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.

Legal advice

Redundancy of TUPE Staff

I took on an employee under TUPE but work has since dropped off. Can I legally make him redundant?

Accounting

Ten recession-beating tips

In these uncertain times it’s important to keep your cool and make the right decisions.

News

More flexible working will be demanded by women

More women want a job which fits into looking after their families and are making a 'massive call for change' in working practices, a source predicts.

Business Ideas & Planning

Starting an aquatic shop

I'm thinking about setting up an aquatic shop, but don't really know where to start? I need step by step type of advice, for what I should be looking into.

Finding and selling to customers

Retaining and developing existing customers

In the effort to win new business, it's often easy to forget what a significant revenue stream existing customers can be.

Business Loans

Loans for business abroad

Can anyone provide some information on getting a loan in the UK for a business abroad, in particular South Africa. How do you go about it and which companies / banks provide these loans?

Blog

Necessity, invention and how it is hard being green

The Environment Agency has claimed that greater compliance with green legislation could save small business millions of pounds - fuel is a huge cost that two key business men addressed

Employing & managing staff

Apprentice redundancy

I have just sacked an 18-year-old apprentice who has worked with me for over a year. I am concerned I did not follow the correct procedure, what rights does he have for unfair dismissal?

Business Ideas & Planning

Setting up a business abroad

How do I go about setting up a business abroad? I wish to use a bank outside the UK to hold the account: should I get legal representation here or there?

Work life balance

Working and running a family

Do you have children and want to use your skills and earn an income? Here are some tips for business mums.

Legal advice

Smoking at work

What rights do employees have with regard to smoking, and does the employer have a legal obligation to provide a smoking area off the premises?

Business Technology

Can VoIP really reduce business telephony costs?

Small businesses are constantly seeking to cut costs and become more efficient. This guide to VoIP from SmallBusiness.co.uk and purchasing adviser Indirectchannel explains how using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) can save money.

Ben Lobel

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