Networking Information

10 Effective Ways to Remember Names


Sigmund Freud says "a person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten." Feelings of embarrassment and social ineptitude are conveyed through this forgetfulness, and unfortunately, the problem persists daily. The ability to remember names is an important skill that gives you an advantage in social and business settings. However, the way you associate and remember names is based on your learning style and personality type.

The following list of ten effective ways to remember names combines visual, aural and strategic techniques. Once you find the best fit for you, it will become easier to avoid muttering the most awkward and impersonal sentence in the English language: "Hey you!"

Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
As soon as you hear their name, repeat it back to the person. "It's good to finally meet you, Karen-I hear you're the expert on mufflers."
If you don't do this, you will forget her name within ten seconds of meeting her. Also be sure to repeat the name aloud in the beginning, during and at the end of the conversation. This will allow you to widen various areas of your memory circuit.
"That's a great story Stephanie!" "Wow Tony, you obviously know your hockey." If you speak the name, hear the name, and listen to yourself say the name, you will remember it.

Inquiry
The number one rule in interpersonal communication is to show a genuine interest in the other person. So, ask your new colleague to explain the personal significance of their name. Ask if they go by a nickname. Inquire about the culture from which their name was derived. The spelling question is also effective. Even if Dave or Bob is only spelled one way you can always ask if they prefer "Dave," "David," "Bobby" or "Robert."

In so doing, you show them you care about them as a person. You also transform their name from an arbitrary fact into a meaningful representation of them. Ultimately, you will flatter them and make them feel appreciated.

Dramatize Faces
You probably remember faces better than you remember names. Great! This will only make it easier when you dramatize someone's face and associate facial feature with their name. For example, if their nose or hair is particularly memorable, make a connection using alliteration with their name. Brian has bright red hair. Lucy has a long nose.

The trick is to make your associations and dramatizations memorable and interesting. Remember, that which is exaggerated and ridiculous is memorable.

Forget About You
"Did I give him the 'cold fish' handshake?" "Did I even look into her eyes?" "Do you think she noticed the logo on my company briefcase?" If you try too hard to make a good first impression, odds are you will have no idea to whom you make a good first impression to!

So don't think about yourself! Forget about you! Concentrate on them. When you become too self-conscious and nervous during the moment of introduction, it will interfere with your memory.

Write Them Down
If you are a visual learner, write down the name of the person. This is a flawless method to remember. Most networking functions and meetings take place where tables, pens and paper are available.

Throughout the conversation, look down at the name in front of you, and then look at the person. Maria. Then look at the name again. Maria. Then look at the person again. Maria. You'll never forget.

The additional benefit when you do this, unbeknownst to you, is that at least one other person in your group will see you write the name down. Talk about a good first impression!

Inner Monologue
Imagine you've already used Samantha's name during the conversation. You seem to have it committed to memory. Then again, you don't want to overuse her name aurally. Even if a person's name is the sweetest sound they will ever hear, you don't want to make it too obvious that you use the repetition trick.

Fortunately, there are countless opportunities during the conversation to quickly say the name to yourself while you look at their face: while they get a pen, while they take a drink, while they get something out of their desk, while they laugh at your hilarious joke.

It only takes a few seconds to look at someone and silently think to yourself, "Samantha. Samantha. Samantha." Don't worry; you won't miss anything if you choose to do this at the appropriate times.

Introduce Someone Else
"Have you met my coworker Patty?" you ask the nameless person. "I don't believe I have," he says, "My name is Roger. It's nice to meet you Patty." Roger. That's his name! You thought it was Antonio! Thank God you introduced him to someone else or you would be floating up the eponymous creek.

Furthermore, if you introduce someone you just met to another person, it allows you to: take control of the conversation, show your willingness to encourage connections and expand someone else's network of colleagues.

Listen and Look for Name Freebies
More often than not, you won't be the only person who knows the name of your new colleague. This means that other people will say their name, and you will be reminded. No charge. All you have to do is pay attention.

Also remember to keep your eyes open for subtle, visual reminders such as business cards, receipts, nametags, jewelry, table tents and personal papers. Without getting too nosey, it will be easy to identify these "name freebies" that paint you out of your memory corners.

These ten effective techniques to remember names will be helpful to cross the chasm between you and a potential colleague or associate. When you identify and amplify someone's name, you won't suffer a loss of face. Ultimately, your interactions and conversations will become more personal and comfortable.

Practice. Practice. Practice. That's the hard part. But over time you will learn how these different techniques for name memory will work best for you.

Attitude. Attitude. Attitude. That's the easy part. However, while practice enhances your name memory over time, it only takes a few seconds to decide to change your attitude. Don't yourself that you can't remember names. In fact, from this moment on, you are no longer bad with names. Combine this new attitude with your recently acquired skills, and you'll never have to say "Hey you!" again.

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

Coaches deal with athletes' social networking
Rocky Mountain News, CO - 6 hours ago
But if social networking is the future of college recruiting, log the Wyoming football coach in. “It’s not anything we’ve done here, but regarding ...


ABC News

Hackers using fake YouTube pages to attack computers
AFP - Oct 9, 2008
A deceptive YouTube attack evolving as it spreads on the Internet is part of a growing trend of hackers to prowl popular online social networking ...
Hackers using YouTube, social networking to spread viruses TECH.BLORGE.com
Criminals use the Internet too Salon
Fake YouTube pages used to spread viruses The Associated Press
RedOrbit - ShortNews.com
all 68 news articles


CNET News

The Bell Now Tolls for Social Networks
New York Times, United States - 23 hours ago
No longer was it possible to argue that one day social networking sites would be anywhere near as good at making money as they were at expanding, ...
Facebook founder: Mark Zuckerberg BBC News
Facebook's priority is growth not profit Telegraph.co.uk
Zuckerberg To Investors: Suck It! Wired News
TECH.BLORGE.com - CNET News
all 10 news articles


The South Florida Interactive Marketing Association Hosts 5th ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 10 hours ago
The South Florida Interactive Marketing Association (SFIMA) will host the 5th annual Nautical Networking Event on November 7, 2008 aboard the 170-foot yacht ...


Have you been poked lately?
MiamiHerald.com, FL - 11 hours ago
This is an advice column for social networking etiquette as it relates to the working world. For the record, poking is a virtual way of getting someone's ...


IT spending set to cross $12 billion in Gulf
Gulf Daily News, Bahrain - 14 hours ago
In line with its aims to leverage the soaring IT sector, NETGEAR, a worldwide provider of technologically advanced and branded networking products, ...


Social Networking and UC - One Vendor's Perspective
ITworld.com, MA - Oct 10, 2008
Linking social networking to UC has generated some interesting conversations. Some of my points have been validated and others refuted. ...


CNET News

Sprint launches Xohm 4G WiMAX network in Baltimore
infoSync World, Norway - Oct 8, 2008
By Philip Berne, 8 October 2008 Sprint today took the wraps off its Xohm wireless network in Baltimore, Md. Xohm, which uses Samsung WiMAX technology on the ...
Sprint Firm on WiMAX Despite ... InternetNews.com
all 101 news articles


The Co-operative Financial Services launches 'goodwithmoney ...
1888 Press Release (press release), TX - 16 hours ago
The Co-operative financial services have released there new good with money blog Designed to highlight financial ethics. Co-op explains what they aim to ...


Long-shot candidate taps social networking sites to broaden his appeal
Virginian Pilot, VA - Oct 10, 2008
By Lon Wagner He's up against Meyera Oberndorf, the 20-year incumbent who's got name recognition spilling out of her high-top red Converses. ...

Networking - Google News

home | site map
© 2006