Business Services
Business services are intangible offerings that support the operations of businesses. They include IT, finance, HR, marketing, consulting, and logistics services that enable a company to focus on its core functions. They are a major driver of productivity and growth, and they support a broad range of industries including healthcare, financial services, retail, and manufacturing. Outsourcing business services can help companies reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
In the United States, the Business Services industry category includes establishments that provide goods and services primarily to other businesses on a wholesale or retail basis. Typical uses of this category include office products and supply stores, parcel/postal services, computer sales and service, and courier/messenger services.
What is the definition of business services?
A business service is any type of professional work performed by an employee or contractor. This is contrasted with work that is performed by an individual or family member for personal reasons such as gardening and cooking. Business services are the foundation of most economies and are vital to a healthy economy. They support all other industries by enabling them to operate efficiently, compete globally, and provide jobs for citizens. They also help create a competitive environment that promotes innovation and economic growth.
Workplace safety is an important issue for the Business Services industry, which is why workplace injuries and illnesses are reported to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The data from the BLS shows that workers in this industry have some of the highest rates of work-related injury and illness per 100 full-time employees.
The industry also has the largest percentage of workers in the United States that have been diagnosed with an injury or illness that was caused or made worse by a job-related activity. Some of the most common work-related injuries and illnesses that are reported to the BLS include work-related back problems, neck pain, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Some of the most important characteristics of Business services are inseparability and inconsistency. Inseparability means that a service is produced and consumed simultaneously, which can affect its quality. Inconsistency is an important attribute because it can make it difficult to compare and evaluate the quality of different services.
There are many types of Business services, but the main ones include IT, HR, marketing, advertising, and logistics services. IT services help businesses manage their information technology infrastructure, while HR services help companies hire and retain employees. Marketing and advertising services help businesses develop their brand, while logistics services ensure that a business can deliver its products to customers.
The New York State Office of General Services launched the Business Services Center (BSC) in 2012-13 to increase efficiencies and lower costs by centralizing transactional Human Resources and Finance services across agencies. These efforts have improved the customer experience and supported agencies as they focus on their mission activities. The BSC includes a team that oversees and manages the service delivery process and a team that provides specialized technical expertise to agencies as needed.