something I need to learn

From the Art of Manliness:

How to Remember a Person's Name (And What to Do When You Can't)

In short:

Commit to listening and remembering.

Repeat early, repeat often.

Have them spell it out.

Use a mnemonic device.

Visualize the person's name on their forehead.

Associate the person's name with an easy to remember picture.

Associate the image that represents the person's name to an outstanding facial feature on the person.

Take notes.

Practice, practice, practice.