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.

Export & Import

Essentials you need to make your business into a global success story

Here, we consider the essentials needed by any business planning to take this brave step into the global marketplace.

Small Business Insurance

How one small business approached essential insurance cover

Here, Steven Daniels talks about the insurance provision he put in place as a small business owner and the importance of the right cover.

Startup Funding and Grants

SME investment: What can we expect in 2017?

Grant Bergman reveals his predictions for how the small business investment landscape will turn out in 2017.

Employing & managing staff

How to motivate your team at the least productive time of the year

In this piece, we look at some of the biggest factors affecting productivity and mood, and offer you some effective solutions to beat the seasonal dip in team morale.

Export & Import

How to choose the right plastic containers for your product

It pays to take a little time and plan what type of packaging will be best suited for your product. Here are a few things to consider.

Business management

What is a strategic partnership?

In this piece, Carl Reader discusses the key factors that make for a good strategic partnership between two businesses.

Marketing

The value of corporate awards for small businesses

Here, Richard Ellis looks at the importance of employee awards and companies celebrating the achievements of their staff and departmental teams.

Business management

Security strategies for small businesses

Here are few benefits of employing effective safety systems for your small-scale organisation.

Business management

Sustainable solutions for SMEs

Sustainability and CSR are not just luxuries for large companies but are accessible to small businesses too, argues Liam Kavanagh.

Finding and selling to customers

Beat the gig economy and become a direct selling entrepreneur

Could becoming a direct selling entrepreneur be the best way to beat the gig economy? In this piece, Lindsay Harriss find out.

Business Ideas & Planning

Four small business steps to creating your niche

How do you go about discovering your business niche? Here, Mark Perera gives his top tips for would-be company owners.

Office & home working

Five trends set to transform working practices

Pete Sayburn shares his insight into the latest thinking and ways of working that businesses should be looking to deploy.