Play the Name Game - And WIN!

Unless you want one of your personal brand attributes to be ‘forgetfulness,’ you'll want to ensure that you remember people’s names. It’s a critical component of successful networking. I am one of those people who used to say "I always forget people’s names; it's impossible for me to remember.” But when I put my mind to it (literally) I amazed myself with my ability to recall names.

Here are some ways you can put your mind to it – and win the name game!

For common names:

• Come up with a standard image that represents each common name and make the image permanent in your mind. For example, visualize the image of a King’s crown for the name James and always associate the name James with this image. See the crown every time you hear the name James. Then, the next time you meet someone named James, picture him wearing a king’s crown while you shake his hand. I visualize a rolling pin for the name Martha. When I meet a Martha, even if we are in a business meeting, I picture her carrying a rolling pin. This takes a little time, but after you have cemented these images in your mind, it becomes very easy (and fun!).
• Connect them with someone else who has the same name. For example, when you meet someone named Samantha, immediately associate her with your friend or colleague who is also called Samantha.
• Repeat their name aloud when you are being introduced. Pleasure to meet you, Francis. And then use it during the conversation. “So, Francis, have you been coming to these meetings for a long time?” Then repeat it again when you or they leave the group. “Ciao Francis, I hope we get to talk more about this at the next meeting.”
• Say the name three times to yourself while you are shaking hands. With the one time you say it aloud, this makes four times you have already said their name.

For uncommon names:

• Ask about the origin of the name. “Wow, Rolo, that’s an interesting name. I think you are the first Rolo I’ve ever met. Is that a family name?”
• Compliment them on the originality of their names. “That’s fantastic, Darienne, you join the ranks of Oprah, Dido, Madonna and Tiger. Having such an uncommon name must make it easy for people to find you when they google you.”
• Ask them to spell their name. “Sinead, humm, how do you spell that?”

People love hearing the sound of their own names. With a little bit of practice, you can truly master the name game and flatter all the members of your professional network.

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