A Career in Business Services Can Be Rewarding
Business services are activities that benefit companies without supplying physical products. These can include marketing, event planning, training, waste management and many other non-tangible services. This type of business has been gaining popularity among companies that want to outsource certain tasks, due to its flexibility and cost-efficiency. A career in business services can also be rewarding, but there are several things you should know about this field before jumping in.
The advantages of a service-based business model are that it can be the fastest way to start generating revenue, provides the opportunity for recurring revenue through long-term contracts and may offer more opportunities to upsell additional services to existing customers. A service business can often have lower overhead costs than a traditional retail or manufacturing business because it doesn’t require the same amount of upfront investment to make or purchase inventory and equipment.
A service business also can be more flexible in the ways it works with customers and clients. For example, a service business that offers tech support can offer in-person or remote assistance. It can also decide whether it wants to charge a flat fee for its services or set up a subscription service to automatically bill customers each month.
This can be helpful for a company that wants to ensure customer satisfaction and build a strong relationship with them over the course of a year or more, which can help with customer retention and referrals. However, this type of business may not be the best fit for a person who isn’t comfortable with working in a fast-paced environment or doesn’t have strong interpersonal skills.
Other reasons to consider a career in business services include the fact that it can provide more freedom than some other types of work and the potential for high earnings. However, Spinelli warns that the demands of a job in this field can be heavy and if you’re not careful you could end up burning yourself out. Having a good support system can help you manage these pressures and stay focused on what’s most important for your business.
People who own or operate a service business often need to have excellent interpersonal skills to help them serve their customers well and keep them happy and coming back. They also need to be competent in their field, which can increase the likelihood that their customers will recommend them to others.
Lastly, entrepreneurs who run a service business need to take steps to streamline their workflow and reduce the time they spend managing administrative duties. For instance, they should use a software solution like Xero to automate invoicing and payroll, so they can track and pay their workers from anywhere, including from home. This helps eliminate paperwork and saves them time during tax season. Lastly, they should consult their local and state agencies to learn what kinds of taxes are required for their business. NerdWallet is a personal finance website. This article has been reviewed and approved for accuracy by a professional financial writer affiliated with NerdWallet.