boblog

With all this networking going on comes meeting lots of people. Some of whom you’d really like to remember. But, one thing that seems to dog a lot of people is remembering the name of the person you met just 12 seconds ago.

It never fails. As soon as you meet someone, have a brief discussion, then part, you think “D’oh. What was his name?” So, here’s what I do. Doesn’t always work but it helps.

1.  As soon as you hear the other person’s name, repeat it. “Hi, Don, I’m Bob. Glad to meet you. So, Don, what brings you to this event?” Repeat it as much as you can in the ensuing conversation and as you part, “Nice to meet you, Don.” How do we train dogs? Repetition. How do we train our adult brains? Right.

2. Associate it with something else. In fact, from what I’ve read, the more ridiculous the association, the better. While you’re talking and listening your brain is going, “Don, pong, donpong, pongdon, donpong tulips.” Now, whenever you see his face again you immediately think, “Tulips. donpong tulips. Don!” “Hey, Don, long time no see.” Right.

3. Write it down. When you get a free moment, turn his business card over (you did get his card, didn’t you?) and write his name on the back. Yes, I know his name is on the front but we’re not trying to train the business card, now are we? No, we’re training the brain and how do we do that? Right, repetition. Write his name on the back of the card, where you met, and what you talked about.

Doesn’t always work but it works better than doing nothing or just leaving the brain to try to keep up. And, we know how well that’s been working, right? I’m just sayin’…

It’s time we stopped sharing. No, really. If you have something to say, tell me (or us, throughout). If you have something to give to me, give it to me. If you have something that you want to show me, then show it to me, hand it to me, slide it over but please stop sharing it. I can’t give it back when we’re done, now, can I?

I know, it all comes out of the “kinder – gentler” phase and I get it. But, please, stop it. We can’t really, in the final definition of the word, really share it, now can we? No, we can’t. You can tell me the information you have, you can show me your nice PowerPoint slides, you can even recite your ideas that, honestly, I am willing to listen to but, ya just gotta stop all the sharing. Get a grip. Telling me you have some things you want to “share” with me is, frankly, starting to sound a bit creepy.

So, stop all the sharing. I’m beggin’ ya, do what you came here to do, sit down, and let’s digest it, let’s talk it over, let’s get to the bottom of it but we just gotta stop all the sharing. If all we ever do is share everything, then who, in the finaly analysis, really owns it? And, if nobody really owns it, then were does the responsibility and the accountability lie? I’m just askin’.

Why is it that when you’re driving down the road or just sitting at home with your spouse and no one is talking, all of a sudden she asks “What are you thinking about?” I’m just askin’.

For some reason, high school girls not liking the ida of a computer career does not surprise me: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Management/OMG-Computer-Careers-Big-Turnoff-for-High-School-Girls-282953/?kc=rss

I suspect they’d rather get their MBA so they can “manage” the geeks. Oops, did I say that out loud?

Had a great Saturday at the first Big(D)esign conference at SMU. Lots of speakers/presenters talking about design, user experience, user interface trends and practices. Met some very smart people. Rather humbling. And, a few dorks, too, but, that’s probably what they’re saying. And, who could blame them?

We need to talk about sharing. Maybe later today.

Enjoy another gorgeous day in north Texas. God must love us today.