Why Your CRM Needs an Approval Wingman
Let's be real - CRMs are where good processes go to die. Sales teams add leads without vetting them. Marketing uploads unqualified contacts. Client records get updated without anyone double-checking. Folk's slick interface makes it easy to collect data, but who's making sure that data's actually approved?
That's where ApproveThis comes in like a bouncer with a clipboard. We don't just "integrate" - we turn Folk into a self-policing machine that automatically enforces your approval rules. New client added? Trigger an approval chain. Contact info changed? Require verification. Deal size over $50K? Escalate to execs.
The Nuts and Bolts of the Integration
Through Zapier, ApproveThis becomes Folk's quality control department. Here's how it works without getting technical:
Trigger: Something happens in Folk (new company, updated contact, etc.) → Action: ApproveThis fires up an approval workflow with the right people → Result: Approved? Update Folk automatically. Denied? Flag it and notify everyone.
The magic sauce? Approvers don't need Folk licenses. Your client's procurement team can approve vendor additions via email without ever logging into your CRM. Try that with your current setup.
Real-World Use Cases That Don't Suck
1. Client Onboarding That Doesn't Embarrass You
Marketing agencies: When sales adds a new company in Folk, auto-trigger compliance checks. Is the client on the sanctions list? Does their industry match your focus? ApproveThis can:
- Route to legal via calculated fields if contract value >$100K
- Auto-approve repeat clients below $10K
- Escalate to CFO if payment terms are wonky
Without this: Junior sales rep onboard a cannabis startup despite your fintech focus. Oops.
2. Contact Updates That Don't Spread Lies
HR teams: When someone updates a C-suite exec's details in Folk, require proof. ApproveThis can:
- Make uploads require new email/phone verification
- Route LinkedIn profile changes to their EA
- Auto-deny updates during executive blackout periods
Without this: "Why does the CEO's profile list his competitor email?!"
3. Deal Reviews That Actually Prevent Blowups
When sales pipelines hit specific thresholds in Folk, ApproveThis can:
- Require manager approval before marking deals as "closed-won"
- Trigger finance review for custom pricing
- Verify implementation capacity with delivery teams
Translation: No more $2M deals signed without anyone checking if you can deliver.
Setup That Won't Make You Want to Quit
Three steps even your least techy manager can handle:
1. Connect Folk and ApproveThis via Zapier
2. Pick your trigger (new company, contact change, etc.)
3. Set who approves what, using:
- Approval thresholds (auto-approve small changes)
- Vacation coverage (no approval limbo)
- Conditional routing (legal gets messy contracts)
Pro tip: Start with one workflow (like new vendor approvals) before going enterprise-wide.
Department-Specific Wins
Sales Teams: Stop Being Ghosted
Use Folk lead status changes to trigger approval requests. Example: When a lead moves to "Contract Sent" in Folk, ApproveThis:
- Requires manager confirmation of terms
- Checks against existing clients in your ERP
- Pings legal if non-standard clauses exist
Finance: Actually Prevent Budget Creep
Connect Folk's company records to ApproveThis' calculated fields. When a client's projected spend increases 20%+:
- Auto-flag for budget committee review
- Require updated credit checks
- Compare against quarterly forecasts
IT: Kill Shadow CRM Entries
New Folk contact from unverified domain? ApproveThis can:
- Require SSO verification
- Check against Azure Active Directory
- Limit external guest entries
Why This Isn't Just Another Integration
ApproveThis adds teeth to Folk's flexibility. Instead of just moving data, we enforce rules:
Email approvals: VPs approve $250K deals from their phones without learning Folk.
Real-time tracking: See which Folk updates are stuck in approval limbo.
Audit trails: Prove to auditors that yes, someone actually approved that sketchy client.
The Bottom Line
Folk keeps your contacts tidy. ApproveThis keeps them honest. Together, they turn your CRM from a data graveyard into an actual system of record that:
- Prevents embarrassing client additions
- Stops unauthorized data changes
- Automates compliance without the headache
Ready to stop playing cleanup? Get ApproveThis or schedule a 10-minute demo. We'll show how to make Folk actually work for your team instead of against it.
Integrate with folk Integration and get 90 days of ApproveThis for free.
After you create a Zapier integration, please email us at support@approve-this.com with your account name and we'll add 3 months of ApproveThis to your account. Limit one redemption per account.
Learn More
Best Approval Workflows for folk
Suggested workflows (and their Zapier components) for folk
Create approval requests for new companies added in folk
Need a streamlined approval process for new company additions? This integration helps by automatically creating an approval request in ApproveThis whenever a new company is added to your group in folk, ensuring every new client is vetted and approved promptly.
Zapier Components
Trigger
Company Added
Triggers when a new company is created or added to a group.
Action
Create Request
Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.
Update companies in folk when approval requests are completed in ApproveThis
Streamline your company update process by automatically updating company records in folk when related approval requests are completed in ApproveThis. Ensure your records are current and verified without manual data entry.
Zapier Components
Trigger
A Request Is Approved/Denied
Triggers when a request is approved or denied.
Action
Update Company
Update a contact Company in your folk group.
Generate approval requests for updated personnel in folk
Keep your personnel records accurate and approved by generating an approval request in ApproveThis whenever personal details of individuals in folk are updated. Ensures all updates undergo necessary scrutiny and approval.
Zapier Components
Trigger
Person Updated
Triggers when a person basic field (like first name, job title, email or URL) in a group is updated.
Action
Create Request
Creates a new request, probably with input from previous steps.
Create persons in folk for new approval request workflows in ApproveThis
Start managing contacts efficiently by creating a new person in folk every time a new approval request workflow is initiated in ApproveThis. This helps in auto-updating your contact list with individuals involved in approval processes.
Zapier Components
Trigger
New Request
Triggers when a new approval request workflow is initiated.
Action
Create Person
Create a new contact Person in your folk group.
