The Interest Pipeline
The Interest Pipeline is the signal-to-interest progression that tracks where a real person is on their journey toward you — before there is ever a deal on the table.
An Interest tracks one individual's readiness; it tracks individuals, not opportunities — twelve people at one company are twelve Interests but a single deal. A deal only gets created when a person actually raises their hand. You recognize when someone is genuinely ready, rather than pushing them through stages that fight how people actually buy.
- Status
- canonical
- Cite
- valuecreationprotocol.com/interest-pipeline
- Source
- Generated from the canonical reference and checked against it on every build
1. Interest Exists
Value phase: attracting
What it is
The earliest stage — a signal is present but the relationship is not yet active. Top of path, no hand raised.
Interest Exists
Value phase: attracting
What it is
The earliest stage — a signal is present but the relationship is not yet active. Top of path, no hand raised.
2. Intent Emerging
Value phase: attracting
What it is
Intent is beginning to show — the signal is present and starting to point somewhere, but the relationship is still not yet active.
Intent Emerging
Value phase: attracting
What it is
Intent is beginning to show — the signal is present and starting to point somewhere, but the relationship is still not yet active.
3. Intent Validated
Value phase: engaging
What it is
The intent has been validated — the relationship has become active and two-way.
Intent Validated
Value phase: engaging
What it is
The intent has been validated — the relationship has become active and two-way.
4. Readiness Indicated
Value phase: engaging
What it is
The person has indicated readiness — an active, two-way relationship moving toward a raised hand.
Readiness Indicated
Value phase: engaging
What it is
The person has indicated readiness — an active, two-way relationship moving toward a raised hand.
5. Engaged Signal
Value phase: engaging
What it is
They have raised their hand, so now a deal makes sense. The strongest active signal in the pipeline; the point at which a Deal is created and the relationship moves onto the commercial process.
Engaged Signal
Value phase: engaging
What it is
They have raised their hand, so now a deal makes sense. The strongest active signal in the pipeline; the point at which a Deal is created and the relationship moves onto the commercial process.
6. No Fit
No value phase (left the active set)
What it is
Reserved for a genuine no-fit. The Interest leaves the active set; this is a genuine no-fit, not a failure to convert.
No Fit
No value phase (left the active set)
What it is
Reserved for a genuine no-fit. The Interest leaves the active set; this is a genuine no-fit, not a failure to convert.
Protocol home
VCP is originated and canonically implemented by Value-First Team. Anyone may read, cite, and operate the protocol independently of firm engagement.