Business services are a broad category of activities used to support the operations of companies. They include everything from payroll to human resources, IT, accounting and more. The sector accounts for about 11% of the EU economy and is growing rapidly. However, it faces a number of challenges such as low productivity and persistent legal barriers that prevent the sector from reaching its full potential. The European Commission has set out to address these issues and stimulate growth in the sector through new policies and legislative initiatives.
The major characteristics of business services are that they are intangible and non-revenue generating. They also differ from goods in that the latter can be stocked for later use and the former must be produced when required. They also require customer involvement in the service delivery process.
As a result, the value of a business service largely depends on its quality, which is in turn dependent on the performance and reliability of the service provider. This makes it necessary to develop a comprehensive quality management system (QMS) that is aligned with the overall business service model.
Examples of business services include consulting, training, facility management and warehousing. Others include IT support, data processing, document production, and information management. These are all non-revenue generating activities and can be performed by either internal or external service providers.
Outsourcing business services is a common way for companies to reduce costs and concentrate on their core business. It involves the transfer of a particular function, activity or process to an outside supplier for a fixed fee. This may be done for the purposes of increasing efficiency or reducing risks and costs. Outsourcing is often a good option when the company does not have the skills or resources to perform the service in-house.
For example, a company that manufactures computers and software may outsource its IT services to an outside IT consultancy. Another example is a staffing agency providing temporary workers to companies for their business needs.
Business services can be delivered on a global scale. For example, a logistics company can provide warehousing and transportation services to business customers from different locations across the world. This type of business service is especially useful for multinational companies that operate in multiple countries.
A career in business services can be rewarding for those with the right skills and qualifications. Many of these jobs can be done remotely, which is beneficial for those who want to avoid commuting or need flexibility in their schedule. Additionally, there are a variety of job levels and salary ranges, so that you can find the best career fit for you. You can even start a business services career with as little as a high school diploma or GED certificate. However, there are a number of degrees that can lead to a career in business services. The most popular are the following:
