Dale Carnegie once said "The sweetest sound, in any language, is the sound of one's own name"

Makes sense . . . right?

Simple enough!

Then why do we send emails to people (mostly people we know and/or work with) without use of their name?

Why do people send those generic, crappy Linkedin invite templates and then seal the deal with no use of the recipients name?

I received two requests for interviews today on radio programs. Neither one of them used my name.

Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered but it took on that weird vibe like someone looking at you and talking in your direction, you answer them only to see that they were using their Bluetooth!

Here are a few friendly reminders to get you thinking

Need to write Mary an email? Consider "Hi Mary" "Dear Mary" and even a "Yo Mary" is better stripping poor Mary of her identity.

Sending an invite to Prudence consider "Dear Prudence" (gold star if you caught the Beatles reference"

Inviting someone to your linkedin group . . . Use their name. And I could care less that you have 100 of these to send out today and it will take you longer . . . I'm thinking the recipient will feel the same way!

And just for sh*ts and giggles:

When you are talking with someone . . . They have a name . . . use it

It may sound like I'm being picky and I bet I am, but I'm willing to bet that the person who understands the importance of a silly thing called a name, will stand out.

I've always said that everyone has a story and wants to be heard.

Today I want you to understand, that everyone has a name and wants to be acknowledged!