Company Blog

I Got a Name

by Adam Zack — March 27, 2015

Like the pine trees lining the winding road
I got a name, I got a name
– Jim Croce

When I was in 8th grade I was on team that made the school yearbook. Our instructor, Mr. Bellamy, asked as we were proofing the book “What is the first thing people look for when they read the book?” I thought I was smart and answered “Mistakes.” WRONG! They look for photos of themselves and their name in the book. Oh yeah, that makes sense. I do that. We all do.

One thing you can’t take away from someone is their name. Love your name or hate it, it is a group of letters that is uniquely you. When people you encounter take the time to learn your name, to remember it, to pronounce it correctly, to call you by it each time they see you, it gives you a sense of worth. Of importance. Of relevance. People who really make the effort to listen and remember the names of those they interact with and do business with will be more respected and more successful. And more liked. You are important enough to them that they remember your name and it gives you a natural sense of comfort and ease.

So the next time you see that regular customer in your store, ask their name if you don’t know it. It’s OK to say “I see you in here all the time and really appreciate your business, but I just can’t remember your name.” Do the same thing with people you encounter in your daily routine – at your dry cleaner, your coffee place, your post office. And tell them your name. Encourage your employees to do the same. It will give your store another edge over the chain stores where employees are more numbers than names.