I know you've run into those companies do not have a clue that this datum even exists. These are web hosting firms that do not return support requests (and sometimes even requests for quotations), free hosts which shut off accounts that have more than a dozen page views and email providers who delete emails with minimal notice.

These are grocery stores with incredibly long lines, yet there are registers closed and workers loafing. These are consulting firms that charge for every single thing (rounded up to hour, of course), yet never seem to be there when you need them. And these are those that only allow returns within a week, exchanges only, with receipt and a little begging thrown in.

Then there are those corporations which mouth words, yet seem to have misunderstandings on what they mean. This is huge company which creates licensing contracts which require an advanced degree in law and an ancient Latin dictionary to decipher. The massive, 184KB long privacy policy put out by another company comes to mind. This also includes auto maker who refuses to acknowledge placement of their gas tanks kills people, and tire maker who will not admit their tires are unsafe.

And sometimes, very occasionally, you will run across a company which knows exactly what it means to say "the customer is king". This includes most fantastic auto maker of them all - Saturn. These people know how to run a company. I've owned two Saturns, and both ran perfectly. The dealer fixed problems under warranty on several occasions even though warranty had run out. When they took too long on a completion estimate for service, they did work for free. And on every visit to service department, they have given me soda and snacks for free and went to great pains to ensure that I was happy and satisfied. And you know what, I have bought two Saturns and I know that my next car will be one as well.

It's one thing some of wealthiest people on planet have done and are doing.

It's one thing written about in various ancient cultures and still promoted today.

It's one thing that will bring money to anyone who does it but at same time most people will fear doing it.

What is that one thing?

John D. Rockefeller did it since he was a child. He became a billionaire.

Andrew Carnegie did it, too. He became a tycoon.

What is greatest money-making secret in history?

What is one thing that works for everyone?

Give money away.

That's right. Give it away.

Give it to people who help you stay in touch with your inner world.

Give it to people who inspire you, serve you, heal you, love you.

Give it to people without expecting them to return it, but give it knowing it will come back to you multiplied from some source.

In 1924 John D. Rockefeller wrote to his son and explained his practice of giving away money. He wrote, "...in beginning of getting money, away back in my childhood, I began giving it away, and continued increasing gifts as income increased..."

Did you notice what he said? He gave away more money as he received more income. He gave away $550 million dollars in his lifetime.

P.T. Barnum gave money away, too. As I wrote in my book on him, "There's A Customer Born Every Minute," Barnum believed in what he called a "profitable philanthropy." He knew giving would lead to receiving. He, too, became one of world's richest men.

Andrew Carnegie gave enormously, too. While some might argue that these early tycoons had money to give, so it was easy for them, I would argue that they got money in part because they were willing to freely give. The giving led to receiving. The giving led to more wealth.

Today it's fashionable for businesses to give money to worthy causes. It makes them look good and of course it helps those who receive it. Anita Roddick's Body Shop stores, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield's ice cream, and Yvon Chouinard's Patagonia, are living examples of how giving can be good for business.

But what I'm talking about here is individual giving. I'm talking about you giving money so you will receive more money.