A large sector of the economy, Business services provide work for other businesses and organisations. These are intangible services that do not result in a physical commodity and include IT services such as software development or training, management services like facility management or office management, legal services and employment services. In many countries, the service sector is larger than manufacturing and accounts for up to 50% of GDP. Business services are becoming increasingly important to European competitiveness as they support product innovations and new combinations of goods and services, and enable companies to develop innovative ways of delivering value.
Business-to-business services (B2B) are services that are provided between trading businesses such as between a car manufacturer and the wholesaler who supplies them with the tires and rubber hoses that go into making cars. They are distinct from business-to-consumer and business-to-government services.
The emergence of technology and digitalisation have transformed the business services industry, as they are increasingly being delivered through web platforms and systems and via telecommunications infrastructure. These changes are being further enabled by the EU’s Single Market policies and internal market legislation, which aim to remove obstacles for companies seeking to offer business services across borders.
If you’re thinking of a career in business services, there are plenty of options available. The work is highly varied, and you can choose a job that fits with your skills and interests. But you’ll need to be comfortable with a high degree of pressure and the fast pace of working in this sector.