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.
Puppy love and stress reduction in the modern office
If you visit a modern office space, you will likely see standing desks, egg chairs, and maybe even dogs. More and more companies are welcoming young professionals and their furry friends into the office, and there is evidence it can actually improve a workspace. Dogs in the office are Read More...
Chick-fil-A workers deliver hundreds of sandwiches to drivers stranded on highway
Chick-fil-A is well known for its beloved chicken sandwiches. But now employees at a restaurant in Houston are getting attention for something way more important: helping out people in their community. As Tropical Depression Imelda wreaked havoc in parts of Texas last Thursday, many drivers Read More...
This startup is repurposing lifejackets to help refugee communities in the US
Today, a staggering 25 million refugees have been forcibly displaced from their homes as a result of conflict, persecution and other devastating factors beyond their control. In an effort to raise awareness about the plight of refugees across the world, a Minnesota-based apparel brand, called Read More...
Google strikes $2bn investment in renewables energy
As the world marches to ensure a safe and healthy climate for our planet, going green is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for companies to survive in the near future’s business environment. The latest evidence upholding this phenomenon comes from an announcement made by Google last week, Read More...
Ikea proves it is ethical and profitable to go green in business
Ikea has achieved a clean energy milestone this week, more than a year ahead of schedule. The furniture company will now produce more renewable energy from solar and wind farms than it consumes. The renewable energy comes from two large solar farms in the U.S. and a wind farm in Romania. Read More...
Daimler says bye to the internal combustion engine to focus on electric cars
After reigning in the auto industry as the powertrain of choice for a century, the internal combustion engine is finally dying. The beginning of the end is marked by the recent decision of German automotive company, Daimler, to stop developing internal combustion engines as part of its efforts Read More...
Barclays and Anthemis seek untapped innovation in female fintech startups
Women receive only a slim 2 percent of venture capital funds, but Anthemis and Barclays’, Female Innovator Lab, is looking to change this statistic. The New York-based group is looking to back female financial technology startups to level the playing field for female entrepreneurs. The group Read More...
Burger King UK will scrap plastic toys from its kids’ meals
With plastic pollution becoming one of the most pressing environmental issues of the modern age, lately, there has been increasing consumer pressure on fast-food chains to stop handing out plastic toys that come together with children’s meals. The latest fast-food restaurant to come to its Read More...
Social enterprise allows families in Zambia to make a living by harvesting honey
Here at the Optimist Daily, we praise and admire business ideas that come into being on grounds other than just making a profit. Take, for example, Martin Zuch – who, after discovering his spiritual side 10 years ago, decided to leave his job as a hedge fund manager and start a honey-making Read More...
The fix is in: how repairing old stuff helps in the war against planned obsolescence
It can be frustrating to repair something when it costs the same amount to replace it. But that’s how planned obsolescence works. Companies create poor quality products, so you are forced to pay to replace it. This trend has taken over the modern consumer’s life. From clothing to Read More...