Business services include activities that help a company maintain operations but do not result in the production of a physical commodity. These services also do not meet a customer’s direct need. For example, a real estate agent’s work does not produce a tangible product but is important to the company’s ability to operate. Other examples of business services include information technology (IT) support that supports many other business services, such as procurement and shipping.
In a general sense, business services can be broken down into several categories:
Administrative business services – include accounting, human resources, consulting, and information technology services. These are the functions that allow a company to function properly and efficiently.
Other important business services are warehousing, transportation, insurance and communication services. These are all necessary for a company to conduct business and stay in touch with customers, suppliers and other companies.
Marketing services are also included in business services. These are the services that a company uses to promote its products and services. These services can range from a simple brochure to an entire advertising campaign. A business can also hire a business services professional to handle marketing for them, such as a public relations consultant. There are a wide variety of jobs in the field of business services, some of which only require a high school diploma or GED certificate, while others may call for a bachelor’s or graduate degree. The number of workplace fatalities and occupational injuries and illnesses for professional and business services workers increased in 2016. These professionals are often exposed to hazardous materials and are likely to encounter a number of safety risks.
