Did anyone ever get your name wrong? How did you feel? It may or not have bothered you; however it will bother many other people.

A person’s name is very important to them; get it wrong at your peril.

I used to share an office with someone whose second name was Cumming. He regularly received letters, addressed to Mr Cummings. This used to drive him crazy and he would dump any such letter in the bin.

And I must be honest; people, who spell my name Allan, or Allen, make me a little bit crazy.

Sweet talk

A person’s name is one of the sweetest sounds they’ll ever hear. Use a customer, or a colleague or a staff member’s name when you talk to, write to, or email them. It indicates that you recognise them as an individual, and you care about them. It’s extremely powerful!

Don’t use it too often in a conversation, as it can become irritating, but definitely at the start and the end of the interaction.

Business is less formal nowadays, however be careful of using first names initially, when you’re dealing with a customer or a client.

And make sure the other person knows your name and remembers it.

You can do the old repeat trick – ‘My name is Bond, James Bond’ or ‘My name is James, James Bond’

My name is Alan (with one l, and I’m no secret agent) I look forward to hearing from you.