ALSO CALLED: IT Lead Generation, IT Leads Generation, Sales Lead Generation, and Sales Leads
DEFINITION: A lead, in a marketing context, is a potential sales contact: an individual or organization that expresses an interest in your goods or services. Leads are typically obtained through the referral of an existing customer, or through a direct response to advertising/publicity. A company's marketing department is typically responsible for lead generation.

Pursuing and closing leads normally  … 
Definition continues below.

LEAD GENERATION DEFINITION (continued): …  falls to the company's sales department. For example, a vendor will display their wares at an industry trade show, hoping to attract the attention of qualified buyers attending the exhibit. Each inquiry for more vendor information would be a "lead," which might subsequently be developed into a sale.

A company's lead generation efforts and its approach to dealing with leads can significantly impact its success in the marketplace. To that end, most organizations try to establish effective practices involving:

• lead generators: any marketing-related activity intended … 
  Lead Generation definition sponsored by SearchITChannel.com, powered by WhatIs.com an online computer dictionary