Bimodal computer-based system for selling financial products

Abstract

Disclosed are computer-implemented systems and software comprising a software module configured to provide financial product education, research, and recommendation tools, the tools operating in a self-service mode adapted for use by a consumer; a software module configured to provide the financial product education, research, and recommendation tools, the tools operating in a collaboration mode, the collaboration mode comprising a sales overlay adapted for use by a sales representative; and a software module configured to generate a unique code for the consumer, the code providing persistence of state and data information between the self-service mode and the collaboration mode across locations and interfaces without authentication. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the same.

1 . Non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with a computer program including instructions executable by a processor to create an application comprising:
 a. a software module configured to provide a product web site, the web site operating in a self-service mode adapted for use by a consumer; and   a software module configured to provide the product web site, the web site operating in a collaboration mode, the collaboration mode comprising a sales overlay adapted for use by a sales representative together with the consumer, the sales overlay providing the sales representative with additional tools for selling the product to the consumer, the sales overlay activated by an interaction known only to the sales representative.   
     
     
         2 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the web site comprises product education, research, and recommendation tools. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the product web site includes a question-based needs assessment dialog or a financial calculator. 
     
     
         7 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a financial product. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the sales overlay includes access to one or more of: marketing collateral for products, pricing and alerts for products, applications for products, a system for establishing follow-up appointments and actions, a system for sending a collaboration summary, and a system for capturing consumer contact information. 
     
     
         10 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide sales reports. 
     
     
         11 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide games and selling contests to motivate, measure, and incent product sales representatives. 
     
     
         12 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide a tool to find a sales representative based on location. 
     
     
         13 . The storage media of  claim 1 , wherein the application is offered as software-as-a-service. 
     
     
         14 . A computer-implemented system comprising:
 a. a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory device;   b. a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create an application comprising:
 i. a software module configured to provide a product web site, the web site operating in a self-service mode adapted for use by a consumer; and 
 a software module configured to provide the product web site, the web site operating in a collaboration mode, the collaboration mode comprising a sales overlay adapted for use by a sales representative together with the consumer, the sales overlay providing the sales representative with additional tools for selling the product to the consumer, the sales overlay activated by an interaction known only to the sales representative. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the web site comprises product education, research, and recommendation tools. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the web site includes a question-based needs assessment dialog or a financial calculator. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the product is a financial product. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the sales overlay includes access to one or more of: marketing collateral for products, pricing and alerts for products, applications for products, a system for establishing follow-up appointments and actions, a system for sending a collaboration summary, and a system for capturing consumer contact information. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide sales reports. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide games and selling contests to motivate, measure, and incent product sales representatives. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application further comprises a software module configured to provide a tool to find a sales representative based on location. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the application is offered as software-as-a-service. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . Non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with a sales overlay, the sales overlay adding functionality to a bimodal consumer product web site, wherein the web site comprises a self-service mode adapted for use by a consumer and a collaboration mode adapted for use by a sales representative physically present with the consumer, the sales overlay adapted for use by a sales representative in the collaboration mode, the sales overlay providing the sales representative with additional tools for selling the product to the consumer, the sales overlay activated by an interaction known only to the sales representative.