The economic activity that I am closest to is my work. From my perspective the purpose of going to work is to earn money so that I am in a position to buy what I need for me and my immediate family. I need to be able to pay for shelter, food, clothing, health and education. I need to be able to pay taxes due and a range of other charges that are part of modern economic life.

I would like my workplace conditions to be safe. I would like my work to be enjoyable and satisfying and the work to have worth, that is, be of value to the company's customers. I would like the company I work for to be doing good for society rather than doing damage. But all of this is secondary to my need for wages so that I have the money to buy what my family needs.

I know my company has to make a profit to stay in business and for me to keep my job ... but profit is not the only thing. If the company stays in business, not only do I have a job, but my family is funded, and the place we live has money circulating in it so that other local businesses have customers. The multiplier is bigger than my salary by a factor of somewhere between 2 and 10.

If the company has embraced sustainability, the use of resources and the various wastes associated with its activities will have been optimized so that there is the minimum of value destruction for the planet. This may cost more than old fashioned wasteful practices, but better for the planet.

If the company uses comprehensive value accounting, there is a likelihood that decisions will be optimized for people, place, profit and planet.