Memory tips: How to remember someone's name

Memory tips come in handy when networking, especially when it comes to remembering someone's name. It's flattering to someone when you remember their name, and it helps you put them in your mental database of contacts.


Here are six tips to help you remember someone's name:



1. Repetition, repetition, repetition. When first introduced, repeat your new acquaintance's name. First, repeat it directly. "It's nice to meet you, Tom. How do you do?" Then repeat it twice during the course of your conversation. Using their name while conversing will help cement it into your memory—but don't overdo it, or you'll seem odd.


2. Association/Mnemonics. Anchor their name to a particular feature. In your mind, a simple "Tom" might become "Tom with the eyebrows," "Tom wearing blue," or "Tom with the crazy hair." Next time you see them, that feature will remind you of their name.


3. Rhyme it. Try making a simple rhyme out of their name. This can be as silly as you like because, remember, it only needs to make sense to you. Tom could be "Tom went to the prom."


4. Ask someone else. If you forget, discreetly ask a mutual friend. You needn't be embarrassed. It's far better to do this than to call them by the wrong name.


5. Introduce them to someone else. Introduce your new acquaintance to a friend to prompt them to give their own name: "Have you met Peter? He's a good friend of mine from the polo club." Hopefully they will introduce themselves, giving you the opportunity to hear their name again.


6. Just ask. If all else fails, simply ask them again. Politely say, "I'm terribly sorry, I've forgotten your name." Everyone forgets names from time to time, so don't be embarrassed, and don't make a big deal of it.

How to be a good intern: Nine tips for the successful intern

Internships are a great way to test the waters of a particular field or company. Internships are also a great way to network and make contacts in your field. Plus, internship experience is great resume fodder. More and more organizations consider internships an integral part of career development, sometimes even more so than other summer jobs.


Last week, I wrote about the importance and value of internship programs and how to run an effective one. This week, I want to offer some tips on how to make the most of your internship and how to be a good intern.

If you are entering an internship, here are some tips to make it worthwhile:

•Take your internship seriously—even if your employer doesn’t.

•Dress for success. Try not to look like an intern. Rather, dress as if you already belong there. Dress like you already have the job.

•Think of your internship as a 12-week interview. Stay focused and be professional.

•Be clear about your personal and professional goals for the internship.

•Find out about the company’s goals and find ways to meet them.

•Request meaningful work. Volunteer to work on big projects.

•Make connections. Network and socialize with colleagues and other interns. Take the time to really get to know a wide assortment of colleagues.

•Show appreciation. Write thank you notes and send emails.

•Stay in touch! Follow up with the company.

Summer interns: How to run an effective intern program

Interns can bring new energy and knowledge about the latest technologies into the workplace, and a solid intern program can be an incredibly valuable and important business tool. Summer usually sees an influx in interns, and managing them can pose a unique set of challenges. But with a little effort, you can ensure that your company’s intern program is valuable, effective, and worthwhile, for everyone.

A great internship program covers four elements:

1. Clear goals and purposes. Determine what you want to get out of the program. What are the goals and purposes? What do we want to get out of it? Is it recruiting and training new talent? Hiring cheap summer help? Marketing our company?

2. Structure and strategies to meet those goals. Structure and strategies to meet those goals: How are we meeting these goals? How and where are we recruiting? How are we onboarding, evaluating and tracking the program?

3. Management support and buy-in. Are the right people involved? Are the managers of the interns on board with the program? Do they understand the goals? Do they have the proper training and resources to create valuable experiences for both the organization and the interns?

4. The experience of the interns. Are we providing the interns with a valuable experience for them and for company? Did we meet their expectations? Did they have the experience that we promised in our recruiting? Would they recommend our organization to other interns or prospective employees? Remember, your interns are not just free workers or potential employees; they will also be broadcasting their opinions about your organization. So make sure they say the right things.

Great intern programs all have one thing in common: the organization takes it seriously. Great programs require a great deal of work, thought and follow through. Many organizations just kind of slap them together, but this is a mistake. Here are three common mistakes companies make and how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: Not ensuring your managers are in alignment with the program goals. It is often challenging for managers to take on the additional responsibilities of an intern, but the people managing the interns are key to your program’s success. Make sure you choose the right people to work with the interns, have trained them properly, and that they are on board with the program’s goals.

