Business services are a diverse group of activities that support a business but don’t produce a tangible product. The industry encompasses a broad range of activities from IT support to waste management. Businesses depend on these services and they form a major part of the economy.
A business service is a procedure, activity or function that improves the performance of a customer’s business. An example is a construction firm that builds or renovates a commercial facility rather than the customer, which saves the customer the expense of purchasing and maintaining expensive equipment.
The difference between products and business services is that goods can be stored for future use, while services must be delivered immediately upon demand. A business services company might provide marketing or IT support to a large corporation, but it could also be a temporary job agency or notary.
Some business services are necessary for running a company, such as accounting or warehousing. Others are considered extras, such as business travel or a catering service for an industry conference. In tough economic times, customers tend to cut back on the latter category and focus on buying the essentials, such as food and energy. This can put pressure on the business services industry.
A career in the field of business services requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills. It is important to know your clients’ needs and expectations so you can meet their needs as efficiently as possible. Creating systems for accepting online bookings, scheduling jobs and invoicing helps keep the work process flowing. In addition, a business services professional must be able to handle stress and long hours.
The advantages of a career in the business services sector include flexibility and a potential for advancement. Some positions require only a high school diploma or GED certificate and can be found in a variety of industries. Other roles require a bachelor’s degree, such as those in human resources or information technology.
If you are interested in pursuing a business service career, start by considering your strengths and interests. If you like to work with people and have a knack for meeting expectations, this may be the right career path for you. However, if you are not detail-oriented or don’t have the time to manage people, a career in business services might not be the best choice for you.
A successful career in the business services industry requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as a strong grasp of customer needs and expectations. Start by evaluating your strengths and interests, then determine if you have the knowledge and experience to be successful. If you don’t, consider enrolling in one of Forage’s free virtual work programs to gain hands-on experience in the day-to-day tasks that many of these jobs require. We offer courses for sales professionals, entrepreneurs and executives on topics including lead generation and social media marketing. For more details, check out our course catalog. You can also start by completing one of our free self-study modules, such as “How to Start Your Own Successful Business.” Then take the next step and launch your new career in business services.