When selling isn't selling or is it?

Today I was posed with an idea from my principal to call upon my clients about this new product they were developing to see if they understood the need for it the way we did, or to simplify... they might buy it one day. It seemed reasonable for me to talk to my clients about new technologies and understand their needs, and in the process I'd get a better understanding of the market out there. The problem I was wrestling with was, was this a good use of my time for my customers or principal? I felt I'd be well suited to take on the task; talk to my clients, probe them about their strategies understand their needs. sounds like what I do all day... But something hit me that I wasn't really doing my principal any favors and it sounded like a "why don't you phone and tell me what you find out" project. Is this a good use of my time? Does this belong in sales?
Here's what I know: the art of sales is to take a candidate and move them from Prospect to Client for some mutual benefit for client and salesperson, and the principal owner of the goods. This is overly simplified but anything else is not selling.
You may; as part of this process perform additional work that may be useful, or form part of a series milestones in the process, but again if you aren't moving a person from Prospect to Client you aren't selling. So on one hand making calls to clients to see if they are likely to buy something they aren't qualified for might be a bad use of time. To argue the other side of this; this type of task would be useful to use it as practise. Imagine if you are able to try to sell goods to unqualified people only to learn along the way and refine your process so when you discover a qualified candidate you are much better at your job. Especially practise on people that are likely to take your call as they know you already, and won't stop taking your call when they've decided what you are selling they aren't buying. Good point! My conclusion is; if you in the course of your conversations with clients sell to them and also practise selling, I think both can be accomplished. Be honest with you client and mention you need to be ready to sell an emerging product, and can you ask them a few questions to help you. Afterwards say thank you, and ask if they know someone that may be interested to buy something like that. That way you will have a lead, referral, and have practised selling already.