Understanding Services: Concepts, Classifications, and Selection

Service Concept

Services are intangible activities, which cannot be stored, provided to meet customer needs. Unlike tangible goods, services usually involve direct interaction between the provider and the consumer. Service quality depends heavily on human factors, skills, and customer satisfaction.

Service Classification

Services are classified according to various criteria, including:

By Nature:

• Personal Services: Include healthcare, education, consulting, beauty services,… focusing on individual needs.
• Business Services: Include financial services, banking, transportation, logistics,… serving business operations.
• Public Services: Include security, defense, public administration,… provided by the government.

By Level of Contact:

• High-contact services: such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare, require direct interaction between the provider and the consumer.
• Low-contact services: such as telephone services, internet, cable television, have more indirect interaction.

By Intangibility:

Services are often intangible and difficult to assess quality before use. Therefore, building reputation and creating trust with customers is very important.

Choosing the Right Service

Choosing the right service depends on many factors, including:

• Needs: Clearly define your needs.
• Budget: Consider your affordability.
• Quality: Research previous customer reviews.
• Reputation: Choose reputable and experienced service providers.
• Time: Consider the service completion time.

Conclusion: Understanding the concept, classification, and factors affecting service quality helps you choose the right service to meet your needs effectively.