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.

Small Business Insurance

Car Insurance: The Rise of Car Key Theft

Having your car stolen must be one of the most distressing things to have happen to you. You may be left stranded in a strange area or left without access to a car to get to work or to get the children to school.

Small Business Banking

Banking on assistance

Many businesses are still having no luck in obtaining bank loans.

Blog

Business Growth Stories

The news is awash with the critical impact spending cuts could have on small businesses, but a poll by SmallBusiness.co.uk tells a more positive story of companies' bullish plans to expand.

News

Businesses woefully underprepared for ageing workforce

Businesses will struggle to adapt to an ageing workforce, suggests research.

News

Online retailers don’t deliver the goods

Inflexible delivery could be hampering online retail growth.

Startup Funding and Grants

Are there loans for women in business?

Are there any specific loans for women in business?

Sole trader

The Questions Most Asked by Small Business Owners

We have compiled a list of the top six questions most frequently put to our panel of business adviser experts.

Employing & managing staff

Unpaid leave

Some of my staff are having unpaid time off, although they have an entitlement of 24 days per annum. Can the amount of holiday entitlement be adjusted because they are not working the amount of time they are contracted to do?

News

Entrepreneurs are the new role models

Young people see business leaders as their new role models, claims a survey.

Employing & managing staff

Calling in sick 

Bosses are rendered powerless by the line: ‘I feel a bit fluey, I don’t think I’ll be able to come in today.’

Investing in a franchise

Going for growth – A franchise growth case study

Gill Thomas started kids' music classes Jo Jingles in 1995 and has since grown the company to the tune of £4 million, with nearly 100 franchise outlets.

Business management

MBO or MBI?

What's the difference between a management buy-in and a management buy-out?