Services
Strategic plans and reports
There’s much chatter about whether mission statements and strategies are still valid in a D-VUCAD world. I say yes.
D-VUCAD means Disruption – Volatility-Uncertainty-Complexity-Ambiguity-Diversity. The disruption of Covid has seen different VUCA qualities emerge: Values-Us-Care-Adaptability. It also saw the accelerated rise of populism, with polar opposite values. If we don’t plan, we will get the future we deserve.
I co-wrote and edited Auckland’s first 30-year integrated transport strategy for the largest municipal city in Australasia. I also created New Zealand’s strategy for the Serious Fraud Office, which combats organised crime.
Fee: Price on application.
What people say
"The result is first class and we have received numerous compliments about the quality, style and tone. Quite simply we couldn’t have done it without you.”
- Wally Thomas, GM Stakeholder Relations Auckland Transport.
Editing
I have 25 years’ experience and multiple awards for editing a wide range of academic and business non-fiction books, strategies, reports and plans.
My first question is always: who is your audience? This is the number one rule of communication. Then, AI’s computational speed for mundane tasks combined with my deep dive for subtle nuances of language and structure ensures your project communicates effectively and accurately; that it’s professional.
Editing experience includes editing books for academics and other smart thinkers for whom English is a second language.
What people say
“You are doing an awesome job. I'm not just saying that. You are really putting your heart and soul into this and it has your 'spirit' in it as well.”
- Dr Kerry Spackman
“I just want to let you know that the business plan was very well received by the Board on Friday. Three said that it was the best ever!!”
- Paula Day, CEO Foundation of the Blind
Thought pieces for business and civic leaders
The biggest challenge of writing for executives is getting time with them and getting inside their heads.
Working across a range of industries and subjects has equipped me to learn your company and strategy in a nanosecond. I can quickly develop rapport and establish trust; get the information I need; and leave your executive feeling confident that what she’s going to say will resonate with her audience and be bulletproof on facts.
My best pieces draw on both a vision for the future and relevant historical fact, to paint a deep and broad understanding of the subject at hand. They contain facts and figures that demonstrate your executive’s authority and mana.
Fee: $140 per hour. Average time allowed is 6 hours.
What people say
“Our fabulous freelance writer, Jade Reidy, has crafted you a most marvelous letter of nomination... Have a look at the attached and I know you will agree that it’s brilliant and moving, with just the right dose of forceful. Totally sounds like you.”
- Christine Brabender, Marketing Manager, Auckland University.
Company, place, organisation and family histories
Breathe out and relax. From day one of the project I’ve got it covered – research and writing, interviews, scanning photos to digital images, project management, photography, edit and proof, design and print, e-books and even bespoke handbound books.
It’s all about teamwork. I work with the best book designer in the country, ace proofreaders to ensure no mistakes, handbinding experts and experienced printers so your books make the deadline.
A great way to gather quality information is to create a small expert group made up of previous leaders in your organisation, most likely retired. We meet once a month to discuss stories, check facts and have a glass of wine afterwards. My experience is that these individuals relish the opportunity to stay involved and feel valuable.
Timing: You need to allow at least nine months for a book project.
NB. If you are a not-for-profit you can apply for funding, and my experience is funding agencies look favourably on histories.
What people say
“I think Jade has written a great piece - very well researched and well written - she has really got the essence of the history of the west and set a very high bar. ”
- Sir Bob Harvey QSM, (ex) Mayor, Waitakere City.
“Despite having three speeches to write that night, I picked up this book and couldn’t put it down until 1am.”
- Phil Goff, Mayor, Auckland Council.
Books for executives and experts
You’ve had a long, successful career and risen to the top of your industry. Along the way you’ve given speeches, published thought pieces and now have a lot of wisdom and stories to share.
The likelihood is you’re too close to your subject matter to bring it all together into a book. It’s a time-consuming endeavour and one that’s best shared.
I can work with you to structure your book, give it a consistent voice and research/fact check so there are no mistakes. We then commission a designer and send it to print, or possibly to a publisher. I can also manage the digital platform task.
Price on application.
What people say
“I have received tremendous feedback from everyone about the book and there has been nothing but praise.”
- Dr John Hinchcliff CNZM, emeritus vice chancellor AUT.
Bespoke books of art
These handbound books offer a lasting coffee table quality gift, potentially for a departing business leader or as a family heirloom. I work with binding studios who create the handcrafted dimensions and the book may also include elements such as Italian handmade endpapers (see Passion for Papers) and high-quality, fold out cadastral maps.
My clients treasure these books as their quality ensures they are an investment for generations to come. I love these commissions too as they give full scope for my creative talents.
Price on application.
Terms of engagement
For projects valued at less than $5,000 + gst, you will be invoiced at the end of the project with 7 days to pay. Exceptions are if the project takes places in two or more stages over a period longer than four weeks. These will be invoiced relative to each stage.
Projects valued over $5,000 + gst will be invoiced as each milestone is reached, or by other mutual agreement.
What else people say