Business services are activities that benefit a company without producing or delivering any physical products. These include marketing, logistics and inter- and intra-departmental communication. Companies often partner with business service providers to reduce costs, improve efficiency and deliver on customer expectations. These providers may also be able to provide additional labor, expertise and equipment than a company could afford on its own.
The type of business services a company offers depends on its industry and location. For example, an IT consulting firm might offer technical support and software development services. A real estate agency might assist businesses with finding workspaces and negotiating rental agreements. In some cases, a business might hire animal control or pest extermination professionals to address issues related to the health and safety of its employees. Other common services offered by business service providers include computer repair, software updates and maintenance services.
One of the challenges of managing a business that delivers services is that these services are not tangible and cannot be stored for future use. Additionally, the delivery of a service is typically based on the performance and involvement of humans, making consistency difficult to achieve. For example, a dithering customer at a fast-food counter can affect the speed of service for everyone behind him.
A good example of a business service is the support a company might offer its customers through its website or social media channels. This is often referred to as customer service and involves a team of people responsible for answering questions, resolving problems and providing guidance and assistance. This type of customer support is an essential component of many successful companies.