Start with the need
Ask what the prospect wants to fix before budget or company size. Slow replies, missed follow-ups and duplicate entry imply different workflows. Ask the next decision-relevant question rather than sending a full form in chat.
Use explicit criteria
Qualify by service fit, timing and integration needs. Do not infer customer value from writing style or location. Allow unknown answers and preserve uncertainty. Qualification should improve routing rather than hide speculative rejection rules.
Make handoffs useful
Give sales the need, confirmed answers, open questions and last message. Avoid asking the customer to repeat everything. Measure next-step completion and summary accuracy, and review current channel rules before automating outbound follow-ups.