Business services are activities that benefit companies without providing physical products. They can range from administrative support such as shipping, janitorial and waste management to more complex consulting, IT, legal and financial services. Business service providers can be found in all industries and are often outsourced because of their specialized expertise and their ability to provide customized solutions.
The most common business services are IT, accounting and marketing. Other services include consulting, telecommunications and transportation. Increasingly, business services are being offered through web platforms and systems, making them available to businesses wherever they are located in the world. This flexibility and accessibility has opened the door to new types of business services that were not available before.
Unlike goods, which can be stored for future use, services are consumed during the process of their delivery. The provider and the customer interact during this interaction, which can impact the quality of the service provided. As a result, it is difficult to measure the value of a service because it cannot be physically held.
The qualifications needed to obtain a job in the business services industry vary depending on the specific industry. For example, to work in a logistics role, you may need a high school diploma and strong computer skills. However, for a more professional position like an IT engineer or accountant, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in your field. Because many jobs in this industry are customer-centric, it is important to have strong interpersonal communication and sales skills.