Business services are activities that assist a company’s business operations but do not produce a tangible product, such as information technology (IT) or shipping. The business service industry encompasses many specialized areas, such as logistics and transportation, and includes a wide variety of other types of companies that operate in industries like accounting, management consulting and waste management.
A business that offers a service has a unique set of challenges compared to companies that manufacture products. In order to be profitable, a service company must create an attractive offer that attracts customers. This requires that managers undergo a significant shift in perspective: from designing a product to designing a service that meets customer needs and desires.
An approach to crafting a successful service business starts with understanding your market, then planning the business model and finally, setting up processes and systems that will allow your employees to deliver on your promises. Developing service-oriented businesses requires training your staff to be customer-focused, and nailing down standard operating procedures for accepting online bookings, quoting work, scheduling jobs, invoicing clients and getting paid.
If you enjoy working with people, business services may be the right career path for you. However, some of these jobs can be stressful and fast-paced, Spinelli says, so it’s important to consider if this type of work is the best fit for your personality. Additionally, most jobs in this industry require a high level of education and knowledge of specific topics.