Networking can often seem like work when it means being in a room full of people you don’t know. There are numerous introductions, exchanging of business cards and smiling as you mingle in a room trying to remember the names and faces of the people you just met. One way to make networking more fun is to remember what Dale Carnegie said “ A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language”.
Here are a few ways to help you remember the names of the people you meet:
1. Make a commitment to learning people’s names. Once you do this, it becomes much easier to remember them. Don’t let yourself off the hook by saying you have a bad memory or senior or blond moments. Challenge yourself to remember as many names of the people you meet as
possible.
2. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. - When you are introduced to someone or you introduce yourself, use the person’s name as often as possible. As easy way to get in the habit of doing this is to use the name of people you see wearing name tags such as the grocery clerk or the person who waits on your in a restaurant. The more you hear a name, the more likely it is that you will be able to remember it.
3. Note this: Take notes after you meet someone and write down the person’s name and something you remember about them. If they gave you a business card, put a few notes on the back to help you remember them.
4. Practice makes perfect. Practice studying faces very discretely when you are introduced to someone. Look for an unusual feature, whether ears, hairline, forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, chin, complexion, etc. Create an association between that characteristic, the face, and the name in your mind. The association may be to link the person with someone else you know with the same name. Alternatively it may be to associate a rhyme or image of the name with the person's face or defining feature.
5. Concentration can make all the difference. You can only remember what you observe in the first place. Make eye contact with the person you are speaking with and pay attention. Listen to the person's name when you first hear it, and if you find that you have forgotten it or they are not wearing a name tag, simply say, "I'm sorry I missed your name. Can you give it to me again?" If you still have trouble with it, say, "I'm sorry, but would you spell that out for me?" The secret is to get a clear, detailed impression of the person. The more vividly you observe people's physical characteristics, the more likely you are to remember them. Use all of your senses to form the most striking impression possible.
6. Use the power of association. Try to make an association between the person's face and an image the name suggests. For example, if someone you meet has the name Amber and their hair color is amber blonde, you can associate the name and the hair color. Even if you can't create an image for the name, don't worry, just the process of trying to figure out an image that goes along with the name will reinforce your memory.
7. If you are more attuned to sounds, make a rhyme, associating the name with your impression of the person. Or link the person's name to a song lyric. For many who meet me, I tell them to remember the Beach Boys song, Help Me Rhonda and it works.
The point is simply that it takes time and energy to remember. It makes people feel important. It helps to create good will and can easily open the door to successful relationships.
In closing, the networking and remembering names can open many doors. Make it a practice to take every opportunity to remember the names of the people you meet and to use them. There is really is something to what is in a name.
Rhonda L Sher: The Sloganator Rhonda L Sher was born talking. She fell in love with words as a child and has never stopped communicating since. Her father once commented that she was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. Not only has Rhonda inherited her father's humor, but it's that quick wit that has become the signature that has helped propel her clients to stardom.Acclaimed Keynote and workshop leader, Rhonda has authored two books, "The 2 Minute Networker" and "The ABC's of LinkedIn," "Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out" as well as numerous action guides, articles, workbooks, jingles and corporate slogans.
In addition to writing, Rhonda uses her gift of gab as a featured keynote speaker, consultant and corporate trainer throughout North America. She has successfully taught hundreds of business men and women on the art of business networking and written hundreds of elevator pitches and slogans.Rhonda's greatest talent lies in her ability to create fabulously catchy slogans that are memorable, upbeat, easy to repeat and create instant brand identification. In addition to the books, audio and video, Rhonda creates slogans and taglines for her clients which are memorable, bring them business and make them, money. She works with you to create a corporate slogan for your business that sets you apart from your competition. Her creativity and energy will tap into your customer's mind and have your phone ringing off the hook with new business.
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