Business services are activities that benefit companies without resulting in the production of a tangible product. Large firms rely on these types of services for marketing, cost and convenience purposes. They can be performed by a variety of businesses and can offer anything from consulting to IT support.
Business service management is distinct from product-oriented corporate leadership because it requires a different focus. Instead of concentrating on the characteristics of products that customers will value, managers must consider how an experience will affect a customer and create systems to ensure the quality and consistency of a business service.
As the economy shifts from a consumer-based to an experience-based model, it is important for small businesses to understand how to create and sustain value for their clients. The success of a company can hinge on how well it manages its operations, and the best way to do this is to develop a comprehensive strategy that focuses on four key areas:
Creating a plan for each area is crucial to successful business service management. For example, a financial institution can attract more customers by focusing on providing an experience that goes beyond simply transferring money from one account to another. This can include offering extended banking hours, closer proximity to a client, and greater scope of work that a competitor may not provide.
Another aspect of business service management is ensuring that a company has the proper tools to complete its work. For example, a cleaning service provider will need to invest in rubber gloves and cleaning supplies. Similarly, a software company can increase the functionality and security of its computer programs by updating their software. It is also essential to have a strong management team that can maintain seamless operational processes.
Some examples of business services include animal control professionals, IT support workers and real estate agents. Many companies need these services to address their day-to-day needs, such as arranging pest extermination or finding new office spaces. Using these professionals can save time and money for a business, as they can be contacted quickly and work can continue while the problem is being resolved.
Companies also use real estate agents to help them find new locations and negotiate rental agreements. Lastly, many companies rely on IT support workers to troubleshoot network and computer issues. Keeping these workers on hand can prevent business downtime, as they can respond to technical problems immediately. Moreover, these workers can be helpful in training employees who are not familiar with new technological programs. In addition, they can help a company to implement self-service capabilities for its employees. Lastly, the IT department can be an asset in reducing the time it takes to get things done by helping the company to identify and automate repetitive tasks. The benefits of this can be significant, as it can allow employees to focus more on strategic-based projects and make the business more efficient. This will ultimately lead to increased revenue and profits for a company.
