Great list of books! I love how you’ve mixed both traditional and more unconventional picks.

[DONE with changed thumbnail] Essential Reads for Government Contracting Success: From Strategy to Creativity

January 01, 2025•2 min read

What a fantastic list of books! I love how you've balanced traditional guides with some more unconventional picks, creating a resource list that appeals to both newcomers and seasoned professionals in government contracting.

"An Insider's Guide to Winning Government Contracts" by Joshua Frank is an excellent recommendation for those just getting started in the govcon space. Its practical, no-nonsense approach provides clear steps to navigating the complexities of government procurement, making it a must-read for beginners.

On the other hand, "The History of Government Contracting" by James F. Nagle is a fascinating deep dive for anyone curious about how this field has evolved over time. Understanding the historical context and complexities of government contracting can provide valuable insights into its current structure and processes.

One intriguing choice is Rick Rubin's "The Creative Act: A Way of Being"—a book that might not seem like an obvious fit for government contracting but is surprisingly relevant. Creativity is often the differentiator when crafting proposals or exploring new approaches to sourcing opportunities. Rubin’s insights on thinking differently could inspire innovative strategies in a traditionally structured industry.

Your own Government Contract Planner is a standout addition. A journal that combines structure with flexibility for capturing leads, tracking deadlines, and staying proactive is such a smart tool for businesses managing the contracting process. Organization is key in such a competitive field, and having a resource tailored to the unique demands of government contracting is invaluable.

For me, "The GovCon Blueprint" by Paul G. Turner has been a go-to resource. Its step-by-step breakdown of the procurement process, combined with real-world examples, makes it incredibly actionable and relatable for businesses of any size.

What about you? Are there specific sections of your journal that businesses find particularly helpful when navigating the challenges of breaking into government contracting? Let’s keep the conversation going—your insights could help so many newcomers in the field!

Richard C. Howard, Lt Col (Ret)

Richard C. Howard is the founder of dodcontract.com, and government contracting advisor to companies of all sizes. He is the host of the "DoD Contract Academy" podcast, the leading defense procurement podcast and author of the Government Contracting Planner. Richard helps business owners and sales teams win lucrative government contracts. As a former military acquisitions officer, Richard oversaw $82B+ in DoD contracts and ran the award winning Kill Chain Integration Branch, which rapidly developed cutting edge technologies with Boston & Silicon Valley based companies, deploying completed systems to the warfighter in record time. Richard's clients have won over $300M in government prime & sub-contracts. He is the host of "DoD Contract Academy" which is ranked in the top 2% of all podcasts. Howard is the author of the "Government Contract Planner' and speaks extensively on the nuance of federal contracting strategy.

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