Human resources consulting: friend or foe? - Are you "maximising the return on your investment in human capital"? Are vour ,,people management and financial management strategies clearly connected"? Are voti prepared for the "new business day"? . Are these valid questions that will enable employing organisations to focus on the most important issues facing them? Or is this consultancy -speak" - a series of platitudes dressed up as corporate wisdom? . We look at human resources consultancy, identify the main players, examine the services they offer, and sketch out some of the advantages - and disadvantages - of using HR consultants. Our detailed guide includes a directory giving service and contact details for 14 leading consultancy firms operating in die UK.