Business
Looking for positive and inspiring business stories? From green operations to employee rights, from innovative corporate structures to diversity and inclusion, the Business section at The Optimist Daily has got the latest innovative solutions from the corporate sector.
Crayola releases more diverse “Colors of the World” crayon line
Racial bias is ingrained in many of our everyday products. Items ranging from band-aids to facial recognition software were not developed with the full range of the world’s racial diversity in mind. When Crayola Crayons first released their “flesh tint” in 1903, it only applied to a narrow Read More...
Teams need a devil’s advocate. Here’s how to play the role productively
A good team has a diverse set of members who have different perspectives, experiences, points of view, and styles. This prevents blind spots and groupthink that can lead the team down dangerous paths and to poor performance. But one of the key roles that teams often get wrong is that of the Read More...
New agreement helps protect migrating monarch butterflies
Every year millions of monarch butterflies migrate from northern and eastern U.S. and Canada to spend winter in southern California and Mexico. Now, these threatened species are getting a little more help along the way, thanks to an agreement between The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Read More...
Food access: The LA restaurant charging lower prices in poorer areas
Fast food restaurants don’t just lure people into eating their unhealthy food because it tastes good. Often enough, fast food is chosen because it’s cheaper than other options. If healthy fast food was the same low cost as McDonald’s, would people keep choosing to eat McDonald’s? That’s Read More...
Giant media publisher pledges to become carbon-neutral by 2030
The coronavirus pandemic may have infused the world with uncertainty, but one thing remains clear: the climate crisis is not going away. With that in mind, global media company Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, GQ, The New Yorker, Wired, and others, has recently committed to becoming carbon-neutral Read More...
What does post-COVID-19 dining look like? QR code menus
This past week we dove into what dining out might look like in a post-COVID world. As one of the first countries to open up public activities again, Italy is giving us a glimpse into returning to normal life again. One big change: no more paper menus. To see food and beverage options, waiters Read More...
Why purpose-driven companies thrive during challenging times
Many businesses are struggling in the face of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but some are also thriving. Although each has unique secrets to their success, one common thread is that most companies seeing growth right now have a purpose larger than profitability. This isn’t a new Read More...
The case for shifting to a four-day workweek for post-pandemic life
At The Optimist Daily, we’re putting a lot of focus on what the world can do after the pandemic to create a healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive society. In New Zealand, one idea that was suggested by prime minister Jacinda Ardern is starting to gain a lot of traction: shifting to a Read More...
How to foster constructive debates within your work team
Working in a diverse workforce where different perspectives come together means learning to navigate conflict constructively. Debates at work can lead to new ideas, but if leaders don’t show receptiveness to different opinions, it will only undermine the whole purpose of having a diverse team. Read More...
Got back pains? Here’s how to ergonomically improve your workspace
Working from home is great for cutting down on your commute time, but your makeshift work station might not be doing your posture any favors. If you’re experiencing back, neck, or shoulder pain from your impromptu couch or kitchen table desk, here are some tips for improving your alignment for a Read More...