The service companies They offer intangible elements to their clients to satisfy a specific need. Their end, like the companies that offer products, is profit. For example, companies that provide gas, water or electricity or linked to sectors such as tourism, hotels, culture or communications.
These companies are characterized by their high level of specialization within the activity or branch that they comprise. They tend to focus on offering a single response to the needs of their potential clients, although there are cases of firms that provide more than one service or that combine the generation of products and services.
Characteristics of the services
The services are characterized by being:
Intangibles
- They cannot be manipulated.
- The reputation of suppliers is taken into account by customers when measuring their quality and making decisions.
- They are part of a process.
- They are not transported or stored.
Inseparable
- They are produced and consumed at the same time.
- Are offered in situ.
- They cannot be stored or inventoried.
- Its quality can only be measured after the service has been performed.
Expiring
- Once consumed, they cannot be consumed again in the same way.
- If it is not used, it generates a loss.
- As they cannot be stored, the company loses opportunities if it does not use them to their maximum capacity.
Accessible to customer participation
- The client can request its personalization, according to their particular needs.
- Human capital makes the difference in service companies. Your success or failure in the market depends on it.
- Its sale requires “empathy” on the part of the bidder.
Heterogeneous.
- They are not repeated exactly.
- For the customer there is always a variation in service.
- The perception of quality varies according to the client.
- They can be adapted to the situation and the client.
Types of service companies
Of uniform activities. They offer services in specific and common sectors on a continuous and periodic basis. Due to this quality, on many occasions these companies maintain exclusive agreements with their clients, to whom they offer discounts or special rates. For instance:
- Repair
- Maintenance
- Cleaning
- Audit
- advisory
- Messenger service
- Telephony
- Insurance carrier
- Management
- Water
- Gas
- Telecommunication
- Electricity
- Banks
Of specific activities or by project. Their clients appeal to them occasionally, to satisfy a specific need, which does not last over time. The relationship between the company and the company is temporary and there is no contract that guarantees a new hire. For instance:
- Plumbing
- Carpentry
- Design
- Programming
- Staff pick
- Catering
- DJ’s
- Event organization
Combined. They offer a service along with the sale of a tangible product. For instance:
- Mortuary
- hotel
- Advertising agency that also installs posters
- Cinema
- Discotheque
- Restaurant
- Appliance seller who also offers installation or repair services
Public, private and mixed service companies
Public. They are in the hands of the government and meet the needs of the community. Its main purpose is not profit. For instance:
- Pedevesa. Venezuela Oil Company
- YPF (Fiscal Oilfields). Argentine hydrocarbon company.
- BBC. British Broadcasting Company.
Private. They are in the hands of one or more owners. Its main purpose is profit and profitability. For instance:
- Eastman Kodak Company. American company specialized in the production of photographic material.
- Nintendo Company Limited. Japanese video game firm.
Mixed. Its capital comes from the private and state sectors. The proportions are in such a way that there is no public control, although the State guarantees certain subsidies. For instance:
- Iberia. Spanish airline.
- PetroCanada. Canadian hydrocarbon company.