How to Remember Their Name: One of the Key Business Communication Skills You Need
By Ben Hanlin – Magician, Awards Show Host, Communication Skills Speaker
If you’re someone who constantly forgets people’s names, this one’s for you.
It’s one of the most common challenges I hear when I’m teaching business communication skills:
“I’m terrible with names.”
But here’s the truth, most people don’t realise…
Remembering names is not a personality trait.
It’s not something you’re born with or destined to fail at. Instead, it’s a skill – and like any skill, you can learn it, practise it, and dramatically improve it.
Today I want to share the technique I use every single time I’m on stage or meeting people in real life. I call it:
Use It or Lose It.
Why This Technique Works
Your brain remembers what it’s forced to work with. So if you hear a name and immediately move on, your brain has nothing to attach it to -which means you forget it almost instantly.
However, if you use that name quickly and deliberately, you strengthen the memory within seconds.
How “Use It or Lose It” Works
The rule is simple:
Use the person’s name 2 to 5 times in the first minute of meeting them.
That’s it.
If I forget someone’s name, 90% of the time it’s because I didn’t use this technique.
Here’s what it looks like in action:
Me: “What’s your name?”
You: “John.”
Me: “Lovely to meet you, John. So tell me, John, what brings you here today? Oh, and John… do you know my friend Sarah? Sarah, this is John.”
Within 30 seconds, I’ve used it four times.
Now the name is locked in.
(Important note: Don’t keep using it at that frequency forever – that gets weird very quickly.)
Why This Matters for Business
If you work in sales, leadership, events, or any client-facing role, remembering names is a superpower.
It builds trust instantly.
It makes people feel seen.
It shows attentiveness and respect.
And importantly, it is a vital communication skill in business.
As someone who spends his life on stage, whether performing, hosting awards, or working as a communication skills speaker, this technique is a lifesaver.
Try it the next time you’re in a meeting, networking, or presenting. It’s simple, fast, and surprisingly powerful.
Has this helped? Give it a go.