Are we really getting the message across?

I recently entered into a discussion with Michael Vandervort (http://www.thehumanracehorses.com) regarding the fact that we need to get across to management that HR people are the smartest people in the room. My question in return was why doesn't management believe us..to which Michael stated that we are not telling the message loud enough. We are the ones who know how to utilize the human capital to the best advantage of the organization. The problem is that in most corporations the human capital experts --US-- are considered nothing more than an expense item. Therefore when times get tough, we all know that we are among the first ones to be cut.

The goal that we need to look at is how to demonstrate in constructive ways that we have more to offer to the organization then a bottom line number. We are the ones who can identify lapses in the way people assets are assigned, utilized and developed. we are the ones who can show how to engage the workforce in the change process to make the organization stronger.

So my question is how are you getting the message across to management? If you are not getting the message across why not? What could you do differently to change the perception of what you do?