In top performing service businesses, leaders take a customer centric, holistic view that questions the norms. Particular areas to look at more deeply are:
1 Investment plan for the future
2 Focus on productivity and not headcount
3 Installed based intelligence
4 Transparent accounting data
5 Balanced R&D investment between products & services
6 Attracting the best people

Do this and you will earn the necessary respect of the many stakeholders needed to drive the business forward.