Business services are industries that support the operations, infrastructure and productivity of other businesses. They can include consulting, property management, finance, accounting and information technology. Other services can be found in the areas of logistics, waste management, insurance and human resources. The major characteristic of business services is that they are intangible. Unlike goods, services cannot be stored for future use like inventory.
Companies that focus on offering business services usually employ a service management model. They offer professional expertise in specific disciplines to other companies on a contract basis. This approach reduces the need for internal employees to have specialized skill sets, which can increase efficiency and improve cost-effectiveness. In addition, these firms typically offer a variety of outsourcing options. This makes it possible for a company to outsource noncore activities and concentrate on its core functions.
The key to success for a service business is focusing on the customer experience and meeting customers’ needs and desires in a way that competitors can’t match. This approach requires a shift in managerial mindset from product-focused thinking to experience-focused thinking. It also involves a deep understanding of the business services’ value proposition and how it can differentiate the firm from competitors.
Whether it’s a credit card processing service or a virtual private network, business services are critical to the daily operations of many businesses. These services enable consumers and businesses to make payments or provide access to their account. Some of these services can even be integrated into other business software systems.
It is also common for a business service to be similar to a consumer version of the same product, but with added features or improved quality. A good example is a cloud storage service that offers increased data redundancy for business users. Another common type of business service is a travel agency that offers corporate discounts on airline tickets.
Business-to-business services are often complex and highly customized. Consequently, the service provider and its customers need to interact frequently during the process. This can cause delays and misunderstandings, and may also affect the final outcome. For example, a customer who dithers at a fast-food counter can slow down the delivery of food to everyone behind him.
One of the biggest business service sectors is financial. This includes everything from advisory services offered by investment banks regarding business financing to top-level strategy such as mergers. Other important business services include legal and employment services. In the European Union, the business services sector contributes about 11% of its GDP. The industry is growing rapidly and expanding into new fields. This expansion is due in large part to the fact that the economy is increasingly becoming service-based rather than manufacturing-based. This trend is being driven by increasing demand for high-tech services and the need to develop innovative combinations of existing and new products.
