Business services are a group of activities that help maintain businesses. They can involve providing goods, assisting with production or offering support to customers. Business services can be delivered by companies or individuals and often require specialized equipment or expertise. Some examples of business services are shipping, warehousing and IT support. The industry is growing rapidly as more countries develop and become industrialized.
What are the main characteristics of business services?
The most important characteristic of business services is that they are intangible. This means that they do not produce a physical product and cannot be stored like inventory for future use. In addition, service production and consumption occur at the same time, unlike products which can be manufactured today and sold tomorrow.
In many cases, business services are offered by external providers to save cost and improve efficiency. This type of outsourcing allows a company to focus on its core competencies while leaving noncore tasks to professionals. It is also a great way to expand into new markets without the investment of additional employees or equipment.
Some common business services include accounting, legal, human resources, IT and marketing. Other services are more specific, such as janitorial or property maintenance, which can save a company money by eliminating the need to buy or rent expensive cleaning or construction equipment. Another example is using a third-party contractor to perform construction work, rather than hiring internal staff.
Outsourcing business services also helps a company manage risk and meet regulatory requirements. For instance, an audit firm can assess the effectiveness of a company’s financial controls and help with compliance issues. Similarly, a health and safety consultant can help a company comply with workplace regulations.
Depending on the type of service, it may be necessary to set prices for these offerings. Pricing strategies vary, but the Small Business Association suggests that owners take into account inherent costs when setting prices for their services. These costs include labor, material and overhead costs. They may also include the cost of training or other development opportunities for employees involved in the service.
The type of business services a company requires depends on the industry and its needs. For example, a manufacturing company might need transportation and logistics services to ship its products. It could also need warehousing and value-added services to support its relationship with suppliers. These services might include reducing the amount of paperwork, sorting products, labeling, performing light assembly and packaging for distribution.
A business that provides office or commercial space may also need real estate services. These professionals can help a company find suitable workspaces, negotiate lease agreements and provide advice on location and pricing. Other businesses that offer office or commercial space might need security services to keep the area safe and protect valuable equipment. Some companies also need animal control or pest removal services to deal with infestations. Finally, technology service professionals can help a company troubleshoot problems with computers or other devices, which are important for employee productivity.