Petrus - muck. '98 Penfolds Grange hits the spot. As a non-consultant, my question is, what plan B do you have when times are lean? Or do you put the Petrus on your cornflakes even when the fees are few and far between? Martin

Things have been quiet on the consultancy front for a few years now. Most of our business is training nowadays. I can sympathise with you but rest assured you are not alone as we have had offers to buy client bases in recent months. The only issue is whether there is any profit in this because of our overheads in general. There are many consultants that trade from their home address (no harm in that) and their schedule of rates are far too low to compete with, so if we did buy any client bases would they stay with us?

I think you've probably answered it yourelf Birchall31628...can you not have all or more of those working for your consultancy operating from home, thereby reducing your operating costs and subsequently being more competetitve?

Hi Bye 33332 same thing happened to me recently, company split in two and i got made redundant. I was working for two directors who jointly ran the company and once they split, I was left working for one. The idea was that my salary would be half covered by the director I was to be working for, and the other half was to be covered by the second director on a contract-out basis. Never happened. Luckily got another role after two weeks watching daytime TV so all will be well. Interestingly, one of the recruitment consultants I spoke to was looking forward to when the market improves. Why? Because H&S bods with loads of experience and training, are having to take lower salaries than they normally would if they are looking for work, because the market is tough and employers are aware that the salaries can be driven down. Once the market improves, however, all those who took salaries below what they would normally expect will be looking for those higher paid positions again. Those employers who took on highly qualified H&S people at low salaries will suddenly have vacancies. Recruitment consultant can't wait.

Hi Birchall31628 Well I'm certainly not grumbling as regards margins and income but unlike yourself I have been able to reduce costs by utilising alternative training venues/facilities as and when required. More often nowadays clients are quite willing to offer their facilities, resources and plant/equipment for a deal so we both benefit.