Business sprang from simple idea in 1980
WD Communications Inc. presents seminars on many business skills
BY PATRICIA YOCZIS
Correspondent

Four women who taught English and communications skills at Brookdale Community College and Bell Labs recognized a need and created a business opportunity.

"We saw students who worked during the day and studied English at night to improve their business writing skills," said Barbara McGovern, a partner of WD Communications Inc. "If these student-employees needed writing skills, perhaps we could teach them at their businesses."

In 1980, McGovern, Bobbi Knezek, Tommie Almond and Kathy Gallagher got together to brainstorm. They worked on how to accomplish their goal of creating a company that teaches English and writing skills through seminars held on-site at company offices. Today, McGovern and Knezek are the remaining partners.

"A baby sitter was hired for our children and we pooled our resources together," said McGovern. "On St. Patrick's Day 1981, we held our first seminar at Prudential, Holmdel, and continue to the present to assist businesses."

Now, WD Communications has more than 50 clients, including Fortune 500 companies. The company has presented seminars throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Europe, Asia and South America.

"Originally we called our company Writing Dynamics," said McGovern. "But as technology and the needs of our clients changed, we changed our name to WD Communications."

The seminars WD Communications offers include business and technical writing, presentation skills, sales training, performance management, interpersonal skills and executive coaching.

While the main focus of the company is still writing, there is an increased emphasis on writing business e-mails, she said.

"It's so easy to misunderstand the tone of an e-mail," said McGovern. "Often e-mails are read quickly and not carefully. There is a legal implication to business e-mails, especially when read by an extended audience. When you add a cultural dimension to e-mails, it can translate into a dollar and cents issue for businesses."

McGovern said WD Communications specializes in assisting clients where English is a second language. The seminars address the nuances of several languages, including Chinese, Spanish and Russian.

"I believe in the theory that every time, we communicate there is an impact on a relationship," she said. "The relationship can improve, be damaged or remain the same. This is the same for business or for life. Our company aims to improve the business relationship by building on the communications skills a business already has. Our seminars give clients immediate assistance to expand their own skills with confidence and creativity."

The current employees of WD Communications consist of a three-member office staff, eight full-time consultants and three part-time consultants. Each consultant has a minimum of a master's degree in English or communications or a related business field.

"We train our consultants by using a two-member team approach where they learn by observing and listening at presentations," said McGovern. "They bring their talents to the presentation and expand them as well. Our presentations are a dynamic and interactive experience."

Most of the company's business growth, she said, now comes from the referral of clients pleased with WD Communications' seminars and conferences. The "cold calls" to companies that the partners made in the early 1980s are no longer used.

"I am very happy with the success of WD Communications," McGovern said. "We have a full calendar of presentations and seminars. I am very pleased with our enterprise."

McGovern received a master's degree in English from Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y., where she finished course work for a doctorate in English. She previously taught English at Manhattan College in New York City. McGovern and her husband, Terry, live in Holmdel. They have three adult children, Terry, Brendan and Eva.

According to McGovern, her partner, Bobbi Knezek, is a specialist in coaching members of the business community to perfect their speaking skills. Knezek frequently represents WD Communications at conferences addressing customizing performance management for the healthcare, insurance, financial and utility industries.

Knezek, a former teacher and a journalist for the Asbury Park Press, received a master's degree in journalism from Rutgers University. She and her husband, George, reside in Wayside. They have two adult children, Meredith and Jeremy.

WD Communications is based in Red Bank and also has an office in Newark, Del. For more information go to www.wdcommunications.com or call (732) 530-2076.