The business services industry encompasses a wide variety of activities that support companies without delivering a tangible product. These activities include marketing, consultation, logistics (including travel and facilities services), waste handling, staffing services, shipping and administrative services. Companies use these services to help achieve their strategic business goals and objectives. In addition, they use them to maintain competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Businesses need a wide range of business services to operate efficiently. For example, they need banks to provide them with access to financial resources; insurance companies to protect them from the risks associated with their operations; transportation companies to transport raw materials and finished goods; warehousing and storage services to keep inventory organized; communication services to stay in touch with clients; and data processing and information technology services to manage databases and systems. In order to compete effectively in the marketplace, companies also use professional service providers for advertising and public relations services, training programs, human resource management, legal services and notarial services.

Companies rely on business services to help improve their marketing, production, safety, cost and convenience goals and to keep up with work demands. These activities benefit companies in ways that are different from a product-oriented company, such as offering more flexibility and control over work processes and enhancing the productivity of employees. These are called business-to-business services and they may be provided internally or externally.

Some of the most common types of business services are translation, interpreting and interpretation, translation, secretarial, and payroll services. Other business services include IT management, IT consulting, legal services, and facility management. The business services industry is one of the largest and fastest growing sectors in the European Union economy, and it plays an important role in enhancing a country’s competitiveness and contributing to economic growth.

In some cases, employees in a business service job are directly involved in operational processes, influencing the costs and quality of the work they produce. For instance, an architect’s client may explain their needs well or poorly, and that will impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the design process. A customer who dithers at a fast-food counter can cause the service to slow down for everyone behind him.

Careers in business services are varied and offer a number of benefits to those who choose them. Many jobs in the field require little more than a high school diploma or GED certificate, while others require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Individuals interested in pursuing careers in this field should look for industry-specific groups on social media and at local events, such as those sponsored by the chamber of commerce or professional associations. They can also consider completing an online training program such as the free virtual work programs offered by Forage. The courses are designed to teach participants about the day-to-day tasks of various business service roles. The course titles vary, but all feature practical skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace.