Books & Articles

“. . . We have included your books for distribution to our teams around the world . . .”

Don Braid

Group Managing Director

Mainfreight Limited

New Zealand

“Ms. Kelly, I think your book ‘Think & Win Bids’ is a ‘must read’ for anyone who is responding to what we (Americans) refer to as ‘Partnering’, ‘Integrated Project Delivery’ or ‘Requests for Proposal’ (RFP) type contracting.

“In particular, I think this book is essential for anyone bidding on AUSAID, USAID, UN Projects Office (UNOPS) World Bank, Asian Development Bank, NGOs or any other project funded by bi-lateral or multi-lateral donor agencies which are selecting their contractors, vendors and consultants not based on price but on value for money.”

Dr. Paul D. Giammalvo

(CDT, CCE, MscPM, MRICS)

Sr. Technical Advisor

PT Mitratata Citragraha

Jakarta

“Written in jargon-free terms, ‘Think & Win Bids’ sets out a surprisingly simple premise for successfully bidding for major infrastructure projects; winning (consistently) depends on the bidder’s willingness and savvy when it comes to the simple act of listening, and the not-so-simple act of knowing how to ask ‘quality questions’.

“Jordan Kelly pulls no punches in her perspective of superficial ‘win themes’ and the need for something more insightful and substantial in delivering tailored, attentive proposals. I finished the book with a clearer understanding of how to assist clients in formulating and effecting bid strategy (both before and after the official procurement phases) without the need for gimmicks, but focused on the basic skill of listening. This may well become required reading for all bid managers and others involved in bidding projects.”

David Holden

Partner

Russell McVeagh Lawyers

Auckland

“I enjoyed reading your book as I can identify closely with a great deal of your tuition and the topics you cover.

“Most of all, I value that you have outlined clear and correct processes for conducting relevant research, asking the right questions, and usefully using what has been gained from these processes.

“For those who regularly produce bids as a matter of course, the book is a good reminder to conscientiously make an effort to observe in a quality manner, and to first hear and think through the client’s needs before rushing into the production of a bid.

“For those who are new to bids, the book quite rightly states that they should not expect a specific list of agenda items for bid strategy sessions, as templating is the opposite of thinking.

“Some of my most valued take-aways from reading the book are that strategy formulation is a fluid process, and that we must at all times guard against complacency in the form of

assumptions based on past experiences or pre-conceived ideas.”

Dr TING, Seng Kiong

Council Member, Singapore

International Society of Project Managers

"Jordan Kelly's 'Think and Win Bids' is a book with a strong message and a wealth of commanding insights into the fundamentals of winning bids. ... "

Glenn Baker

Editor

New Zealand Business

“Jolly good, Jordan. A truly great book. Really easy to read, really handy and not condescending, either. The observations you make, the suggestions and tips that run through it, the numerous little on-the-money checklists, are fantastic, as are the real-time examples you use.

“I’ve been overseeing bids for years and years and years, but I got so much out of this.

“It’s a great resource both in terms of a valuable reference guide and also as a great read in its own right. I’m impressed at how it so clearly demonstrates how to put strategy together, how to logically progress that into the writing stage, and then how to deal with grammatical issues as well. I don’t know how you did that all in a ‘grammar guide’, but you’ve done it.

“You guide the whole bid process through logically, and still deliver on your core promise – which is to show us how to uphold credibility in our bids through proper use of the English

language.

“One more thing. You’ve demonstrated that you don’t need to be a professional copywriter to put a really solid bid together, and I think that will give confidence to a lot of people.”

Ron MacDonald

General Manager – Northern Region

Ebert Construction

Auckland, New Zealand

“In the age of social media and the informality of electronic communication, it’s refreshing to be reminded of the importance and relevance of the English language.

“What you’ve produced is a very readable and very constructive guide not only to the bid-writing process but to any professional proposal or report. It creates an awareness of the pitfalls that we all so easily find ourselves in, and provides insight into numerous areas for improvement. It’s a top-quality reference guide that should be revisited often to ensure that bad habits do not re-surface.

“Jordan, these really are great books (with reference also to ‘Bid-Writing Lessons from the World’s Greatest Authors’). I have learned heaps from them. The test now will be to put the learnings into action.”

Henry van Dyk

Partner

Polson Higgs Business Advisors

Dunedin, New Zealand

“Thanks for the supply of such excellent information. Your trademark writing style gives instant credibility to the book’s content.

“Great information presented this way is both enjoyable and appreciated, and will enhance careers.

“The most effective people at preparing tenders generally come from a trade background. Often communication skills are not understood or promoted in those disciplines, so a 'style and grammar guide' that is pleasant to read and easily understood allows the reader to perform at a winning level.

“I see this book having ongoing benefit to the reader, as success leads to improved confidence, and confidence based on ability opens doors and bank accounts!

“Again, sincere thanks for your help, and for filling such an educational void in the building industry.”

Geoff Humby

General Manager

Premier Waterproofing

Sydney, Australia

“Jordan Kelly has produced an easy-to-use and informative resource in ‘The Bid Writer’s Style & Grammar Guide’. I can recommend this book not only to read but also to keep close at hand as a reference when writing presentation letters, executive summaries and other descriptive documents for inclusion in bids.

“It also provides marketing-oriented guidance for the bid writer who may be otherwise coming from a more technical background, helping them produce a compelling bid, focusing on the reader’s concerns rather than on the more usual practice of simply listing the benefits of the product proposed.

“The Guide also offers useful grammar tips to help the writer avoid many of the errors that have become commonplace in modern writing, that detract from the overall quality of the presentation and the impression received by the reader. It is arranged in distinctive sections with a comprehensive index for efficient reference.”

John Ball

Head of Proposals

Siemens Ltd Australia

Energy Sector, Wind Division

“Despite the name, this book deals equally with the strategy considerations of the bid-writing process. That is what really made the book interesting for me – especially the Parts entitled, ‘Writing for Results’ and ‘Style, Substance & Effectiveness’. These chapters are fundamental to how sales organisations should look at bid writing.

“I also particularly liked ‘Avoiding Fashion-Speak’. That Part, too, is about more than just style; it’s about how you connect with the customer.

“Part 7, on ‘Non-Sexist Language’, is something all sales organisations should read. While we’ve hopefully moved past this issue at the level of mindset, I think, in many instances, we can use guidance to make sure our style matches our minds. This Part of the book sheds light on how to ensure we’re not conveying the wrong message – especially to first-time customers.”

Harald Jensen

Executive Vice President, Business Development

Veolia Water North America

Chicago