Effective Networking Skills A Guide To Being Liked

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

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…? The Speakeasy Archive

1 2 Smart appearance YES, but not over- A pleasant demeanour - some people dressed for the setting. 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!

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

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

7 8 Don’t take themselves too seriously. Deliver a really good overview of what Willing to poke fun at themselves. 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?).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27 28 Good personal hygiene. Charming but not smarmy.

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

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

Effective Networking Skills A Guide To Being Liked

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Effective Networking Skills A Guide To Being Liked — Presentation Transcript