A sales direction is the identity of a person or entity potentially interested in purchasing a device or service, and represents the first stage of a sales process. The on top may have a corporation or line associated (a B2B lead) with the person(s). Sales leads come from either go marketing lead bearing processes such as trade shows, direct marketing, advertising, Internet marketing or from sales head prospecting activities such as brisk calling.
Sales leads are a central chunk of the apologue of the movie Glengarry Glen Ross, about four real estate salesmen who want "the first-rate leads" which will close more easily (result in closed sales, i.e. a financial transaction).