How do you remember names, dates and facts effectively?

Mike a friend of mine has just asked me this question. A question that a lot of people ask. Here are some suggestions that work -
1 - Many people tell themselves that they have a bad memory. This is a mistake and becomes self fulfilling. By telling yourself that you have a good memory which you are constantly improving; you will exercise it more and like any muscle it improves with exercise. To a major degree we do not get memory loss as we get older, we stop exercising our memory. There is a lot of research into this subject.
2 - Keep a notepad with you. The greatest inventors - creators always write ideas down when the ideas come into their minds. I have notepads all round the house and keep a filofax with me. It seems that opening up a computer and typing it, doesn't work so well. Does anybody know why? Mindmapping helps enormously as well.
3 - Names. The issue with names is that our reptilian brain, our basic operating system is there to keep us safe. When we meet someone for the 1st time it is in full operation at the expense of our other facilities. It is basically sussing the other person out, to see if they are a friend or a foe. While it is doing that through all 5 senses, but mainly our visual sense, it doesn't listen very well. Just as we are shaking hands, greeting the other person and swapping names. See tipping point by Malcolm Gladwell for a good read

1 - Give the other person your business card and get their's in return. You now have their name in your hand. I like this one as it has other benefits.
2 - Be more aware to listen and repeat their name three times in your mind
3 - Write their name down as quickly as you can on a piece of paper

There are many other memory techniques, however these are the ones that work for me.
There are some great books by Tony Buzan. Good luck Mike, you now have a great memory.