“Sow that ye shall reap” is a fundamental HR tenet. Yet, ironically, just as other assets slump – making human capital an ever-more canny choice for investment – that same economic context makes arguing the case for talent, and its development, an ever-more challenging task.Tradition dictates that, when the going gets tough, the training budget gets cut. So how do we prove that there’s no method in the madness? We need a clear, bold message. In some ways, it doesn’t matter what your particular story is. The important thing is to create your own one that fits with your specific organisation, its priorities and goals.