The Business services industry provides non-financial service operations within an organization to support the core business. The industry is composed of a broad range of sectors such as logistics, staffing services, waste management and administrative support. Business services help companies meet their clients’ needs and expectations. They also play a key role in integrating the value of products through new combinations of goods and services. They are one of the largest sectors in the European Union and contribute 11% of its GDP.
The Office of Business Services is committed to leadership and expertise in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of auxiliary services essential for Kean University to fulfill its mission. Whether it’s the campus bookstore, food services, vending services or financial services (cash management, banking and treasury), the Office of Business Services is a leader in providing exemplary services to our students, faculty and staff.
Service businesses are less capital-intensive than manufacturing, retail or other product-based industries. This is because they do not require the initial investment in equipment necessary to produce products. They offer their customers a range of services that allow them to do something better, faster or cheaper than they could without the business’s assistance. For example, a design company can create logos, signage, publications or web graphics for its clients. The company can also provide consulting and advice.
Other examples of business services include logistics, such as warehousing and transportation, which facilitate the movement of goods to and from customers. Warehousing services may also add value to a product, by sorting bulk goods into customized lots, labeling, performing light assembly and performing other value-added functions. This type of service can improve relationships between manufacturers and their customers by making the delivery process more efficient.
Another important category of business services is information technology, which helps companies keep track of data and communicate with employees and clients. Some IT services are provided by internal departments, while others, such as cloud computing and device services, are outsourced to outside providers. These services allow a company to scale up or down its IT capabilities quickly and cost-effectively as the needs of the business change.
The success of Business Services depends on the ability to understand and respond to customer needs, and the ability to balance the components of the Service. Defining and designing Business Services for success involves using techniques that start with the customer (or potential customer) and identify their needs, then translate these into simple measurable requirements. These, together with other business context information, form the basis for a service blueprint. Using these techniques, successful Services are more profitable and easier to maintain and upgrade, as well as providing a greater benefit to the customer. The principles and techniques described in the Defining and Designing Business Services for Success article are as valid and valuable to existing Services as they are to creating new ones. In fact, the techniques can often be more important to upgrading existing Services than creating new ones.