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 to get your retail business ready for Christmas

In this piece, in association with Boost Capital, we look at how e-commerce companies should be gearing up now to cope with the Christmas rush.

Finding and selling to customers

How one boutique hotel owner benefitted from customer reviews

Here, we look at how positive customer reviews online can be both a blessing and a curse in the hospitality industry.

News

Labour market withstands the summer slowdown

The UK’s labour market has not only withstood the recent Brexit, but also the dreaded ‘summer slowdown’, research finds.

Business management

Should your small business have a risk management plan?

Micro business owners struggle to prioritise risk management, according to a recent survey commissioned by Broker Network.

Setting up a company

How one business flourished despite an initial lack of sector knowledge

A dearth of sector knowledge didn't stop James Kinsella and Adam Carnell from launching their online printing business. Here's how they went from nothing to a £30 million turnover.

Employing & managing staff

Internal training valued highly by small business employees

Here, we look at the internal training methods small companies employ to ensure a satisfied workforce.

Employing & managing staff

Staff retention: Five ways SMEs can keep quality employees

Stuart Hearn discusses how small and medium-sized enterprises can use their strengths to maximise staff retention.

Accounting

Small businesses feel they’re getting a raw deal on tax

Seven in ten SME owners feel hard done by when it comes to tax, a study finds.

Advice

Six smart ways any small business can save money

Here are some insights to help small business owners from any industry to lower their overhead and still reach their target market.

Work life balance

Surprise! Majority of employees and managers engage in hard work

New research has shockingly found that a majority of employees and managers engage in hard work, toiling longer than their contracted hours.

Accounting

Expenses fraud: Haven’t we heard it all before?

Here, Melanie Guy discusses the importance of an appropriate and up-to-date expense policy which your employees understand.

News

Croydon: The fast-growing hub for young companies

Croydon has the UK’s fastest-growing economy as it increasingly becomes a leading business hub for technology companies, research finds.