Today’s Solutions: January 11, 2025

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.

Blue Ful carbonated drink made from spirulina blue-green algae

This tasty blue soda has no food coloring and captures CO2

We’ve previously talked about the benefits of spirulina. Considered a superfood, blue-green algae have been touted for its high nutritional value. And although it has become popular as a supplement among wellness-focused people, the algae still hasn’t reached mainstream adoption.  That may Read More...

Soccer coach with kids on the field

4 ways to donate your time and show your community love

While financial donations can go a long way in providing help to someone, there are plenty of other ways to give back as well. Specifically, by donating your time! There’s always a need for volunteers, and depending on the organization, volunteer work can be something you do on a regular basis. Read More...

Path to reduce recidivism, yellow signs

New Justice Department rule seeks to reduce recidivism

Many of the 153,316 individuals currently incarcerated in federal and private facilities in the United States face lengthy sentences for nonviolent crimes. Upon release, most of these inmates will have significant difficulty finding work or a stable living, increasing their risk of returning to Read More...

Slow Down yellow road sign on blue sky with clouds background.

Why slowing down can help your hustle

We’re a culture obsessed with productivity, but are working fast and working smart the same thing? You can hustle your life away in pursuit of making it, but successful leaders and entrepreneurs know that slowing down is required to build the foundation for success. Slowing down can be the Read More...

Happy professional man in a suit carries clock instead of suitcase celebrating time off

Valuing employee mental health, this bank offers 3-months paid leave

Tom Blomfield, the founder of the British online bank Monzo, stepped down from his position and left the company in 2021 because of the mounting anxiety and stress he experienced while running the business during the pandemic. The bank responded to this development in a remarkable way. To Read More...

Happy father with daughter on his shoulders

New basic income pilot expands access to immigrant families

From boosting infant brain activity to generally improving people’s quality of life, there are many cases documenting the benefits of implementing guaranteed basic income programs. Inspired by the growing body of evidence about these benefits, a new pilot project in New Mexico will soon study its Read More...

two stacks of the green reusable pallets from the Pallet LOOP system

Reusable pallets make the UK construction industry greener

Wasted wooden pallets are a huge problem in construction. In the UK alone, the construction industry goes through 18 million wooden pallets every year (the production of which requires a total of 6,000 acres of forestry), and most of them are used only once!  At a time when it’s becoming Read More...

Strong black female entrepreneur CEO boss queen with natural hair stares authoritatively into camera

US Black businesses on the rise thanks to women entrepreneurs

At the beginning of the pandemic, between February and April 2020, Black business ownership in the US suffered a dramatic drop of more than 40 percent. According to a report from the House committee on small businesses, this was the largest drop experienced by any racial or ethnic group. Then, Read More...

Two cute Asian children sip on sugary drinks

Researchers propose sticking images of diseased organs on sugary drinks

Scientists from Harvard and the University of North Carolina had a thought—what if unhealthy, sugary snack items were coupled with photos similar to the ones we see on cigarette packs and tobacco? You know, instead of a blackened lung, a sugary beverage would also carry the image of a diseased Read More...

Person working happily, with colleagues talking in the background.

3 Ways to speak up at work when you’re naturally introverted

We recently provided our Optimist Daily readers with a guide on 'How to boost your confidence as an introvert' that was a big hit. So, here's another article for all you introverts out there focussing on work-life. There are distinct benefits to being both an extrovert and an introvert. But Read More...