1. Determine what your inquiry handling or sales lead management system must include. Construct a flow chart of the process, including the steps required and the time allotted to each.

2. Prepare a “wish list” of the features your program will include if budget allows.

3. Put together a package of background information for each vendor being reviewed. Include literature about your company, products or services. Include samples of current inquiry response materials.

4. Share your numbers with the vendors. How many inquiries per month? How many sales offices, reps, dealers or distributors are involved? How many different pieces of printed literature are involved?

5. Get a written proposal. The proposal is an easy way to check the service company’s understanding of your needs. It should include background on the company, its qualifications, a detailed program recommendation and the related fees. Keep in mind that the quality of the proposal and its attention to detail will often reflect the vendor’s quality and attention to detail.

6. Tour the service company’s facilities. Be sure to venture beyond the conference room, onto the production floor. Listen in on phone calls. Look over the shoulders of people who enter data and fulfill information requests. Be sure you meet the people who will actually be managing your business.

7. Check references. Ask to see a current customer list and look for other companies in your industry or market. Call these companies, not just the ones provided on a reference list. Ask about the quality of the vendor’s services and the quality of its people who handle the account.

8. Conduct a trial program. Establish measurable objectives up front, and then determine how long it will take to decide whether the relationship will be a good one. Consider running the trial program concurrently with your in-house operation until you are sure everything is working properly.

A bonus idea.  If you don’t have the expertise or time to find the right company to manage your sales leads, consider putting me to work! I’ve helped dozens of companies, large and small, to successfully evaluate and select their outsourced sales lead management service providers. And I’ve helped many of those same companies to negotiate favorable fees, terms and conditions, and to get the outsourced programs up and running quickly and cost effectively. For more information, or to discuss your specific needs, please call me at 1-800-944-5553 or send an email to mcIntosh@salesleadexperts.com.

M. H. “Mac” McIntosh has been described by many as one of America's leading business-to-business sales and marketing consultants and speakers, and is considered to be an expert on the subject of sales leads.