Business services are a broad category that includes many different types of businesses. They include everything from accounting, computer support and human resources to pest control and home cleaning.
These industries are expanding, thanks in part to globalization and emerging markets. They provide a wide range of jobs, and are an excellent career option for those who want to work from home or a remote location.
Service is a process that creates benefits by facilitating a change in customers, physical possessions or intangible assets. It cannot be stored for later use like a product can, nor can it be produced in the same way every time, as a product does.
Traditionally, business managers have relied on techniques that were designed for product businesses to address the strategic management challenges of service firms. Much of what determines the health of a product business–the soundness of its offering and the management of its people–is just as indispensable in a service business, and they can be addressed with a similar tool kit.
There are, however, many unique strategic management requirements that are specific to service businesses, and their needs may be more complex than those of product-oriented companies. As a result, they often require new thinking and approaches to strategy development that are not common in other industries.
One of the first things a manager should ask himself when designing a strategic management plan is whether he is primarily focused on selling products, or providing services. The answer to that question is important because it will determine how the business is structured, what its competitive position is and how it operates.
The best example of this is the airline industry, which provides a combination of both physical and intangible products to its passengers. In this case, the airline’s product portfolio serves as a base from which it can differentiate itself and compete for its share of the market.
Another important aspect of strategic management in service businesses is the ability to deliver the service effectively. This requires managers to make decisions about a number of aspects, including the location in which the service is offered and the type of equipment and people that will be used to deliver it.
In addition, a company should develop its reputation as a provider of particular kinds of services and, in some cases, it may be necessary to establish separate companies for different types of service. This can be a costly and difficult exercise, especially in the early days of a service business.
Finally, the ability to build relationships with customers is an important skill in a successful service business. It allows the company to develop repeat customers and referrals from existing clients.
A career in business services can be a good choice for those who want to provide an invaluable service to others and earn a reasonable income. It can also be a good option for those who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and meeting deadlines. It can be a challenging job, though, and you should consider your personal strengths before deciding to pursue this career path.