You sit down with four couples, eight people, and do your presentation. In two hours, you expect at least half of them to write you a check for $3,000. You dang well better re
member their names – and the names of their kids, their pets, and the cars they drive.
“Being able to remember names is a valuable asset in both the business and social arenas,” says Kate Lorenz at careerbuilder.com. “It helps you build instant rapport with new contacts, and, as many companies place a premium on interpersonal and relationship-building skills, it makes a decidedly good impression on employers, too.”
Lorenz offers seven tips to increase your ability to recall names.
Be interested
Pay attention as you are introduced.
Verify
Asking what they prefer will not only cement the name in your mind, but ensure you are using the name that pleases them.
Picture the name written across their forehead
Imagine seeing the name written across the person's forehead, in your favorite marker color.
Imagine writing the name
Write the name by moving your finger in micro-muscle movements as you are seeing the name and saying it to yourself.
Relate the name
Try to associate a person's name with a familiar image or famous person.
Use it frequently
Try to use the name three or four times during your conversation.
Record the name in a "new contacts" file
Keep a record of new contact names and information, including where and when they met.
