Business services are an important component of the European economy. The sector contributes 11% of GDP and is essential to European competitiveness, both in manufacturing and service sectors.
Definition:
Business is the activity of producing or selling goods and services to make profits. A business is a separate legal entity in which the owners have a responsibility for its operations.
Service is the act of offering something to a customer, typically for a predetermined price. Unlike products, which can be stored for future use, services have to be delivered to a customer when demanded.
Often, services are given out voluntarily to promote equality or help people. A common example is teaching.
Product and service theorists often view a continuum between services and goods. In practice, most products fall somewhere between these two extremes.
Businesses provide a range of services, from banking to insurance, transportation and communication. These services are needed to run their businesses effectively and efficiently.
Some businesses need specialized business services, like IT support or a computer repair company. Others need maintenance professionals to keep their buildings in good shape.
Other businesses need insurance services to cover the cost of their employees’ health and life. They also need real estate services to find office space or a rental building for their headquarters.
Companies need maintenance services to keep their buildings in good condition, and they may need a pest extermination service to take care of occasional infestations.
These services are essential to many businesses, as they save time and money while ensuring the safety of their staff.
They also allow for a more efficient and productive workforce.
The EU Internal Market legislation and policy actions aim at stimulating the growth of business services across borders. This is done by removing legal barriers and stimulating market competition.
There are four main aspects of service design that a company needs to get right in order to be successful: marketing, distribution, service delivery and product management. These elements must be interconnected to produce an offering that meets the needs and wants of an attractive group of customers.
In marketing, a business must attract customers by appealing to their interests and making their lives easier. The company can do this by offering convenience or friendly interaction with its customers.
The sales team for a service business uses different techniques than the sales team for a product business. They must understand the benefits of services over products and develop a unique selling proposition for each service.
They must also know how to price their services properly. This includes choosing between different pricing models and monitoring and adjusting prices as the market fluctuates.
A business can only be profitable if the inflow exceeds the outflow. Likewise, a company must have the necessary assets to produce and sell its products in order to be successful.