Campbell Soup had a great leader, Doug Conant, who pushed his team to create a higher purpose in the business than just financial results.
I was fortunate enough to work with Doug Flynn at Flynn roofing who made the business of the outside covering of a building enormously fun.
Getting your staff to jump out of bed in the morning to work at what they believe to be worthwhile work is possible. By showing the bigger purpose of the company, employees realize they are contributing to their community more than just with dollar amount of units sold.
My seasonal shopping experience opened my eyes to the difference enthusiastic sales people can make. This year, The Running Room sales people amazed me with their interest in helping me select surprising gift ideas. My brother is an avid runner with lots of kit, yet The Running Room put together a gift basket with little products quite alien to me - like gloves that heat up with perspiration and little plastic pouches of energy goo. Thanks Running Room!
Read more at Harvard Business Review about how Doug Conant used positive feedback to reinforce the right behaviour.