WhatsHisName & WhatsHerFace

I think I meet a new person nearly every day. Sometimes not just "A" person, but multiple people. Groups. Men. Women. Foreign. American. Among all the meeting and greeting and hand shaking that goes on in our lives, a name is often lost in the mix. You stand, shake hands and introduce yourself. You listen and then you forget. Minutes later while talking to a co-worker, you are nonchalantly trying to weasel in this question..."yeah, you know...what's his name again?" Then you follow that up with the fake "oh that's right, how could I forget." The truth is, you forgot. And you're embarrassed to admit that truth. You know, just like you forgot old whatsherface. It happens. We all do it, some more than others. It's not a good thing, but now there is help! I'm going to help you eliminate "whatshisname" and "whatsherface" from your vocabulary by giving you some tips to help you remember that nameless face. With a little luck and a little effort on your part, following my tips just might help you save face as well.

Being able to remember names is a valuable asset in both business and social arenas. It helps you build an instant rapport with new contacts. Many companies place a premium on interpersonal and relationship-building skills, so name recalling makes a decidedly good impression on employers too. In you personal life, if you forget a girl's name, you might as well forget the 2nd date. They say (there is that infamous "they" again) first impressions are important. Although that may be true, first impressions aren't everything, but they sure as hell count for something! So if you can't even get the name straight, then things are not looking good for you my friend. Now let me help you fix that...

Be Interested:
Depending on the person you are meeting, this can be easier said than done. This rule however is simple. If someone interests you, you will WANT to remember their name and much about them. This rule is very true for me. If you spark my interest, I will be very attentive and it will show.

Verify It:
Unless the person has introduced himself to you, verify what he or she wishes to be called - a more formal or informal version of the name they like to go by.

Picture It Written On Their Forehead:
Franklin Roosevelt would imagine seeing the name written across the person's forehead. This is a particularly powerful technique if you visualize the name written in your favorite color of Magic Marker. I pick red.

Imagine Writing It:
To take step 3 further, neural linguistic programming experts suggest getting a feel for what it would be like to write the name. Move your finger in micro-muscle movements as you are seeing the name and saying it to yourself. The REAL trick is not to look crazy doing this!

Use Word Association:
Try to connect a person's name with a familiar image or famous person. Example...my name is David. So just think of David vs Goliath when you think of me. (kidding)

Use It Frequently:
Try to use the name 3-4 times during your conversation. Use it when you first meet, when you ask a question and in your departure.

Record The Name In A "New Contacts" File:
Top sales reps keep a record of new contact names and information, including where and when they met. Review it now and then, especially when you will be attending a conference or meeting where you may see these individuals again.

If these tips don't help you cement names like Joe Blow into your thick head, then I suggest you ask every new person you meet to wear a nametag around you for the rest of their natural born lives. Or, you can just call everyone "dude" to keep it simple. It's an enduring universal nickname right? Oh how the ladies will swoon when you call them dude. The song "Dude Looks Like A Lady"...there is a reason that was written - duh.