How to remember someone's name

One of the most flattering things is when someone that you’ve only met once briefly remembers your name the next time you meet!

I must admit it’s not my biggest strength, but I’m working on it! I have a friend who I think must have a photographic memory for names. She probably doesn’t, but she is committed to remembering people’s names.

If you are dealing with customers (most of you are!), what a great impression would you make if you remember their names and how good would it make them feel!

I used to have an optometrist whom I visited only briefly twice a year to pick up contact lenses. I would come in and they would greet me with: ‘Hi Marijke!”. That would always impress me greatly and made me feel 'important’ as a customer.

On the other hand, there is someone I regularly deal with and this person never seems to recognise me. I might have a common face, but this makes me feel like this person is totally disinterested, even though we work in the same industry.

So my point is, don’t just say: “I’m terrible at remembering names…”, that’s just too easy. Work at it and it will make the people around you feel good about themselves and you! It creates goodwill and opens the door to successful relationships.

Here are a few tips:
1. Commit yourself to remembering names. Make it a conscious decision to remember people's names.
2. When you meet someone for the first time, concentrate on what the other person is saying and look at them. If you didn’t hear their name, ask again.
3. Repeat their name and use it occasionally during the conversion (without overdoing it!). Also use it when you leave.
4. If you can, write it down afterwards. You can always add a few pointers about their physical characteristics.
5. Try to make an association between the person's face and an image the name suggests. If you remember visual images most easily, try creating an image based on the name and linking it to some physical characteristic of the person. If you are more comfortable dealing with sensory feelings and gut instincts, try linking the name to the impression the person makes or to a reaction you have to the person.

So, try to make a conscious effort to learn people’s names, it makes them feel good and you too!

Till next week, Marijke

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