Final answer:
A continuous program of communicating with customers and prospects via telephone is known as telemarketing. It is distinct from CRM and cold calling and often utilizes computer-assisted telephone interviewing and scientific polling methods. so, option b is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
A systematic, continuous program of communicating with customers and prospects via telephone is known as telemarketing. Telemarketing involves reaching out to potential and existing customers to promote products or services, conduct surveys, or gather market research. Unlike customer relationship management (CRM), which is focused on managing a company's interaction with current and potential customers, or cold calling, which is the process of contacting prospects without prior contact, telemarketing is an ongoing strategy that may use techniques like computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) or purchase lists of phone numbers for targeted demographics, as seen in practices by polling companies.
Advancements in technology have transformed polling and interviewing processes, where they are now often executed over the phone or via the Internet with sophisticated methods like CATI systems and random-digit-dialing. This approach provides a more efficient framework for housing scientific polling that ensures a more deliberate and accurate collection of data from various demographics, including those with unlisted numbers or cellular phones.