LR&A, Inc.

LR&A, Inc. Helping others improve image and bottom-line results through improved communication skills, upgraded presentations, and crisis management training.

It's not enough to be good at what you do. You have to be able to tell people about it. Laurie Richards helps people and organizations communicate better to their customers -- and she helps people within an organization communicate more effectively with one another. Using psychologically sound principles, entertaining methods, and a lot of energy, Richards trains and entertains audiences and sends

them off with practical tips that make a difference in their personal and professional lives. Are you concerned audiences are checking their messages instead of listening to your presentation? Richards can help you get their attention -- and keep it -- so your message gets delivered effectively. Is your business vulnerable to security breaches, accidents, or any other crisis? Don't wait until things reach the crisis level. But if you do, Richards can help you navigate the storm. Is your fundraising reaching its goals? Richards can help upgrade your fundraising pitch and increase donations. Enthusiastic…Savvy…Effective…Practical…Entertaining…

Laurie Richards is an accomplished international speaker who works with thousands of executives and association leaders. Known for her practical, interactive, and entertaining approach, Richards works with leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, sales people, and other professionals on improving communication at every level. She also lends her voice to video and audio programs in voice-over work. Richards’ experience as an international speaker and speaker coach comes into play as she helps clients strategically plan outcome-based presentations, put power into a PowerPoint (no more bored audiences), prepare for media interviews, manage crisis (before, during, and after), grow morale, build stronger teams, and improve everyday communications to directly affect the bottom line -- including new business pitches, state-of-the-organization addresses, sales presentations, and meetings. Many of Richards’ programs include personality profiling using proven Myers-Briggs, DISC, Social Styles, and other valid instruments to help clients work better as teams, improve efficiencies, select best candidates, and coach employees. Richards began her career as a legislative correspondent for Public Broadcasting. She managed leader communications for the National Pork Producers Council—the nation's largest commodity organization and originator of the successful, “Pork. The Other White Meat” campaign. Richards has hosted radio and television shows, managed one of the nation’s fastest growing public relations agencies, launched award-winning public affairs programs, and managed highly effective grassroots lobbying efforts, and facilitated professional development programs for Fortune 500 companies and associations. Richards is described as "enthusiastic, professional, effective, practical, savvy, inspiring, and enlightening." Clients note her strengths as “an innate charismatic style coupled with the ability to really connect with her audience and bring practical real-life experiences we can use immediately.” Her business clients span throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia giving her first-hand experience and cross-cultural awareness. To remain relevant, Richards’ learning material includes current information reflecting today’s high-speed lifestyles, cultural changes, technological advancements, and shifting priorities. Richards has degrees in communication and business management and has earned masters’ degrees in business management and psychology. She has a variety of certifications in micro-expressions and psychological profiling. Richards is currently working toward her PhD in industrial and organizational psychology.

Tune into KQKD (1380 am & 99.9 FM) this morning (Thursday) as I interview two of South Dakota’s gubernatorial candidates...
11/20/2025

Tune into KQKD (1380 am & 99.9 FM) this morning (Thursday) as I interview two of South Dakota’s gubernatorial candidates:
10:05 a.m. Congressman Dusty Johnson, and
10:35 Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden.

It will be a job interview for the job of SD’s next leader!

Why I Don’t Post Pictures with Big-Name Clients 👀Spent this week at a big convention working with rooms full of leaders ...
11/13/2025

Why I Don’t Post Pictures with Big-Name Clients 👀

Spent this week at a big convention working with rooms full of leaders on communication, conflict management, and sales skills.

Several folks (and clients!) asked, “Laurie, why don’t you ever post pictures with your big-name clients?”

Easy answer: You don’t walk into a car dealership to buy a car and brag, “I just finished a negotiating class!” 😄

Yes—I’m busy helping professionals sharpen their communication, leadership, and sales skills. I just prefer to let their success do the talking. 😉

Want to learn more? Click the link in the comments

Ready to win your new business interviews on VALUE instead of bids. Here's a piece on the shift you need to make:  https...
03/28/2025

Ready to win your new business interviews on VALUE instead of bids. Here's a piece on the shift you need to make: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2422978/

We've all seen it—Companies follow that predictable format where the top executive “hosts” the interview. Unfortunately, that doesn't establish the team as the problem-solving team your prospective customer wants and needs.

03/05/2025
03/05/2025

Enjoy Miss Laurie reading the Dr. Seuss classic, The Cat in the Hat

The Iditarod is on! Dubbed “The Last Great Race,” mushers and their teams travel 1000 miles through the Alaskan wilderne...
03/04/2025

The Iditarod is on!

Dubbed “The Last Great Race,” mushers and their teams travel 1000 miles through the Alaskan wilderness stopping at checkpoints along the way for rest, warm meals, supplies, and motivation from each other.

I joined my brother’s family for three days of the race and was amazed at the comaraderie of the mushers, their dedication to their teams’ health and well-being, and their grit.

Picture this: I'm sitting in a goal-setting seminar, pen in hand, when I write down words that would change my life fore...
03/03/2025

Picture this: I'm sitting in a goal-setting seminar, pen in hand, when I write down words that would change my life forever: "I want to travel all over the world teaching people how to be better communicators."

At the time, I was working with the National Pork Producers Council on the “Pork. The Other White Meat.” campaign.

Some might say that's quite a leap from where I am today, but here's the thing - whether you're talking about selling more pork, new business interviews, crisis management, or people management, it all comes down to communication.

That single moment became my North Star. Every career decision, every course, every raised hand in meetings - it all pointed toward that dream. And you know what? It worked.

What I discovered working with 20+ agricultural associations along the way was fascinating. And the construction industry reminded me so much of my agricultural roots - hardworking people, practical tools, real results.

Like farmers, construction professionals are genuine, dedicated folks who excel at their craft but sometimes struggle to communicate their true value.

Nearly 30 years later, I'm privileged to continue my work with construction companies across America, helping them win multi-million dollar projects based on VALUE, not price. My "BUILD" framework has transformed how these companies approach new business interviews.

The results: They're bringing home more projects-- and bigger projects at better margins.

Are you tired of losing projects to lower bids when you know you offer superior value?

👇 Comment "BUILD" below to learn more about my proven framework for winning new business interviews.

Crisis Management = Reputation Insurance. Are you insured? What will your stakeholders say when your company experiences...
12/02/2024

Crisis Management = Reputation Insurance. Are you insured? What will your stakeholders say when your company experiences a crisis?

What will show up in the media and on social media?

Your relationships with employees, their families, the local media, the communities where you're building, and other stakeholders -- These relationships can mean the difference between preserving your company's reputation and losing your business.

For tips on "Reputation Insurance," check out my latest article.

Imagine that it’s 2:37 AM, and your phone jolts you awake. There's been a catastrophic equipment failure at your newest construction site, resulting in significant structural damage to an adjacent building.

You get a first place medal! You get a first place medal! Everyone on the NWHS Oral Interp team got a first place medal ...
11/07/2024

You get a first place medal! You get a first place medal! Everyone on the NWHS Oral Interp team got a first place medal at Districts yesterday!! And we brought home the team trophy!

Congratulations Allie Hoekman, Annie Dvorak, Abbie Schnell, and Shelbey Fortin.

Great job!

I take mine extra strong—with creamer, and sweetener. How about you?
10/30/2024

I take mine extra strong—with creamer, and sweetener.

How about you?

This morning’s coffee brought to me by…ABC SoCal! Thanks for the great day—and great SWAG!

See you soon!

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McLean, VA

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