The future of the professional services industry has been widely debated in the media.  From recruitment firms to accounting and financial services practices to high end consultants- it seems like everyone is feeling the pinch.  One chief executive of a high profile recruitment firm was quoted in late 2007 saying "The recruitment industry is riding high on the underlying strength of the economy.  Our industry is completely dependent on economic growth."  With bleak and often conflicting forecasts for growth in 2009 this is not a good position to be in.

The corporate sector is farewelling high end consultants as quickly as they are shedding jobs.  One commentator in the February 12-18 edition of the BRW Magazine did not mince words when describing the consulting sector.  "It's been a golden era for consultants," he writes.  "Flatter organisations riding the crest of unprecedented prosperity have merrily doled out lucrative consulting contracts for work that once would have been done internally, if at all.  Fees were no object.  Neither were quality or relevance, in most cases.” Harsh words, but in many cases well deserved.

Businesses are demanding a greater return on their investment - and rightly so.

Looking over the last few years, the professional services sector has been riding the boom times.  But just like investors in the stock market are finding out- true value comes down to quality and stability- not just fancy spin. 

According to the BRW commentator, he believes that the outcome of the downturn “will be the weeding out of the dross from the sector, one hopes to be replaced by a new breed of professional proud of the contribution they can make..”.

HR Coach is proud to be a representative of that new breed. Over the last 3 years, we have worked diligently with the business sector to provide meaningful outcomes and solid return on investment.

How do we do this?

The HR Coach Research Institute is the main driver for the development, and validation, of the tools and methodologies that are exclusive to the HR Coach Network. Everything we create and implement with businesses must provide meaningful, tangible outcomes. Businesses demand quality and are quite willing to invest in good services- even in tough economic times.

But the quality of tools must be supported with quality people. We carefully select the members of the HR Coach Network. By maintaining high standards and a focus on quality the niche professional services market we have pioneered, HR Coach and our Network Members are the new breed of professionals.

What are your thoughts on the future of the professional services sector?  Share your views with HR Coach by emailing business@hrcoach.com.au .