NU Online News Service, Feb.17, 2:35 p.m.EST

Liberty Mutual Agency Markets said it developed new onlineprofessional development courses for agents.

The unit of Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group said agents canregister for classroom workshops and participate in virtual orself-paced online programs.

Liberty said its online Agent Learning Centers are for agentsappointed with its commercial lines regional companies and aredesigned to help agency partners to grow their businesses.

In addition to general insurance topics, sales, product andoffice productivity, consultative selling skills and agencymanagement courses are also among the items being offered.

Liberty said an Agency Manager Toolkit is available to assistagency owners or principals in hiring and developing successful newproducers.

Michael Emery, manager, Learning Services, Liberty Mutual AgencyMarkets, said, "We've significantly broadened our learning options,expanded our AICPCU [American Institute for Chartered PropertyCasualty Underwriter] offerings, and given our agencies the greaterflexibility and affordability they need."

The Agent Learning Centers were developed for America FirstInsurance, Colorado Casualty, Golden Eagle Insurance, IndianaInsurance, Liberty Northwest, Montgomery Insurance, Ohio Casualtyand Peerless Insurance. Producers and staff log-on to eachcompany's proprietary agent portal to access the Agent LearningCenter.

Once logged on users can:

o Register for classroom training sessions.

o Participate in instructor-led and self-paced onlineclasses.

o Access industry links and information.

o Pay for classes by credit card.

The site contains the thirty-week Commercial Lines New ProducerProgram described as a blended learning approach that combinesonline instruction, webinars and in-agency mentoring with classroomtraining. The program is supported by AICPCU materials andgraduates receive the Insurance Institute of America's AccreditedAdvisor in Insurance (AAI) designation.

"Consultative selling instruction, agency principal mentoring,and familiarity with our regional companies' products, underwritingand personnel are important interactive components that help newproducers be profitable sooner," said Kenneth J. Swymer, programmanager, National Learning Programs, Liberty Mutual AgencyMarkets.

He said the firm's approach integrates "the real day-to-day workwith classroom and virtual instruction to maximize new producersuccess in that critical first year."

More information about agent learning offerings is available bycontacting Ed Kula, director, Distribution and Product Training,Agency Markets Learning Services at 206-473-4042 or by e-mailing[email protected].