Ask Stuart is a technical writing company, founded in 2006 by Stuart McGregor.

What we do -

• High quality user guides
• Instruction manuals both printed and on-line
• Handbooks
• Quick-start guides
• Training documentation
• After-sales support and service documentation
• Copy writing for websites
• Product information guides
• Press-releases
• White papers

We have originated a high volume of instruction manuals for this client's own-branded electrical products since 2007. These cover most fields within the consumer electrical category including audio-visual, personal care, novelty, home and office, diy and small domestic home and kitchen products.

The client needed clear, concise instructions to ensure that their customers are quickly able to operate a product safely and correctly. If the user guide is not clear this can make a new product appear faulty, and in the worst case, result in the product being returned to store for a refund.

To find out more about how we can help you with documentation or for a free, no obligation assessment of your technical writing requirements, please call or email.

This company manufactures automated, bed-side blood gas analysis diagnostic equipment for intensive care patients.

The client needed to clearly describe to intensive care nursing staff how to safely connect the analysis system to a patient, how to operate the sampling and measurement system and how to record the results from the tests. Accurate and clear step-by-step instructions were critical in acquiring accurate test results from this system.

We worked with the client to complete both a fully detailed, 200 page printed reference manual and instruction for use and a graphic bed-side quick-reference document to meet their requirements.

Leading hi-fi audio brand

An on-going project to write handbooks, product information guides and product training documentation for this client, one of the leading brands in high-end audio equipment. These products sound fantastic. The range consists of a very flexible and upgradeable range of audio components that can be combined into different systems. Each system brings with it a host of useful features.

Their objective is to ensure that whichever system of components the customer has chosen they will quickly be able to identify and understand the features available and set up their system for peak performance.

Asbestos training provider

Asbestos recognition, handling and disposal is essential knowledge for local authorities, building maintenance and renovation companies who may encounter asbestos in their routine business.

This client required presentation documents to describe the risks of asbestos and the training services they could provide to the management of new business clients.

To meet this requirement we designed a high quality presentation folder with a set of inserts that summarised each of the training courses provided by the client, the personnel that should attend that course and the benefits of the course training.

Invisible speaker manufacturer

This company manufactures the most amazing in-wall invisible speakers. The speakers sit just under the skin of the plaster coating on a wall and project sound through the plaster skin.

A critical stage in achieving the best performance and reliability from one of these speaker systems is to ensure that the speaker is installed correctly.

The client required clear instructions to ensure that installers followed the recommended preparation, installation and finishing procedures as any errors in the process could compromise the sound quality performance or reliability of the speakers.

Our work for this client is to produce their detailed on-line installation guides that clearly show how to install each model of speaker into walls of different types. The installation guide is navigable using multiple-choice hyperlinks so that a single document can carry all installation methods, but the installer reads only the information that is relevant to their installation.

Contact us if you require further case studies

Stuart McGregor

Ask Stuart

In 2006, after re-locating to the West Country, Stuart founded Ask Stuart to specialise in technical authoring and illustration services. Ask Stuart is today based in Cambridgeshire and provides these services to engineering clients including the industrial, retail, medical, and high-end audio industries.

Partners

Stuart works with a group of independent associates who have specialist experience in their fields. They are always on hand when necessary to support him with layout work, translation and illustration etc.

Example snip from a training guide

Major U.K. retailer

Medical electronics manufacturer

Example key from a translated instruction manual

Example step from a quick-start guide

Snip from the presentation document

Example snip from an installation guide

Through the use of clear writing, formatting and illustration, high quality instruction handbooks have reduced the level of frustration for the customer and product returns to their stores.

We've originated over 500 instruction manuals for this client and have provided DTP layout services for a similar number of translation projects into Central European languages in the same period.

The reference manual was an invaluable tool for staff training whilst the quick-reference document was available at the bed-side for daily reference.

To meet this requirement we have provided them with product handbooks that describe in detail the operation and configuration of each model, graphic system quick-start guides that describe the interconnection of the system components and product information and training guides to train their distribution network in the benefits of their systems.

The documents provided them with the tools they needed to present the benefits of their business to potential new clients.

The installation guides are supported by graphic quick-reference guides that are printed and packed with the speakers. These prompt the installers on-site at each stage of installation and their graphic presentation requires no translation.

Stuart has worked for over 35 years in engineering hardware design, mechanical design, embedded software design, manufacturing processes and engineering management including -

• Technical Director heading up the engineering division of the high-end UK audio manufacturer, Cambridge Audio.

• R&D manager for the electronics division of Wharfedale PLC.

• Chief Engineer at the Mission Group.

• Head of R&D at Cyrus Audio, leading the design team in development of their prestigious range of audio equipment.

His work in engineering teams was driven by technical documentation. The quality, timing and success of the projects he was involved in depended heavily on the clarity of communication and quality of documentation.

While in this role, Stuart acquired additional responsibilities for technical training, technical authoring, quality and compliance engineering across the brand portfolio that the group had established.

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