In the Business World...

Remembering Names is Key

You can’t continue to make excuses and apologize to people if you forgot their names. If you tell yourself you’re terrible with names, you’re always going to be terrible - it's a self fulfilling prophecy. Moreover, if you apologize to people, you only remind them that you’re terrible! If you forget the name, you can forget the sale!

There's no better way to convey that someone is important to you than remembering his or her name. A few time-tested tricks can help.

Always repeat the name as you're introduced. When someone introduces herself to you, your appropriate response should be: "Hi Lara Hall. I'm Tory Johnson, and it's nice to meet you." Try to say the first name a few more times in a conversation, and definitely repeat it as you're wrapping up. If it's a difficult name, don't be shy about asking how to spell it or even the origin.

Association is a key tool in memorization. Do you know someone else with the same name? Is there a characteristic of the person you can identify with the name? Some examples include short Sally, long-haired Harriet, or freckled Jane. Try to form a picture in your mind of the person, a defining trait (gorgeous gray hair, dazzling green eyes, or long, lovely nails) and envision their name over the image.

Don’t tell yourself that you can’t remember names! Once you have made the decision to go out of your way to remember them, it will only be easier to acquire and master the skill.