Service-business operating guide
Lead vs prospect: define the evidence behind the label
Lead and prospect are business-defined labels for potential customers. A service office benefits from stating what each label means and what evidence permits a change, rather than treating the words as universal statuses.
01 / Service-business operating guide
Write a small lifecycle dictionary
For an original example, define lead as a recorded inquiry and prospect as an inquiry selected for an estimate discussion after the business’s stated checks. Your business may use different terms. Publish the definitions internally before applying them.
A contact record, an opportunity and a customer relationship can each have different statuses. Avoid calling every person in the address book a lead simply because the software allows that label.
02 / Service-business operating guide
Separate fit from intent to proceed
Service and area fit answer whether the business can consider the work. Interest in an estimate answers a different question. Record each with its evidence rather than compressing both into a confident prospect label.
Fictional case: a caller is in area and requests a supported service but is researching for a later project. That can be a valid inquiry without being ready for the same next step as a customer requesting an assessment now.
03 / Service-business operating guide
Record a transition and a reversal
Use a transition card: prior label; new label; evidence; date; authorized owner; next action. Test what happens when the customer corrects the property or changes the project scope.
Do not keep the old label merely to preserve a dashboard result. A changed fact can require review. Preserve the reason for a correction instead of counting the corrected record as a new opportunity.
04 / Service-business operating guide
Connect labels to useful work
Each label should help someone choose a supported action. If two labels always produce identical work and reporting, consider whether the distinction is useful. Keep unknown or unresolved information visible.
The qualification guide supplies intake dimensions. This page defines lifecycle language and transitions. Revo’s Services and Pricing do not establish a native CRM lifecycle or automatic lead scoring.
Common questions
Make the next step clear.
Resolve the details that matter to your team and callers.
Is prospect always a later stage than lead?
Terminology varies. Define and use your business’s own consistent lifecycle.
Does an answered call prove a qualified lead?
No. Keep call handling, inquiry creation and qualification evidence separate.
Sources and current terms
Use labels to explain evidence and the next action.
Review Revo’s current features and plans for the workflow your business needs.
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