The ultimate HR guide to: The 2025/2026 HR buyer’s guide
Choosing the right HR support is one of the most important decisions you can make for your business.
Get it right and you’ll have happier people, fewer problems, stronger performance and more time to focus on growth.
Get it wrong and you could face costly mistakes, legal risks and culture issues that affect your bottom line.
This guide is here to help you to make the right choice.
Whether you’re hiring your first employee, growing your team or dealing with complex people challenges, it’s vital to understand what kind of HR support you need and how to get it.
1. The different HR roles and how they support your business at every level
HR isn’t just about policies and paperwork. It operates on three levels, each offering different values to your business.
Operational HR
This is the foundation. It’s the day-to-day work that keeps you legally compliant and your business running smoothly.
Examples:
· Contracts, handbooks and policies
· Absence and vacation management
· Disciplinary and grievance procedures
· Health and safety basics
Tactical HR
This level helps you to manage and improve your people practices.
Examples:
· Recruitment and onboarding
· Employee relations
· Performance management
· Training and development
· Supporting line managers
Strategic HR
This is where HR becomes a growth driver. It links people strategy directly to business outcomes.
Examples:
· Organizational design and workforce planning
· Leadership development and succession planning
· Culture and engagement strategies
· Change management and transformation
· Employer branding and retention
As a business, you need to decide what HR support you need. Many businesses only focus on the bottom layer and miss out on the value HR can really bring.
That's why we advise getting HR support that can help you with all three.
2. The different ways to get HR support (and what they cost)
Here are your main options:
Option 1: Train an existing team member
✅ Lowest upfront cost
❌ Lacks experience, may miss risks or make mistakes
❌ Not suitable for anything beyond basic admin
💲 Still requires investment in training
Option 2: Hire an internal HR manager
✅ Dedicated support on-site
❌ High salary, recruitment costs and benefits
❌ May not be cost-effective for small to mid-sized businesses
💲 Average HR Manager salary (U.S.): $80,000–$120,000+
Option 3: Use a large HR provider
✅ Fixed-fee packages, 24/7 support
❌ Call center-style advice, little personalization
❌ Not strategic or proactive and often highly risk-averse
💲 Packages from $250/month, but costs increase with complexity
Option 4: Work with an independent HR consultant
✅ Personalized support from someone who knows your business
✅ Flexible and cost-effective
✅ Strategic input and hands-on delivery
💲 Flexible hours which allow you to control the cost
Why choose an independent HR consultant
An independent HR consultant gives you the best of both worlds – expert support when you need it, without the overheads of hiring in-house or the impersonal service of a large provider.
Here’s what sets us apart:
1. Personal service
You’ll work with someone who gets to know your business, your team and your goals – not a stranger in a call center.
2. Flexibility
Support that grows with you. Whether it’s a quick call, a project or a long-term partnership, you only pay for what you need.
3. Deep expertise
We bring years of hands-on HR experience across a range of industries. We know what works, what doesn’t and how to get results quickly.
4. Strategic insight
We go beyond the basics to help you to build a high-performing team, reduce risk and improve your business from the inside out.
5. Value for money
You get access to senior-level HR support for a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house – with a focus on solving problems before they escalate.
What to do next
If you'd like to learn more about how we can help, please get in touch and let's book in an initial, free, confidential discovery call today.