About Business services
In contrast to product-based businesses, which sell tangible goods or commodities, service-based companies offer intangible services for a fee. Some examples of business services include accounting firms, IT support, and consulting agencies. Service-based companies are essential, as they provide consumers and businesses with important services that they would otherwise be unable to perform themselves.
However, the success of a service business often comes down to how well it gets four critical elements right. Developed as part of an MBA course on service leadership, these are:
Centralized Services
Sharing certain services can help businesses save money and improve quality. For example, by centralizing customer-facing functions, a company can eliminate the need for duplicate processes and create standardized workflows that result in more efficient operations. By consolidating services, a company can also increase visibility into performance and identify areas for improvement.
Increasing Demand for Services
Some of the key trends driving business services include increased demand for remote services, mobile services, and sustainable services. Consumers are looking for services that can be delivered to them in a way that suits their lifestyle and schedule, such as online bookkeeping, telemedicine, and eco-friendly cleaning.
In times of economic hardship, it is common for people to cut back on services like oil changes and dog walking. As a result, it is more important than ever to make sure that your service business offers value and is something that customers actually need.
