Start with Hello: How to Convert Today's Stranger into Tomorrow's Client

Chapter 4

How behaviour determines outcomes

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

Coco Chanel

The way people behave in situations where they have the opportunity to make new acquaintances is interesting to observe. Some people are a bit more ‘out there’ in their approach and will feel quite comfortable striking up a conversation with just about anyone. Others need a little extra help in that department and may not feel confident about saying hello to a stranger.

Be a bit ‘out there’

I want to tell you about a guy named Scott Ginsberg, also known as ‘the nametag guy’ because he wears a nametag all the time. Scott is no shrinking violet, and he’s more than happy to chat to other people anytime. His label came about when he started his own social experiment to make friends.

Scott’s story

It started as an experiment. I wanted to see what would happen if I wore a nametag out in the street and in other public places. So I wore it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

One day I met a guy on a bus who asked about my nametag. Turns out, he had a friend who was an editor at a local paper. He told her about me, she looked me up, and then she interviewed me. That interview launched my career.

I now have my name tattooed on my chest so it’s perma­nently there on display, no matter what I’m doing — I’ve actually been wearing my nametag now for more than 4000 days.

Scott has made a career out of wearing his nametag. He is now a writer, professional speaker and business consultant ...