Sales Lead Management Policy

Policy ID: SLMP-2051

Effective Date: [January 1, 2050]

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Sales Lead Management Policy is to standardize and regulate the processes surrounding the acquisition, management, and disposition of sales leads at [Your Company Name]. This will ensure that the sales team can efficiently handle leads to drive revenue and growth.

II. SCOPE

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and stakeholders involved in the sales process at [Your Company Name]. This includes, but is not limited to, sales representatives, sales managers, and marketing teams.

III. DEFINITIONS

Lead: An individual or organization that has shown an interest in the products or services offered by [Your Company Name]. A lead may originate from various sources, including marketing campaigns, online inquiries, referrals, and cold outreach.
Qualified Lead: A lead assessed and verified to meet the pre-defined criteria set by [Your Company Name]. Criteria often include budget, need, timeline, and decision-making authority.
Lead Scoring: A systematized method for evaluating leads by assigning numerical values based on various attributes or actions. This scoring helps prioritize leads for follow-up actions.
Lead Conversion: The successful transformation of a lead into a paying customer, usually evidenced by the finalization of a sales transaction and logged in the CRM system.

IV. POLICY STATEMENTS

This section elaborates on the key policy statements that govern the Sales Lead Management process at [Your Company Name]. Each statement outlines a distinct aspect of lead management and is designed to ensure alignment across all sales and marketing activities.

Lead Acquisition: All leads, regardless of origin, must promptly enter into the company’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The maximum time allowable for this data entry is [24] hours from the moment of acquisition.
Lead Qualification: All leads shall undergo a qualification process, which includes a thorough assessment using the company's lead scoring system. The criteria for the lead scoring system shall be reviewed and updated at least quarterly to reflect market conditions and business priorities.
Lead Distribution: Qualified leads will be distributed to sales representatives based on a predetermined set of factors, including geographic location, area of expertise, and availability.
Lead Follow-Up: Sales representatives are obligated to follow up with assigned, qualified leads within a [48-hour] window from the time of assignment.
Lead Status Tracking: Every interaction, status change, and significant event concerning each lead must be meticulously logged in the CRM system.
Lead Nurturing: Leads that do not meet the criteria for immediate sales follow-up will be entered into a nurturing program. This program will consist of tailored content and communications to progress the lead to a qualified status over time.
Lead Conversion: A lead is deemed converted when it culminates in a closed sale. This significant milestone must be documented in the CRM system.

V. LEAD SCORING SYSTEM

The following table outlines the scoring criteria and the range of scores that can be allocated to each criterion:

Criteria	Score
Budget	0-25
Authority	0-25
Need	0-25
Timeline	0-25

Total Score: 0-100

Score	Action
00-29	Enter into the Nurturing Program
30-59	Scheduled Follow-Up
60-89	Immediate Sales Contact
90-100	Immediate Executive Contact

VI. COMPLIANCE

Internal audits will be conducted quarterly to assess compliance with this policy. These audits will examine random samples of lead records in the CRM system, correspondence with leads, and other pertinent data. In addition to scheduled audits, unannounced spot checks may be conducted to ensure real-time compliance.
All employees involved in sales and marketing will be required to undergo annual training on this policy and must pass a certification test to ensure understanding and compliance.
An initial violation will result in a formal written warning and may require additional training.
Multiple violations may result in escalating disciplinary actions, up to and including performance review, reassignment, or termination.
Severe or deliberate violations, such as tampering with lead records or data breaches, will result in immediate termination and may lead to legal action.
Employees who feel they have been unfairly subject to disciplinary action for non-compliance can appeal to the Compliance Review Board within [15] days of receiving the disciplinary notice.
This policy also incorporates compliance with relevant local, state, and federal regulations, including but not limited to data protection laws. Employees must be aware of these legal obligations and how they intersect with this policy.
Employees are encouraged to report known or suspected violations to their immediate supervisor, the Sales Manager, or the Compliance Department. All reports will be treated confidentially and will be investigated promptly.

VII. REVISION AND UPDATE

This policy is subject to an annual comprehensive review conducted jointly by the Sales Department and the Board of Directors. This review is a critical governance activity designed to ensure the policy's continued relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with organizational goals. Amendments to the policy will be documented, communicated to all affected parties, and integrated into training programs to ensure seamless adoption.