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.
Hospitality workers’ wages get unprecedented boost with 30% wage increases
In an unexpected turn of events, the hospitality industry, long associated with some of the lowest-paid occupations, is undergoing a wage revolution. Over the last four years, salary raises in the industry have pushed hospitality workers' wages up by almost 30 percent, a significant increase that Read More...
The power of skill-based hiring in building an equitable workforce landscape
In the world of job recruitment, a prevalent trend known as qualification inflation developed, turning hiring processes into a difficult landscape. Qualification inflation, also known as degree inflation, is the increasing demand for degrees and significant experience, to the point that job Read More...
From guerrilla fighters to beer brewers: former FARC members craft peace in every sip
In the center of Bogotá, La Trocha Brewery, an unexpected company started by former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) militants, is more than simply beer. It's a tribute to transformation, resilience, and a commitment to peace. Doris Suárez, co-founder of La Trocha, recounts the Read More...
Native Nations without reliable internet take broadband networks into their own hands
A major chunk of the Hopi Reservation's dry mesas in northeast Arizona is underserved by internet service. Hopi Telecommunications, which provides internet and telephone services in the area, is dealing with the restrictions of an out-of-date copper wire network. The company's service order Read More...
Soda taxes have a remarkable impact: sales plummet as prices rise in US cities
A recent study published in the journal JAMA Health Forum provides solid evidence that soda levies are beneficial in reducing sugary drink consumption. The study examines five U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, and Boulder, and finds a consistent decline in sales Read More...
The leading startups transforming CO2 into everyday wonders
For Stafford Sheehan, a cofounder and chemist at Air Company, perfume-making is more than simply creating an enticing scent. Air Company, established in New York, uses technology that transforms carbon dioxide into ethanol, which is then blended with essential oils and water to create the pale Read More...
Shaping tomorrow: Greece's progress toward same-sex marriage equality
In a historic move, Greece's center-right government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is poised to legalize same-sex civil marriage and adoption. Crucially, this progressive plan has received backing from the left-wing opposition, indicating a historic alliance. Stefanos Kasselakis, Read More...
UK announces groundbreaking 'Flee Funds' scheme for domestic abuse survivors
The UK Home Office is taking a significant step forward in the fight against domestic abuse by launching a £2 million (just over $2.5 million) program this month. The initiative, which aims to provide financial support to survivors of domestic abuse in England and Wales, is a light of hope for Read More...
Don Scott makes history as Virginia’s first Black house speaker
The Virginia General Assembly unanimously elected Democrat Don Scott as the new House speaker, marking a watershed moment for the state. Del. Scott's inauguration as the first Black speaker in the Virginia House of Delegates' 400-year history was met with shouts and a standing ovation across the Read More...
Sewage heat: Vancouver's steamy and sustainable energy source
Since 2010, an innovative energy program in Vancouver's False Creek has quietly transformed the city's energy landscape. This novel technology harnesses the latent heat in sewage effluent, converting it into a renewable heat source for nearly 6,000 apartments. Derek Pope, Vancouver's manager of Read More...