Sure thing, Ned

Friday, October 26, 2007  by Susan Julien-Willson
Category: sales, selling, skills, customers

The other day, about 20 minutes after a meeting where I sat across from Nick (from another dept.), the same Nick calls me on the phone and says he is going to do some web copy updates for the Ribbon  Program on the site and he was told to call me for info. Then, he asks if he's ever met me before. I pause and wonder, is he serious? I say, well, you were just sitting across from me in a meeting laughing at my jokes to which he replies, "Oh, I thought your name was Sherry!."  I laughed. A little while later, I receive an email from Nick that says, "Thanks for not giving me a hard time about forgetting your name."

I couldn't resist, being someone who believes a sense of humor at work is necessary and knowing Nick has a great sense of humor, I write this response:

Sure thing, Ned. Not a problem.

Signed,

Sherri (with an i)

He thought it was funny.

I keep calling Nick, Ned. Now others are calling Nick, Ned. And he asked me yesterday what he did to deserve this, kiddingly of course. I noticed now he's calling me Susan. Guess he wants to be Nick rather than Ned.

So, did Nick do anything wrong? No, he did what we all do. He got my name wrong. It's easy to say don't ever forget a name or get a name wrong, especially when it comes to customers and co-workers, but we all have done it.

Ever totally blank on someone's name and been unable to introduce them to the person you're with at the time? (Do you ask their name? Admit you forgot their name?). Some of us get a name wrong ... someone looks like a Harry rather than a Tom, or Tom looks more like a David you once knew, or whatever ... and you just can't seem to get the person's name right.

Remembering names is important in business. Does anyone have tips or little "tricks" on how they remember names? If you have some advice, let me know.  I am usually pretty good with names, but when I meet a few people at a time in a meeting or at an event, I sometimes get confused ... get the names mixed up between people.

So, please share your name recall methods and tips. Ned and Sherri could use a few tips!

 

Comments

# Ben said on October 26, 2007 4:38 PM:

As you know Susan, there's a lot of different techniques to remember names. I'm sure you are going to get a lot of posts for "how to". I am constantly working on remembering names and have always struggled with it.

What I wanted to give you was a way to get people's names if you forgot. This was given to me by my Uncle. When you're talking to that person, ask them "what was your name again?" When they give you their first name, you just say "Oh no, I meant to say, what was your last name?" It's funny, but it works!

# Jonathan David Insall said on October 26, 2007 5:01 PM:

I sometimes use a technique I found from Kevin Trudeau's Mega Memory series.  He says, "Combine their name with something totally 'non-sensical' with action to remember their name."  The Advanced Mega Memory Series is also still available, I think.  Let me know if this helps.  

That's a great idea! I'll give it a try.  Thanks! sjw

# Dave said on October 27, 2007 10:18 PM:

when you meet someone for the first time say their name 3-5 times in your head.

# sivaram said on October 28, 2007 8:07 AM:

Susan,

A technique that has worked for me especially in remembering Prospects names is the default action of "going over my name list frequently" typical of a calling process. When I put a new name on my prospect list, I attach a brief description that is EMOTIONAL (e.g was excited about family,Sports,personal belief etc) and VISUAL highlights(e.g color of their shirt, family, physical appearance, their vehicle) and LOCATION highlights (e.g met at the grocery line on such a date holding bananas after work etc..). So repetiion has worked for me in brief. In a Dale Carnegie Training, I also learned similar technique of attaching an emotional highlight to the new contact person and REPEATING their name often in conversations. Trust this helps..

Thank you! All of you shared some great ideas I intend to put to use in remembering names. sjw

# Nick Kobelja said on October 29, 2007 10:05 AM:

I try to use the name several times after hearing it.  What I need to do is remember to write the name down as soon as possible after I learn it.  I still haven't figured out how to connect the face with the name, though.

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On a personal note, this was first month that I've retailed the bottom bracket.  I feel like whooping and hollering.  And this is *me* we're talking about!  The folks who say that our products aren't competitive just aren't talking to people about them.  It sure wasn't my looks that sold the stuff :)

BRAVO, Nick! Great to hear you're doing well selling products. What products do you seem to have the most luck selliing?  Why do you think that is? sjw

# Nick Kobelja said on October 29, 2007 4:06 PM:

"What products do you seem to have the most luck selling?  Why do you think that is?"

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We have been most successful selling Nutrilite products.  Only we don't set out to be Nutrilite IBOs.  It just happens that way.  There is a need for everyone in the product lineup and the DoubleX really makes a difference in how people feel -- mostly in energy levels.

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We also have sold a few cases of XS energy drinks because they are cost competitive, they taste good (most flavors), and they aren't just caffeinated, sugared water.  People really like it.

.

The funny thing is, my wife and I aren't really doing a great job at "sales".  We have just been talking to people.  We have no "marketing" plan to speak of.  We just kind of have a good-natured competition about who sells more :)  I think the trick is to give out samples.  The products sell themselves if people try them.

.

As soon as I can figure out how we did it, I'll let you know!

