Business services are various tasks and activities that help maintain a business, despite not producing a tangible product. They can include animal or pest control, maintenance, tech support and other related tasks. These services are important to the operation of most businesses, and many people interact with them on a daily basis. Business service providers can be found all over the world, and their services are used by businesses of all sizes.
The primary difference between goods and services is that goods can be stored for future use, while services are delivered as needed. This makes them intangible, which also sets them apart from products. Because they are so intangible, it’s essential for business service providers to provide exceptional customer experiences in order to stand out from competitors.
To achieve this, business service providers must design their offerings to match the needs and desires of attractive customers. This requires a shift in perspective, as managers must move from thinking about the features of their products to the experience that they deliver. This change in thinking can be difficult, as it requires a new tool kit of skills that are less well established than those of product companies.
Many businesses also utilize shared services, which consolidate certain supporting functions within a corporation to reduce costs and improve productivity. For example, HR shared services help reduce redundant administrative work and allow the company to focus on more strategic priorities. Similarly, IT shared services can lower IT operating costs and allow the company to take advantage of economies of scale in purchasing hardware and software.