What term describes an agreement among competitors prior to contacting customers regarding their relationships with them?

The term that best describes an agreement among competitors prior to contacting customers regarding their relationships with them is collusion. Collusion involves secretive or illegal cooperation among firms within the same industry to limit competition, manipulate prices, or engage in unfair practices, which can include agreeing on strategies for how they will handle customer relations. This is often done to maintain market control or to maximize profits at the expense of consumers.

Understanding collusion is important in the realm of professional selling because engaging in such practices can result in severe legal consequences and harm a company's reputation. Awareness of the regulations surrounding competition is crucial for sales professionals to ensure their strategies comply with legal standards and contribute to fair marketplace practices.