Forgetting names

I was with prospects today and I forgot their names.

What do "you" do in that situtation?

What do "you" do to remember names?

I'm listening closely...My 6-yr old son was invited over to a new friend's house to swim today. I've met this mother 3 times. She remembered my name (or else looked it up in the school directory) and of course, I could not remember her name.

There is nothing more pathetic than someone who is in the people business trying to manipulate her 6 yr old in a clever scheme to discover his friend's mother's name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

There is nothing more pathetic than someone who is in the people business trying to manipulate her 6 yr old in a clever scheme to discover his friend's mother's name.

That happened to me last night. I went to my child's school for orientation and bumped into her friends father. After I rattled off a few potentials she gave me the name and crusty look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklin

I was with prospects today and I forgot their names.

What do "you" do in that situtation?

Punt! (just kidding)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklin

What do "you" do to remember names?

I use the prospects name as soon as possible and several times.

Where possible I also write down the prospects name just in case.

I've tried all those memory tricks, and it never worked for me. Guess I'm just not quick enough to think up some code like seeing a rabbit on someone's head. By the time I've gone through all that, I forget what the rabbit was supposed to signify.

So, I kinda do the same thing as Sales Guy. Only, sometimes I can't figure out a way to use their name without it sounding like I'm memorizing it. So, I will repeat the name over and over to myself if there is no natural way to work it into the conversation.

Then, if I'm at a meeting, I usually have a notepad with me, so I'll write the date, company name, and attendees names on the pad. It looks like I'm going to take a lot of notes, but even if I don't, at least I have the names.

Kathleen

I guess I'm in good company.

I'd better start writing people's names down or this could get ugly.

When I want to remember a name I use it in my conversation immediately. Sometimes I even ask them to spell it for me. Many times I write the name down on my paperwork.

I would just ask if they had a business card that I could have. Asking them to spell it is okay, unless they say something like "you don't know how to spell Tim Smith!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc MC

I would just ask if they had a business card that I could have. Asking them to spell it is okay, unless they say something like "you don't know how to spell Tim Smith!"

On a similar note, when I'm writing a purchase contract and I've forgotten a name I simply ask them for their drivers license. This not only solves the mystery name issue but also makes it easier to filling out the contract which also requires their address.

Franklin, my advice is to form the belief that remembering names is an "important" part of your responsibilities.

Everyone forgets a name once in a while. It happens. A "habit" of failing to remember names, in my opinion, indicates either a learning challenge or a mental belief that forgetting names isn't that important. Usually it's the later.

Forgetting names

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