Method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing mobile location based sales lead identification

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for mobile location based sales lead identification. Sales lead information may be provided based on a reference location, such as a sales resource real time location. Additional location information, demand information, competitive information, activity history, follow-up tasks, sales resource ownership information and past promotions relating to a particular sales lead may be additionally provided. The mobile location based sales lead information may allow a sales resource to efficiently manage their time during and in between sales visits, and prepare effective sales pitches to sales leads.

1 . A method for mobile location based sales lead identification, the method comprising:
 receiving a reference location indication based on at least one of a current location or an anticipated future location, wherein a geographical area is defined based on the reference location indication;   calculating, with a processor, a forecasted demand for one or more promotions in the geographical area, the forecasted demand comprising at least one or more promotions and a demanded quantity of at least a portion of the one or more promotions;   identifying one or more providers in the geographical area that are identified as able to supply at least a portion of the forecasted demand for the one or more promotions; and   causing display of provider information for each of the one or more providers, the provider information comprising a provider location indication, a promotion indication of a good or service and a promotion quantity suggested for each of the providers based on the forecasted demand.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the provider information further comprises at least one of a) an ownership indicator identifying a sales resource associated with the provider, b) contact information associated with the provider, c) activity history regarding the provider, d) a follow-up task to be performed regarding the provider, or e) demand information associated with the provider. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the provider information further comprises past promotion information associated with the provider, the past promotion information including at least one of a) a promotion date, b) a promotion cost and value, or c) units sold. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the provider information further comprises competitive promotion information associated with the provider, the competitive promotion information including at least one of a) a promotion provider, b) a promotion cost and value, or c) units sold of the competitive promotion. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving provider information relating to a new sales lead;   saving the provider information as a new sales lead in the promotional system; and   causing the displayed provider information to be updated to include the new sales lead.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving follow-up information regarding a particular provider, the follow-up information provided by a sales resource and including at least one of a) a follow-up communication type, b) a follow-up date;   saving the follow-up information in association with the particular provider; and   causing the displayed provider information to be updated to include the follow-up information.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a sale indication regarding a sale to a particular provider;   updating demand information and provider information in a promotional system; and   causing the displayed provider information to be updated to reflect the sale.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a request to sort the displayed provider information by at least a) distance of each respective provider from the reference location or b) a sales value associated with a provider; and   causing the displayed provider information to be sorted based on the request.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sales value is calculated based on at least one of: expected bookings, a supply source score, a probability to close, or a time to close. 
     
     
         10 . A method for mobile location based sales lead identification, the method comprising:
 receiving a reference location indication based on at least one of a current location or an anticipated future location, wherein a geographical area is defined based on the reference location indication;   identifying, with a processor, one or more providers in the geographical area that are identified as having a current sales lead, and   causing display of provider information for each of the one or more providers, the provider information comprising a provider location indication, a promotion indication of a good or service and a promotion quantity suggested for each of the providers.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 calculating a forecasted demand for one or more promotions in the geographical area, the forecasted demand comprising at least one or more promotions and a demanded quantity of at least a portion of the one or more promotions; 
 identifying one or more providers in the geographical area that are identified as able to supply at least a portion of the forecasted demand for the one or more promotions; and 
 generating one or more current sales leads, wherein the current sales lead is indicative of a service or good offered by a provider of the one or more providers that is related to a demand service or a demanded good. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the provider information further comprises at least one of a) an ownership indicator identifying a sales resource associated with the provider, b) contact information associated with the provider, c) activity history regarding the provider, d) a follow-up task to be performed regarding the provider, or e) demand information associated with the provider. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the provider information further comprises past promotion information associated with the provider, the past promotion information including at least one of a) a promotion date, b) a promotion cost and value, or c) units sold. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the provider information further comprises competitive promotion information associated with the provider, the competitive promotion information including at least one of a) a promotion provider, b) a promotion cost and value, or c) units sold of the competitive promotion. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving provider information relating to a new sales lead;   saving the provider information as a new sales lead in the promotional system; and   causing the displayed provider information to be updated to include the new sales lead.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving follow-up information regarding a particular provider, the follow-up information provided by a sales resource and including at least one of a) a follow-up communication type, b) a follow-up date;   saving the follow-up information in association with the particular provider; and   causing the displayed provider information to be updated to include the follow-up information.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving a sale indication regarding a sale to a particular provider;   updating demand information and provider information in a promotional system; and   causing the displayed provider information to be updated to reflect the sale.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method for mobile sales trip planning, the method comprising:
 receiving a reference location indication based on at least one of a current location or an anticipated future location, wherein a geographical area is defined based on the reference location indication;   identifying, with a processor, one or more providers in the geographical area that are identified as having a current sales lead,   generating a next provider indication, wherein the next provider indication provides a sales resource with a suggested next provided or the one or more providers to visit next based at least in part on proximity in the geographical area; and   causing display of provider information for a provider based on the next provider indication, the provider information comprising a provider location indication, a promotion indication of a good or service and a promotion quantity suggested for the provider.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 calculating a forecasted demand for one or more promotions in the geographical area, the forecasted demand comprising at least one or more promotions and a demanded quantity of at least a portion of the one or more promotions; 
 identifying one or more providers in the geographical area that are identified as able to supply at least a portion of the forecasted demand for the one or more promotions; and 
 generating one or more current sales leads, wherein the current sales lead is indicative of a service or good offered by a provider of the one or more providers that is related to a demand service or a demanded good. 
 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the provider information further comprises at least one of a) an ownership indicator identifying a sales resource associated with the provider, b) contact information associated with the provider, c) activity history regarding the provider, d) a follow-up task to be performed regarding the provider, or e) demand information associated with the provider. 
     
     
         23 - 87 . (canceled)