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.
How the blockchain could usher in a future of shared mobility
Cars sit idle most of the time, but thanks to the decentralized blockchain system that supports cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, people can safely and easily monetize their vehicles while they’re not using them. An example of this is Turo, a new peer-to-peer car rental marketplace that currently Read More...
In a massive change of heart, Uber is adding a tipping option
The new Uber starts with tips. The ride-hailing company said today that it is rolling out a tipping option for rides and UberEats, its food delivery app, beginning in Seattle, Minneapolis, and Houston. Riders can choose from pre-set tip amounts (in dollars) or input a custom value. All of that Read More...
How Uber and Airbnb became poster children for the disruption economy
Also in town for the festivities were two other hustling San Francisco startup jockeys, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp. They had used a website to find more comfortable accommodations, but on Inauguration Day they couldn’t get a cab and had to sprint miles in the wicked cold to get to the mall Read More...
A digital nomad can start a product line without funding
The Internet makes it easy to sell your talents. More and more people are discovering the freedom and the opportunities of becoming a “digital nomad”. But even if you don’t know (yet) what experience or skills you have to offer, you can create your own line of products. You may not have a Read More...
Why Google, Nike, and Apple love mindfulness, and how you can love it too
Meditation is now mainstream. From Just Meditate in Bethesda, MD to Unplug Meditation in Los Angeles, drop-in studios are popping up everywhere to give people the time and space to drop everything and breathe. The most popular Meditation app, Insight Timer, is home to more than 2 million meditators Read More...
U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey shows support for sharing economy
Just 10 years ago, the idea of leaving your home for a long trip meant you were paying for something you wouldn’t use. Your car would sit in the garage, your apartment or house would sit empty, and you’d still be responsible for utilities. On the off chance you had a friend or relative in town, Read More...
AirBnB launches platform that connects refugees with open homes
To help people around the world facing displacement, AirBnB is launching a platform that will help people automatically with organizations with available rooms. The platform is called Open Homes, and it's designed to connect organizations seeking short-term stays for refugees and volunteers Read More...
CrowdJustice, a Kickstarter for court cases, expands from the UK to the US
From board games to medical bills, crowdfunding campaigns powered by online platforms have raised huge amounts of money over the last decade. CrowdJustice, a startup founded in the UK, is trying to carve out a niche for itself in the world of legal battles. Its users have taken cases to the Supreme Read More...
China's 'sharing economy' is booming. But can it last?
Fancy shooting some hoops, but don't have a basketball? Caught in the rain with no umbrella? Smartphone run out of juice? China's rapidly expanding "sharing economy," which already provides car rides and bicycle hire on demand, can help. For just 2 yuan ($0.30) an hour, Nate Liu, a student at the Read More...
Entire country of Sweden listed on Airbnb
In an inspired publicity stunt, Sweden has listed its entire country on Airbnb, advertising the fact that all public land in the country is freely accessible to anyone. The Airbnb listing initially highlights nine specific locations that travelers can visit. Each listing costs nothing, contains Read More...