Within most corporate environments there is a focus on achieving tangible results. Internal activities that support achievement of results, but do not produce results directly, are often overlooked and undervalued. The HR function can often be caught in this situation. How do you ensure other managers appreciate your contribution?

From a marketing perspective it is important to accept adage "perception IS reality". The issue of perception is always relative, and customer is always right (because it is their perception that matters).

Customer groups for a human resources manager may be as varied as trainees, executives, board members, employee representatives and general staff. It is important to recognise different needs of each customer group and manage their expectations and perceptions.

It is a fact of corporate life that 'getting numbers' is important. Managers accept this and often judge corporate activities by how they contribute towards achieving business objectives.

How many HR practitioners can identify "real business problems" that are being targeted by their activities. Are these problems important to senior management? Can you quantify results? HR services will be more highly valued when they can clearly demonstrate a meaningful contribution towards 'getting numbers'.

In a former role I was fortunate to have an experienced staff trainer reporting to me. Let's call her Sue. One day Sue approached me with concerns about perception other managers held about value she was providing to organisation. Sue had trained hundreds of company personnel and customer's retail staff but still could not articulate how her activities related to achieving companies objectives. This doubt had started to affect her own perception of her services and adversely impact her self-esteem.

The fact is, in these days of cold hard realities and tumultuous times consumers have no patience with huge egos and hard to reach professionals. It doesn't matter how much time and effort you have put into your status. What consumers do respond to is expert that makes himself friendly and available. If you have spent last few years working hard to build your expert status, take next step by expanding on that effort by making yourself accessible. Consider following friendly maneuvers:

Email: The more popular you become as an expert harder it will be to manage ongoing and increasing flow of email. However, with that expert status comes more income. Use some of it to hire assistance to tend to incoming email in a friendly and approachable manner.

Usually it's not who answers email as much as that email gets answered. Don't leave customers hanging, prospects wondering, and leads languishing. As you grow in expert status grow help you need to keep your business running smoothly. Lost emails sent to experts give sender a feel of not being important.