Business services provide companies with non-financial service such as advertising, marketing, consultation, logistics (including travel and facilities), waste handling, staffing, shipping, administration and security. They also help companies manage the day-to-day running of their businesses and are often a major source of income for many companies.
The definition of a service is usually difficult to define, because it depends on how the product is delivered. Pure service businesses, such as airlines, computer service bureaus, law firms and plumbing repair companies, don’t sell physical goods at all.
Other types of business services include those that serve the needs of people or society. For example, a company that provides child care in office buildings offers a service to keep employees healthy and productive while working long hours.
These services can be used for both commercial and non-profit purposes and are typically regulated by the government. In addition, companies that offer business-to-business services are able to charge a flat or hourly fee for their services and work with businesses to increase efficiency or lower costs.
Cost Reduction: Consolidating various support functions into a centrally managed organization can save time and money while improving service. It can also provide a greater level of control and insight into how a business is performing.
Better Management: Business services have a higher degree of complexity than products, so managers need a more sophisticated tool kit for managing them. This means that they need to understand the differences between a service business and a product business, and apply those differences in their strategy development process.