An informed and interactive approach to online communication

During the Coronavirus pandemic, businesses have had to adapt and reconsider how they operate and communicate. World Online Networking Day, on 29 October, celebrates the interaction of business people across the world through online networking. Online communication can help build relationships at a time when face to face networking isn’t possible and create potential opportunities to make sales and source new clients.

However, there are many sectors, including the cleaning sector, who thrive on personal contact. There is a clear need to move to convenient, digital interactions going forwards, which still allow for this face-to-face rapport. Finding a balance between the two approaches demands digital channels that allow for personal interaction while providing relevant, informative, and targeted content to generate greater engagement.

Here at Ceris Burns International, we developed a high-tech virtual event, Cleaning Interactive to do just that. It took place this month, from 6-7 October and was designed to enable the cleaning industry to continue to engage with valuable existing and potential customers and suppliers whilst also providing delegates and exhibitors with a wealth of information to inspire and protect every vertical market.

World class speakers provided visitors with a host of advice and practical solutions to apply to their workplace, including the lessons learned from COVID-19, the importance of benchmarking during the pandemic, cobotics, industry training, safer working, understanding hand hygiene technology and how to use sanitisation products.

The response to the show, indicated that many welcomed this new approach, which helped them address the current challenges faced by businesses.

Delegate, Phil Smith, Sales Director at NIC Services Group said: “In a people industry, interaction is so vital and as face-to-face, in person meetings are sadly not currently on the agenda for most of us, this virtual opportunity is an absolute godsend. You have definitely reconnected the disconnected!”

Robert Duncan, Marketing Manager at Enviroclean said: “I found the Cleaning Interactive set-up really interesting and quite inspiring regarding how we can give people great experiences despite the challenges of the current working world!”

Around the world, organisers of events across a range of vertical sectors have had to re-think their approach, with many going virtual rather than cancelling. Where digital transformation is taking place across the industry, it is important to ensure that clients, potential customers, and cleaning professionals are central to this change.

Exhibitor, Purex® Global said: We’ve had a great last few days exhibiting at Cleaning Interactive 2020 gaining new connections, sharing top industry insights and advice, and presenting the chemical free cleaning innovation. This was the first high-tech virtual event for the professional cleaning industry, and let’s hope it’s the first of many. Big thanks to Ceris Burns and her team for the excellent organisation.”

For those who didn’t have the chance to attend all or some of the event, you can still watch the seminars on demand at your convenience. You can also visit the exhibitor booths and gather information from the leading cleaning and hygiene suppliers. Registered delegates access this by logging back into the event platform, into the Indie Stage and exhibit hall areas. If you didn’t attend, register for FREE at cleaninginteractive.com

By moving to a more convenient, accessible, and informed approach to online communication, we have the chance to provide deeper engagement that could positively change the future of the sector for years to come. We celebrate the opportunity to continue to network and share best practice online, working together to overcome the challenges we currently face.