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1. www.speakeasygroups.com
Effective Networking Skills:
How to guarantee the LIKE in ‘Know, Like, Trust’
by Andrew Thorp
Founder of Speakeasy Groups

2. The Speakeasy Archive
We hear a lot about 'Know, Like and Trust' being the bedrock of all good networking.
In this short e-book, I’m going to explore the middle one - LIKE.
It's terribly important that people warm to you in the networking arena. They have
to buy YOU first and foremost, before your product or service gets a look-in.
Here are some measures (I thought of 30 - there are undoubtedly more), criteria by
which we judge people in this environment. If there's a person out there who ticks
ALL these boxes I'd be surprised. But I'm sure they're popular - and busy!
What type of characteristics would they exhibit…?

3. 1
Smart appearance YES, but not over-
dressed for the setting.
2
A pleasant demeanour - some people
just look positive and optimistic
(Professor Brian Cox OBE, below), but
others seem to be permanently grumpy
and negative (Victor Meldrew) - usually
without knowing it!

4. 3
Ask questions and take an interest in
others - not like an interrogation, just
pleasantly curious so that it flows in a
natural, conversational style.
4
Able to build rapport, find common
points of interest (not too eager or
forced, but again natural and conversa-
tional). Really, really good listener.

5. 5
Willing to learn.
Open to new ideas.
6
Able to empathise (they seem to 'know
how you feel', and appreciate your
situation).

6. 7
Don’t take themselves too seriously.
Willing to poke fun at themselves.
8
Deliver a really good overview of what
they do - not too much so they over-
whelm/bore you, but not too little that
you're irritated (What are they hiding?
Why don’t they just tell me?).

7. 9
Intrigue you with their 60 sec pitch, so
you genuinely want to know more. You
feel there’s more to learn about them,
but that just makes you keener.
10
Able to bring things up in conversation
that are relevant and helpful to YOU
(this MAY incorporate an element of
their product or service, but it may
not).

8. 11
Suggest potential solutions to issues
you’re facing, possible collaborations,
etc but without being pushy or overly
insistent.
12
Point out a problem they encountered,
so you can avoid it.

9. 13
Suggest possible connections which
may benefit you, offer to help...and
actually DO it!
14
Suggest useful sources of information
(a web-site, networking event, the best
route home).

10. 15
Have an easy-to-listen-to voice.
16
Exhibit natural, appropriate and non-
threatening body language.

11. 17
Honest and open (but to an appropriate
level - not sharing marital problems!).
18
Able to make people feel comfortable
and willing to trust them, open up to
them.

12. 19
Never make other people look small or
stupid.
20
Always make people feel important,
noticed and valued. Exhibit a great
memory, recalling earlier conversations
or facts about people.

13. 21
Have some decent stories. Able to tell
them well, but only bring them out at
the appropriate moment. Never loud or
boorish or overly dominant.
22
Able to read people’s feelings.

14. 23
Knowledgeable without showing off.
24
Able to transfer their enthusiasm, their
positivity and optimism to others.

15. 25
Willing to share conversational air-time
fairly (probably more in YOUR favour).
26
Polite, courteous and considerate.

16. 27
Good personal hygiene.
28
Charming but not smarmy.

17. 29
Don't make unseemly remarks about
sex, gender, race or exhibit prejudicial
beliefs.
30
Leave you in a better place at the end
of an interaction, than at the start.

18. Speakeasy Archive © Andrew Thorp (November 2010)
Andrew Thorp
- Profile -
Andrew draws on his hugely varied back-
ground to deliver powerful messages and
highly effective soft skills training.
Having graduated from the University of
Manchester, Andrew initially ran major
golf tournaments worldwide for the Pro-
fessional Golfers’ Association, refereeing
in the 1989 Ryder Cup at The Belfry.
He then moved into the business
arena, and for eight years managed and
marketed a number of commercial golf &
leisure clubs throughout the UK. In recent
years, he has worked as a journalist, edit-
ing a national sports publication and as a
professional coach and event manager for
the corporate market.
Andrew now works as a professional
speaker and communication skills trainer,
specialising in networking, public speak-
ing/presenting and helping people to de-
velop their personal brand.
He sits on the advisory panel for the
Sports Management Degree Course at the
MMU Business School (Manchester) and
acts as a mentor within the NWDA’s
business support programme.
Other Activities/Achievements
Spoke at the TEDx Conference March 2010.
Sits on the Business Advisory Board of the
University of Salford (SIFE).
Published first book in July 2009, entitled
“The 7 Pillars of Sporting Success: and how
to apply them in business”.
Co-manages the Manchester branch of the
worldwide phenomenon Pecha Kucha (social
nights showcasing an innovative presenta-
tion style).
Provider of pro-bono support for the iNspire
programme, helping charities survive and
thrive during recession.
Founded Speakeasy Groups in NW England
(Jan 2010) - a feedback system to improve
the way business people get their message
across.
www.speakeasygroups.com
www.andrewthorp.co.uk
andrew@andrewthorp.co.uk
Mob: 07968 083376