Business services are the activities and roles that collectively support a company’s operations and functions. There are many occupational paths within this field that appeal to people with a variety of interests and skillsets. Many of the jobs in this area provide attractive compensation and often offer flexible working arrangements, including the ability to work from home or on the go. Read on to learn more about this career path and determine if it is right for you.
A service can be defined as an intangible product or service that is purchased by a customer to meet an outcome, experience, or knowledge need. Examples of business services include consulting, outsourcing, project management and IT services. While most businesses provide some form of business services, there are also many independent companies that specialize in specific services like specialized IT security and janitorial service.
The industry that provides business services is vast and includes all the industries that help a company operate and function efficiently. Some of these include IT, marketing, shipping and procurement. This sector of the economy is a significant driver of economic growth, and it continues to grow rapidly. The emergence of the digital business model has increased the demand for these services and created new opportunities for those that supply them.
These services are not physically produced or delivered to customers, but they can improve the operational efficiency and competitiveness of a company. They can help a business reduce costs, increase productivity, or access a broader range of expertise that they cannot develop in-house.
Business services are intangible and cannot be touched, making them more difficult to measure than goods or services. To successfully launch a digital business service, the following steps need to be taken:
Identify a use case that defines the goals and benefits of the new service. Create a statement of work to describe how the service will be fulfilled and where accountability lies for the benefits realized. Develop a system of action for the service that outlines how it will be implemented and managed by stakeholders. Test the service with customers to ensure they can meet their needs and gain feedback on how to improve or change the offering. Ensure all the stakeholders understand the importance of the service and their responsibilities.
While the career paths in this field are diverse, they all have one thing in common – the need for excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills. Choosing the right business services career for you will depend on your preferred level of responsibility and the complexity of the work that you want to do. Most of the occupations in this field require at least a bachelor’s degree, but some may require more advanced degrees or technical training. Some of the more popular careers in this field are human resources, information technology and accounting. Some of these jobs also come with a range of additional job benefits, including paid vacations and health care. These perks can make the decision to pursue a career in business services even more attractive.