Have you been in this situation before? You go to a workshop or conference and you are introduced to several new people at once. Your boss goes like this; ‘This is Mr Melance Byarugaba, Mrs Peace Uwimana and Dr Shanice Ineza.’ You look at all the faces and you find that you cannot remember any of the names that have just been said to you. All you can mumble in reply is "glad to meet you or pleased to make your acquaintance.” You are not alone. We have all been there. This article will help ensure that next time you are introduced to someone, you will recall their names and even other details about them. Everybody wants to feel that they are important and recalling their name correctly is a very important aspect.

First of all, you need to take an interest in the people that are being introduced to you.  Looking at them for about 10 seconds will enable you to note something special about them that you could link to their names.  Some people have distinct markings like scars or birthmarks that can easily aid your memory of their names. For instance, Shanice could have nice eyes, so your memory can store that Shanice is the one with the nice eyes.

Adding sound will consolidate the memory even further. When each person’s name is said, repeat it immediately. As you do so, your brain gets a chance to register the name and to start processing it into the long term memory. Create an association with the name which will trigger you to remember it in future. Use every opportunity to use their name in the conversation for example: ‘Mr. Byaruhanga, how is business in Kigali?’ This also gives you the opportunity to listen and get more aspects of the person, for instance, they may speak with an accent so you can associate Byaruhanga with his French accent.