About

Ben Lobel was the editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk from 2010 to 2018. He specialises in writing for start-up and scale-up companies in the areas of finance, marketing and HR.

Finding and selling to customers

How can small businesses compete with big brands?

In this piece, we look at five tips to ensuring your small operation can stack up with and compete against the big boys.

Business Technology

The evolving world of technology and employment

Here's how, rather than stealing our jobs, technology is enabling humans to have new jobs.

Marketing

The future of TV advertising

Here, we look at the change in the way in which viewers access and digest content.

Small Business Banking

Five companies on what banks could do better for small businesses

Here, five small business owners and managers give their views on what banks could do to better serve early-stage and smaller companies.

Business Technology

Making your small business website a big deal

The website will often be the first point of contact between the brand and customer and it is therefore crucial that small businesses get it right. Here's how they can.

News

Small businesses unimpressed by pledges from May

Theresa May's message to small businesses that cuts to EU funding after Brexit would be replaced and that the sector would be 'at the heart' of the government’s renegotiation strategy have not convinced the SME sector.

Employing & managing staff

How small business owners learned the art of delegation

In this piece, we talk to businesses about how they took on staff and reduced the pressure on themselves through delegation.

Business management

The case for a policy change in favour of ethnic minority businesses

Mayank Shah discusses how government figures for SMEs and business ownership may be misleading when it comes to ethnic minorities.

Marketing

Stealth sales tips from a network marketing entrepreneur

In this piece, Cliff Walker shares some tips from one of the toughest sales industries: network marketing.

Employing & managing staff

Does a fantasy football culture boost office morale?

It's almost time for people in the offices of Britain to shout loudly across the room at each other about the merits of a midfield place for Glenn Whelan. This can only mean fantasy football is round the corner. But what does it mean for morale and productivity?

Government Grants

Small business grants: The companies that benefitted

Tom Craig's company received a £16,000 grant from a local council and the Creative Quarter, which offers support for start-ups in the Nottingham area. Here, he talks about how he secured the cash.