For a lot of people, work is little more than what has to be done in order to secure that pay check required to pay the bills and to buy the latest trend items.
For others however, it's much more than this - it is an opportunity to make a difference and to impact upon the community in which their work is based.
Such an attitude was recently exemplified in a CNN Money article entitled "Training staffers to become leaders: An urban retailer hires for the long haul".
The beneficial online PR that would have been generated for the business in question - urban clothes outlet Villa - is perhaps particularly fitting, for here is company that is getting something back for all that it has given out.
Villa chief executive Jason Lutz took over the company from his parents. Initially called Sneaker Villa, the business had just two stores that both focused on sporting goods.
Upon graduating college in 1995, Mr Lutz managed to convince his parents to open a third store in the areas downtown neighborhood, stocked with hip-hop items rather than the sports equipment associated with the existing outlets.
The new store was hugely successful. In less than 12 months the shop had brought in twice the combined revenue of the original two stores. Mr Lutz had come across a good thing.
However, rather than simply live off the new-found wealth generated by the company's fresh direction, he sought his riches from alternative sources - the community.
While there was little doubt concerning the money the local communities were pumping into the stores, Mr Lutz wanted to give something back.
All his employees are local kids who understand the customers' needs because they were once buyers themselves.
From here it's a knock-on effect. Loyalty is rewarded with extra training and responsibility, the possibility of promotion and higher wages. This encourages more local kids to get involved in earning an honest living - often with Villa.
The company employs 107 full-timers and 200 part-time staff.
Of the company's general attitude and plans, Mr Lutz said: "We can only reach so many people directly, so we try to build strong leaders at the stores who can pass their knowledge on.
"Our goal is to leverage the brand to create local jobs, keep local dollars close to home and help people connect with positive community resources. The shoes and clothes just provide a cool entry point."
What's more, the company turned over nearly $40 million in 2008.
Sometimes - even in business – it pays to be the nice guy.
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