Mistake 2: Not providing meaningful work or professional development for your interns. This is not about simply fetching coffee; it’s about introducing young adults to the workplace in general and your company in particular. They want to feel they have made a meaningful contribution and they want to learn, so give them something real to do.

Mistake 3: All flash and no fire. This is when organizations spend the summer wining, dining, and schmoozing their interns instead of actually seeing if they would be a good match for the organization. Law firms are notorious for this. They throw boatloads of money at the summer associates trying to lure them. Sounds great, but they aren’t really getting much for their money—research shows that there isn’t much correlation between the money spent and the retention it inspires, and lots of firms are rethinking this practice. Find a way to make the internship meaningful to both parties.

Starting your own business: Six things to consider

Thinking of starting your own business? In part one of my three-part entrepreneur series for News Channel 8's "Let's Talk Live," I discuss with host Melanie Hastings the six things you absolutely must consider before leaping into entrepreneurship:

Summer office attire: Nine tips on dressing appropriately while still keeping your cool

When the heat and humidity strike, so does the temptation to dress down at the office. This is a big no-no. Whether it’s January or July, the rules are the same: You should always look professional, you should always look like you belong, and you should always be appropriately attired for your work environment.

At all times, even in 90-degree heat and humidity, your attire says everything about you. Does your look say, I’m gong to a luau or I’m ready for business? Here’s how to keep your cool without undermining your attire—and integrity—at the office:


1. Understand your corporate culture. What are the expectations for summer attire? What does HR say? Look around at the senior staff members—how are they attired? A suit and tie may be required year round. Sleeveless for ladies may be a no-no. Find out what is expected at your office and follow suit.


2. Lighten up. Put away the heavy fabrics and colors and lighten up, literally. Think linen, cotton, and silk, rather than tweeds, wools, and blends. Choose lighter colors, too.


3. Choose the right dress for success. For the ladies, sundresses are perfectly appropriate in the summertime as long as they are cut conservatively and paired with a sweater or jacket. Sleeveless may or may not be appropriate, but revealing spaghetti straps is not. Dresses should fall at or below the knee. As always, you should never show any cleavage.


4. Ugly toes are a no-no. Open-toed shoes may or may not be appropriate at your work; again, look around and see what senior staff wear or check with HR. If open toes are permissible, be sure your feet are well groomed. Ugly toes are an absolute no-no. Pedicures are a must, and make sure you choose a conservative color.


5. Professionals never wear flip-flops. In the summer, the temptation arises to slide little things in. A flip-flop here, a tank top there, a little more skin overall. Don’t do it. Here is what professional men and women never wear, even when it’s 100 degrees outside: Flip-flops, midriff-baring shirts, tank or halter tops, spaghetti straps, mini skirts, low-cut shirts or blouses, see-through blouses, jeans, short-sleeved shirts with ties, Hawaiian shirts.

And don’t buy-in to what fashion magazines say—shorts are never appropriate for the office. It doesn’t matter how tailored they are, shorts are not suitable for work. Furthermore, if you are a professional workingwoman, your bra strap should never be exposed. In fact, if you are having trouble finding a bra for a particular shirt or outfit for work, you are wearing the wrong thing.


6. Casual Fridays doesn't mean shorts. Or anything listed above. Find out what management specifically means by casual Friday. What does the boss wear? You don’t want to be a stick in the mud and wear a suit when everyone else is in khakis, but you should still observe a conservative, professional rule. If you are a man, you may be able to wear a short-sleeved shirt, but think polo rather than Hawaiian. Unless you're Magnum P.I.


7. Interview outfit rules remain the same. Even in warm weather the same rules apply for interview attire: Dress for the job you want, look like you already belong, and dress even more conservatively than you normally would. You want to make a good impression and you want to do it by looking like you belong, by looking as polished and professional as possible, and not by looking summery, sexy, or casual.


8. Check your smell. We’re all a little sweatier and stickier in the summertime, so make an extra effort to check your hygiene. After that sweaty walk from the Metro, pop into the bathroom to freshen up. Maybe even keep a little dopp kit in your office with deodorant, powder, etc. Runny make-up and sweat stains are never a good look.