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.
Companies that do well do better
Need another reason to back climate change initiatives? Here’s one: It makes companies stronger. A recent report tracked S&P 500 companies for three years and found that organizations that had a plan for climate change, like emissions risk management policies, greenhouse gas reduction goals, Read More...
This dealer knows how to sell electric cars
Electric cars are becoming more popular for obvious, good reasons. Still their sales figures are marginal. This year 0.25 percent of all cars sold in Canada are electric. But at Bourgeois Chevrolet, an hour North of Montreal electric cars make up 35 percent (!) of total sales. There are no special Read More...
Tackling Indian poverty through job creation
One of the problems with charity is that it doesn’t address the root of a problem—people not being able to support themselves. In India, and around the world, a new form of business employs those who would normally receive charity to make consumer and other goods, so they can be Read More...
North of France declares itself a hub for social enterprise
Northern France is mostly known for old heavy industries and agriculture—not as place of social innovation. But that’s about to change. Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winner and social business pioneer, Muhammad Yunus, this region of France has declared itself “a hub for social enterprise”. Read More...
Impact investing: A socially conscious market
The wake of the 2008 financial crisis has left many skeptical of the ethical practices that drive our banks and investment institutions. The better answer is called: Impact investing According to this new model the social ramifications of business are as important as the quarterly profits figures. Read More...
Impact investing: socially responsible business
When it comes to traditional business everything boils down to dollars and cents. Success is judged by profit, failures make no money and winners make lots of it. But in the 21st century business isn’t just about profit anymore, people care about how you treat your workers, if your company Read More...
Entrepreneurs belong. That’s why they are happier.
Why do people start their own business? Why is entrepreneurship so appealing to many? According to magazine for entrepreneurs Inc. the key element of entrepreneurship is relationships. Strong relationships are a major aspect of building a successful business. Connections are bonded that seldom Read More...
Anyone can be an Estonian e-citizen
In a bold move that is a huge step towards a more open global market system, Estonia has now made it possible for anyone to open a bank account or start a business there without being physically present—though you will have to take a visit to get fingerprinted and prove you’re a real person. Read More...
How to get the most out of life while living with less
Reprinted from the book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. Copyright 2014 by Greg McKeown. Published by Crown Business, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company. The Greeks had a word, metanoia, that refers Read More...
Healthier way of cooking coming to the developing world
Every year 4.3 million people die prematurely from illnesses caused by indoor air pollution. One third of the global population burns solid material for heating and cooking—the byproduct of this is toxic smoke inhaled by the home’s inhabitants. GreenChar is an initiative that just launched in Read More...