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.

Employing & managing staff

Employment versus self-employment

It seems as though our traditional views of what work actually is are being eroded by new ideas about employment.

News

Less lucrative options for female apprentices, study shows

Female apprentices are considerably more likely to end up in low-paid jobs as a result of training in female-dominated sectors, research finds.

Startup Funding and Grants

Start-up loan secured by couple of 73 and 71

Royal Navy veteran David Pledger, 71, and wife Sandra, 73, have become Britain’s oldest entrepreneurs by securing a loan of £25,000 to start up their new company.

Government Grants

Getting a business grant: How five SMEs received assistance

SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to five companies that got financial assistance and asks how they went about securing it.

News

Auto-enrolment a concern for 40 per cent of small businesses

Two out of five small businesses are worried about the 'damaging' impact of automatic enrolment, research finds.

Export & Import

Lawrence Mallinson on exporting

Lawrence Mallinson, founder of James White Drinks, discusses how unexpected problems can arise when shipping your product abroad.

News

Problems with suppliers costing small businesses

The knock-on effect of resolving problems with suppliers is costing UK business more than £10 billion every year, research finds.

Export & Import

How to align your customer care to shipping delivery expectations

Keeping your customers educated on your shipping process allows you to better manage customer expectations, discusses Caroline Mason of John Mason International.

Getting Online

Top tips for building an online brand

In this piece, brought to you in association with .co.uk, the number one domain for British business, SmallBusiness.co.uk looks at the main things you should consider to ensure your online company gets the exposure it needs to be successful.

Accounting

An SME guide to invoicing

Here, SmallBusiness.co.uk gives some pointers on keeping the cash flowing in with efficient and timely invoicing.

International Business

Why small companies should embark on an international trade adventure

In this piece, SmallBusiness.co.uk looks into the benefits of launching your product in foreign territories.

Export & Import

How a British fruit juice brand saw an opportunity to export

Exhibiting at international trade shows was key for the international success of fruit juice business James White Drinks. Here, founder Lawrence Mallinson explains his company's path to exporting.