The Business Services Sector
The business services industry is one of the largest and most diverse sectors in Europe. It includes work related to consulting, information technology, administrative support, logistics and shipping, human resources, and waste management, among others. Companies in this sector offer non-product work and help their clients be successful. This type of work is essential to a company’s operation but doesn’t produce a tangible product. In addition to its size, the industry is a key part of the economy, contributing 11% of GDP to the European Union (EU).
While all businesses need these services to function properly, they may not be able to perform them themselves or they might need specialized expertise. In such cases, companies contract with other firms to provide them with these business services. This outsourcing is a standard practice in many industries and helps to improve customer service levels as well as reduce costs.
For example, a small architectural firm might contract with a large firm to help draw plans for new facilities. This helps the firm focus on its strengths while leaving the technical work to the experts.
These firms often work with a number of different clients, some of which are companies and some of which are end consumers. Depending on the nature of the work, they might also provide additional work such as security, cleaning, and catering to employees or customers. This work is done by a subset of the business services sector called professional services.
Some business services can be quite personal in nature. For instance, a landscaping agency might provide a corporate client with workout facilities or a relaxing place to take a break from work. These services are a form of workplace well-being and can boost employee productivity and satisfaction.
Providing these types of services is often difficult as it requires a great deal of empathy and understanding. In addition, these workers must be able to perform their duties efficiently and effectively while dealing with demanding clients. This can be difficult and time-consuming, especially when these people are working outside of their comfort zones.
A large portion of this industry’s workforce consists of highly skilled professionals who specialize in their field. This makes the industry a good choice for individuals who are looking to get into work that will be both challenging and rewarding at the same time.
The industry is also known for its high level of employee safety and health, with an exceptionally low rate of workplace fatalities. However, it is not immune to occupational hazards and injuries.
The average manager of business services earns a higher salary than other managers in the same industry. This may be due to the fact that these positions require extensive training in managerial and organizational skills as well as the ability to oversee various teams. Additionally, these managers have a more complicated job as they must be able to balance the needs of revenue-generating line managers with the demands of shared service models.