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Learning Tree

Management Insights
Expert Advice from Todays Top Professionals
Four Steps to Remembering Names
Peter Dillon-Parkin, founder ABLE Solutions (UK) Ltd

Early in my career, while working for a major software house, I attended a trade fair where our new managing director and his team were to be introduced to the company employees. I was introduced to him at dinner, and we spent a good part of the evening discussing work and getting to know each other. After dinner, a member of the senior management team asked me a favour: Youre comfortable in front of an audience, he said, Would you mind introducing the new managing director for his presentation? A few minutes later, I was facing an auditorium of my fellow employees, expounding on market conditions, the need for leadership and preparing to introduce the new directorand thats when I had the blinding realisation that I had no idea what the directors name was! I blustered along for a few minutes while I formulated a cunning strategy. Winding up, I finished with, This new marketplace needs leadership, and over dinner tonight I was talking to the man who I am convinced has that leadership. Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for... our new managing director!

With that, I turned to the wings and started to vigorously applaud which, thank goodness, set off a considerable racket from the hall as the new director (whatever his name was) came striding towards me with a huge grin. He shook my hand, and as I walked offstage he started to address the hall Good evening! My name is... Having gotten out of that spot, I resolved never to be caught in that situation again. The problem with remembering names is easily explained: We have a very effective visual processor on the right side of our brain, but the auditory name processor is on the left side of our brain. When we meet people, it is often at busy social occasions and there can be lots of distractions. Our face processor gets extended exposure to what a new person looks like, but the persons name is often heard only once. We may be embarrassed to ask again for a name that we missed, but failing to do so just adds to the problem and risks the relationship with that client, co-worker, acquaintance or potential future customer! What is needed is a whole-brained memory solutionone that integrates the functions of the right and left sides. The following four steps for remembering names engage your whole brain in remembering a name.
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EDITION 031

Learning Tree

Management Insights
Expert Advice from Todays Top Professionals
Four Steps to Remembering Names Step 1: Get the name
Your goal at this first step is to hear the name out loud three times. So when you meet someone:

think of her favourite childhood Beatrix Potter character, Benjamin Bunny, twitching his ears to listen to fluttering butterflies.

Step 3: Use the name

Throughout a conversation, take opportunities to repeat a persons name:

Look at their face when they say their name for the first time Concentrate on listening to and recording their name in your mind Be friendly and smile to encourage the person to speak clearly and confidently
Repeat the name out loud. For example:

Jane could say: Yes, Ben, I do like holidays in Florida!

The other persons name should now begin to be fixed in your memory.

Step 4: Rehearse, Recite and Review

When meeting large numbers of people, it can be hard to find distinctive imagery for all of them or remember all the details. The Three Rs are the key to unlocking name and face pairings:

Jane was just introduced to Fred who gave his name. Even though Jane heard him the first time, she said: Your name is Fred Bloggs, right?
Once the name is repeated, say the name out loud to hear it for a third time. Use any excuse to say the name out loud again:

Rehearse the name Recite the name Review names at the end of the event by writing a list or drawing a mind-map of the people you met
If any name and face pairings remain unlinked, then pick these people out next time and reintroduce yourself:

Jane could say: Can I get you a drink, Fred?

Step 2: Associate the name with a meaningful reminder

Associate visual and auditory mnemonics to make a name memorable. Make quick, meaningful associations between faces and names, blending sensory and attractive visual and auditory images. Start with the eyes when locating distinguishing featureseyes are often distinctive. Then isolate a second physical trait that also differentiates the person from everyone else. Its preferable to not use a persons hair. People often change their hair (and clothes). Look for a permanent feature. Do all of this quickly, using the first things that come to mindthese are the things your brain accesses fastest. Upon meeting Ben, Jane immediately identifies two unique things:

After meeting six people, Jane returns to one person and says: Hi, Im Jane, and it was great meeting you yesterday at the party, but there were so many people Im afraid Ive forgotten your name
If you follow these four tips, youll be remembering names faster than you ever imagined, and youll immediately feel the benefits, both professionally and personally. And, of course, it may well help you avoid a potentially very embarrassing situation!

About the Author

Peter Dillon-Parkin is a business analyst, writer, instructor and founder of ABLE Solutions (UK) Ltd. ABLE Solutions provides training and consultancy for the public and private sectors. In addition, Peter has worked in the software, banking and media industries, and has provided training for NGOs and the military. He is the author of Learning Tree Course 219, Business and Report Writing Introduction, and Course 212, Building an Effective Business Case. Peter may be reached at pdillonp@googlemail.com

Jane notices that Ben has sharp, bright green eyes. She thinks immediately of emeralds: Bens eyes are as green as emeralds! As Jane speaks to Ben, his name causes her to

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