One can transform an iron metal into a magnet by rubbing a magnet on the surface of the iron metal bar.
Position the magnet against the iron rod such that only the chosen pole is touching the rod. Begin at one end of the rod and rub the magnet down the length of the rod in one continuous movement.
Due to the rubbing of magnet, the magnetic domains in iron piece will be aligned in one direction, after which the iron bar will start behaving like a magnet.
This can be visualised by the diagram given below.