Contact:
Christopher Goetcheus, 774-279-5923
or Christopher.Goetcheus@LibertyMutual.com
