Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs
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.
Employing & managing staff
Jean-Pierre van Zyl, head of employment at Square One Law, discusses the legal distinction between engaging staff on a contract of employment and a zero-hours contract.
News
Small business owners are losing around 12 days a year keeping on top of their tax administration at a cost of half a billion pounds per year, research finds.
News
Almost a million business managers are working in a way they say is unethical, research finds.
Alternative finance
Demand for lending has remained subdued in recent times but invoice finance has burgeoned, says Bibby Financial Services.
News
Almost two thirds of UK small and medium-sized businesses only employ one person, according to research.
Blog
Controversial lender Wonga has made headlines again for supposedly targeting the vulnerable, but there are two sides to a story, argues Ben Lobel.
Accounting
SmallBusiness.co.uk presents three company owners who experienced cash flow obstacles, and how they battled adversity to overcome the hurdles.
News
More than a third of business owners struggled to take a break this summer, research finds.
Government Grants
Artist Wayne Hart decided to move from Cumbria to Manchester to start a business in letter carving. SmallBusiness.co.uk talks to him about achieving business grants, marketing and growth plans.
Marketing
Consumers and business buyers are willing to pay up to 10 per cent more for brands that offer interesting content and engaging social media experiences, research finds.
News
Almost a third of companies in the UK have seen a rise in absence rates during the recent hot weather, research has revealed.
News
Blackpool is home to the fastest-paying businesses in the UK, according to a study.