Business services are the activities and solutions that businesses provide to the general public and other organizations. These services are often nontangible, but they are essential for the success of any business. They can include production, marketing, safety, and convenience. Business services are often outsourced to third parties, but there are several ways to work from home as an independent contractor.
Some business services are more technical than others, but all allow the organization to focus on core business functions. Examples include IT audits and employee self-service portals. Some businesses even hire child-care providers to provide in-office childcare. The benefits of business services are numerous, and include lower costs, increased flexibility, and improved customer satisfaction scores.
Business services can be diverse and flexible, allowing for a more agile organization. For example, Microsoft offers paid vacation days and sick leave days, along with flexible work hours. Many of these services also promote a healthy lifestyle and active work culture. A healthy work environment promotes positive behavior and professional relationships. Companies like PepsiCo also offer incentives for employee success. A healthy work culture fosters transparency, healthy competition, and job satisfaction.
Business services also include technical services, which provide value to internal and external customers. Examples include verification of Internet access, website hosting, online banking, and remote backups and storage. These services typically come with an associated Service Level Agreement (SLA), which defines the terms of service. Another example is Device Service, which monitors all devices within a specific region.