Augmentation of lead with attractiveness information from external source

Abstract

A method of developing a sales lead includes receiving a sales lead from a sales lead source and supplementing it with additional information. The supplemental information may be useful in determining the attractiveness of the sales lead. Attractiveness information may be quantified or otherwise expressed, added to the sales lead, and provided to a sales lead recipient. The sales lead recipient may then quickly and efficiently assess the value of the sales lead.

1 . A method of developing a sales lead, comprising: 
 receiving a sales lead from a sales lead source, including an identification of a potential customer;    requesting supplemental information from an information database relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase;    receiving the supplemental information from the information database; and    delivering the sales lead to a recipient for follow-up together with attractiveness information relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase based on the supplemental information received from the information database.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information database is located remotely from the sales lead source.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the receiving the sales lead, the requesting the supplemental information, the receiving the supplemental information, and the delivering the sales lead is performed at a location.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the information database is located remotely from the location.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the information database is at the location.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising storing the sales lead in the information database.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information database includes information about products that the potential customer has owned and the received supplemental information includes the ownership information.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the information database includes information about a product that the potential customer currently owns and the receiving the supplemental information includes this ownership information.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the product that the potential customer currently owns is of the same type as a product that is the subject of the sales lead.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising calculating a value representing the likelihood that the sales lead would lead to a purchase based at least in part on the supplemental information.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the attractiveness information that is delivered to the recipient includes the value.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lead source comprises an automobile distributor.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the recipient comprises an automobile dealer.  
     
     
         14 . Computer-readable media embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform a method of developing a sales lead, the method comprising: 
 receiving a sales lead from a sales lead source, including an identification of a potential customer;    requesting supplemental information from an information database relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase;    receiving the supplemental information from the information database; and    delivering the sales lead to a recipient for follow-up together with attractiveness information relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase based on the supplemental information received from the information database.    
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable media of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises calculating a value representing the likelihood that the sales lead would lead to a purchase based at least in part on the supplemental information.  
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the attractiveness information that is delivered to the recipient includes the value.  
     
     
         17 . A lead development system, comprising: 
 an input port configured to receive a sales lead from a sales lead source, including an identification of a potential customer;    a processor configured to request supplemental information from an information database relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase;    the processor further configured to receive the supplemental information from the information database; and    an output port configured to send the sales lead to a recipient for follow-up together with attractiveness information relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase based on the supplemental information received from the information database.    
     
     
         18 . The lead development system of  claim 17  wherein the processor is further configured to calculate a value representing the likelihood that the sales lead would lead to a purchase based at least in part on the supplemental information.  
     
     
         19 . The lead development system of  claim 18  wherein the attractiveness information that is delivered to the recipient includes the value.  
     
     
         20 . A lead development system, comprising: 
 means for receiving a sales lead from a sales lead source, including an identification of a potential customer;    means for requesting supplemental information from an information database relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase;    means for receiving the supplemental information from the information database; and    means for delivering the sales lead to a recipient for follow-up together with attractiveness information relevant to the likelihood that the potential customer will make a purchase based on the supplemental information received from the information database.