I have to admit that I have the most luck selling XS Energy Drinks, the new TA protein snack bars, and SN twist tubes ... and, of course, Ribbon Gift Collections. I have a date set for mid-November for a Personal Accents party. I hope to sell LOTS of jewelry there, but also have a grand time...maybe even sponsor a couple people. Thanks for sharing and keep sharing, Nick. Maybe being natural and honest and yourself is the way to sell! sjw

# CJ said on October 29, 2007 11:45 PM:

Congrats Nick!!! You can't go wrong with the core-line products. I agree with Nick, samples are a definite key. Not everyone is willing to pay to "try" something unless through some experience. That can be through someone else having it work for them and telling you about it, repeated exposure like advertising, or personal experience. The most powerful out of all those is personal experience. I picked up 2 customers from giving them the samples of the eye replenishing creme. One of them I gave the sample pack of it which was part of a sample bag of stuff (one thing my original sponsors taught me was whenever you delivered a customer their order, always leave a sample of other items in the bag to expand on their product experience for you-reaps dividends). The other I gave the full tube with the condition that if they liked it after using for a couple days, they could buy the tube-and it sold because she saw results within 24hrs. For the customer that I sold the tube to, I already knew that she tried another direct seller's brand that was very cheap in price which was why she tried it. It didn't work for her at all. One thing about Quixtar/Nutrilite/SA8/Artistry products, when the corporation makes a claim on a product, they stick by it. The creme says you will see a noticable difference in 24hrs and she saw it-it was all over but to shout then. Keep pumpin the pump Nick!

# Ben said on October 30, 2007 4:26 PM:

Can anyone give examples of either transitioning current customers, or gaining new customers to web orders of $75 or more?

# Tina B said on October 31, 2007 2:36 PM:

Ben,

My upline has been very creative in putting together "sample" orders of 50PV or more.  Being that these are typically CORE items (from the Choices catalog), the total tends to be $75.00 or more.  Aside from Free Shipping, I also 'entice' them with a $25 Variety Gift Album or higher, depending on the amount of PV/BV.  

What I do is I call and ask them if they will give me a chance to EARN their business.  I let them know that I don't expect their business because they are my family, friends, neighbors, etc.  I tell them it will take about a 1/2 hour and that I just want to show them what I do, how I do it, and leave the decision up to them after our meeting.  If I bring samples, I get a customer or a pro-sumer almost EVERY SINGLE time!  Again, the samples are key.

Hope that helps!

Tina

# Robin Luymes said on October 31, 2007 2:56 PM:

There's a guy at church who I've been on a committee with whose name is Mike.  I've inadvertently called him "Tim" on three or four occasions now. The first time I really thought that was his name. The other times it just comes bubbling out like it's stuck in my subconscious. Now when I see him I chant inside my head ... Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike.  

# Nick Kobelja said on November 1, 2007 10:14 AM:

Tina,

Do your sample orders have themes?  If you don't mind, could you show a sample order and then say a few words about how you show it to people?

.

What has typically worked for me is that I talk about a single product (DoubleX, XS, etc).  Then, if the order is within $20 of $75, I'll talk about the free shipping.   I don't suggest a product but more times than not, the customer will find something on his own to get the free shipping.

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This has worked for me but I'm intrigued by your sample order idea.

.

Thanks.

# Ben said on November 1, 2007 5:29 PM:

Thanks Tina! I also have been sitting down with potential customers/IBO's, leaving samples and incentivizing them. I think the "sample" orders are a great idea. Do you get an order at that time or do you set a followup date?

Also, has anyone had any results using an "honor box" where you leave the samples with the price list (wholesale and retail) and when you come back, they can pay you for the samples they've consumed. They can then decide if they want to become an IBO, or pay retail and remain a customer.

Thanks all!

# Tina B said on November 2, 2007 7:44 PM:

Sure Nick.  I'll give a couple of examples.  However, as they teach, your upline (growing) is the best source of information - other than the Quixtar site.  You can look at CORE products and kind of play with the idea & come up with some "packages" for your customers & IBO's.  

This one would be for a health/workout conscious individual:  

Double X             24.35PV

Carb Blocker         11.95PV

CLA 500              25.45PV

Chrompic Extra       15.95PV

Rhodiola 110         12.80PV

Pre-Workout Bars      6.17PV

XS Energy Drink       7.03PV

XS Protein Powder    11.85PV

Protein Bars          5.85PV

Total PV             172.54

*The above example is VERY realistic as my husband and I use every product mentioned.  I workout on a regular basis & have found the Carb Blocker, CLA 500 & Chrompic Extra to work really well in conjunction with exercise.

This one is a bare minimum one:

Double X                              24.35PV

3 Meal Replacement Bars               22.20PV

3 Protein Bars                        17.55PV

Kahveccino                            11.21PV

3 XS Energy Drinks                    21.09PV

Artistry Essentials Skin Care System  11.60PV

Total PV                             117.49PV

*Add in laundry care, kitchen & home cleaning products, additional skin care (anti-aging, moisturizing), body & hair care, cosmetics, specific men's & women's supplements (primrose plus, Saw Palmetto), Kid's vitamins & juices, etc. etc. etc.  

It just amazes me at the people who don't get it.  We have it all.  Same price or CHEAPER than competitors.  

Anyway, you can get the jist.  You can take any combo of products.  Or, you can follow the product grouping recommendations on Quixtar Ditto when setting someone up with a Ditto Profile.  That's worked well for me.  I simply follow the screens & ask them what they currently use, as we go along.  Our "end product" is a profile that we then edit as appropriate.  It's a wonderful guideline & tool. It's fun too!

Good luck Nick!

Tina B

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