Charles “Chaz” Timmons, CPIA & Personal Lines Insurance & Marketing Manager @ PDM Insurance Agency, Inc.  recently completed the Merchants Insurance Company’s Producer Training School in Buffalo, New York.  Merchants Producer Training School (PTS) is an intensive five-day program designed for insurance professionals with a minimum of six months in the industry to hone their selling skills and grow in the insurance field. Organized and hosted by Bob Perno, Corporate Sales Manager at Merchants Insurance Group, PTS provides an invaluable professional development experience for all attendees, whether they are new producers looking to develop their sales skills or seasoned salespeople hoping to enhance their existing sales strategies. Regardless of their experience level before the program, this sales-intensive training opportunity brings together a determined group of professionals eager to learn and grow in the industry!  Students learned about The Dynamics of Selling which is a program highlight, spanning several days on the week’s agenda. Led by industry leaders Griff Griffith and Joe Coccimiglio, this educational session teaches an insurance-specific sales process, Creating an Influential Presence was a new session to PTS this year! Jessica Schimert discussed emotional intelligence and its role in effective sales strategy. She spoke of the importance of strategic communication and how to successfully connect with your customers. Attendees also learned on how to build their "Brand" by marketing themselves through social media marketing. To wrap up the week of schooling all were versed on Merchants Commercial Lines products. Frank Simpson, Territory Manager for Merchants’ Western Strategic Business Center, and Erica Dalton, Marketing Supervisor, provided an overview of Merchants’ commercial lines products and insight into coverage differentiators to help producers better understand and insure more effectively.

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Jessica McMullen, Partner and Agriculture & Business Insurance Agent @ PDM Insurance Agency, Inc. was recognized recently by the Insurance Agents & Brokers of PA, MD & DE as a 2024 Mover & Shaker.  IA&B recognizes this additional group of young professionals who are moving the independent insurance agency network forward.