If I pay attention to a written piece of information (name, phone number, address, short instructions, that kind of stuff) I will remember it for months and years. Comes in handy when working with complex policies and legislation!
This is balanced by the fact that I have trouble retaining auditory information. If you tell me your name, I've forgotten it before you've even finished talking. (But if I catch it on your badge out of the corner of my eye, I'll remember it for years.) The only exception are dog names - those I have no trouble remembering.
Before reading the questions: