---
title: "Why Buy?"
description: "Small teams research an assigned company or product, build a concise sales pitch, and present it to the room. The full group evaluates persuasive strategies and notes practical takeaways."
last_updated: "2026-09-07"
canonical: "https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/why-buy-free-energiser/"
---

# Why Buy?

Small teams research an assigned company or product, build a concise sales pitch, and present it to the room. The full group evaluates persuasive strategies and notes practical takeaways.

**Time:** 50 minutes. Expanded to 50 minutes to accommodate the source's 20-minute research block, presentation rounds for up to 6 teams, and a structured debrief.
**People:** 4 to 24. Teams of 3 or 4 participants; where total headcount leaves an indivisible remainder (such as 5, 7, or 17), form one team of 5 or allow pairs. Up to 6 teams pitch to the whole room in sequence.

## Choose this exercise

**Purpose:** Analyze real-world product appeal and practice delivering an audience-focused pitch.
**Use it when:** Use in sales, marketing, or communication workshops when participants need rapid practice structuring a persuasive value proposition.
**Skip it when:** Skip when participants lack internet access or devices for quick product research, or when the group needs an introspective, low-speaking session.

## Materials and tools

- 1 sheet of flipchart paper per team
- 2 marker pens per team
- Laptops, tablets, or smartphones with internet access (at least 1 device per team)
- 1 timer or countdown clock visible to the room
- Pre-assigned list of companies or everyday products (printed on cards or written on a board)
- Notebook paper or sticky notes for individual takeaways

## Before participants arrive

1. Print the prepared list of products or companies onto individual cards for distribution, or write them clearly on a board for assignment.
2. Check that room Wi-Fi is active and accessible.
3. Distribute flipchart paper and markers to each team work area.

## Say this to open

Welcome. Each team will receive a specific product or company. You have 20 minutes to research what makes it stand out, identify who would want it, and draft a two-minute sales pitch. Focus on answering one core question for your buyer: why should they buy this? After research, every team will pitch, followed by quick feedback from the room.

## How to run it

### 1. Form teams and assign products (3 minutes)

Divide participants into teams of 3 to 4. For counts like 5, 7, or 17, allow a team of 5 or a pair so everyone participates. Hand one product card to each team from the prepared materials. Confirm every team has at least one working research device, markers, and flipchart paper.

### 2. Research and build pitch (20 minutes)

Start the 20-minute countdown. Teams research their assigned subject, define their target audience, identify key benefits, and write a 2-minute pitch on their flipchart. For example, a team assigned a commuter bicycle company might focus on fuel savings, durability, and urban parking ease rather than technical gear ratios. Give a 5-minute and 1-minute warning.

### 3. Deliver pitches and peer feedback (18 minutes)

Bring the room together. Call on each team in sequence to deliver their 2-minute pitch. After each pitch, invite 1 quick observation or question from peers (up to 45 seconds). With up to 6 teams, this runs approximately 16 to 18 minutes. Keep time strictly.

### 4. Debrief and takeaway notes (9 minutes)

Lead a whole-group discussion using the debrief prompts. Limit vocal responses to 3 or 4 contributors, keeping each contribution under 1 minute. Conclude by giving everyone 2 minutes of quiet time to write down personal takeaways or reminders about persuasive pitching strategies.


## Debrief questions

- Which pitch strategy made a product seem most appealing to you as a buyer, and why?
- What common elements distinguished the clearest sales pitches from the rest?
- What is one tactic from today that you will use in your own communication or sales work?

**Finished output:** Each team produces a written flipchart pitch outline and delivers a spoken pitch; every participant writes down individual takeaways or reminders about persuasive pitching strategies.

## Remote

Run via video platform with breakout rooms. Assign each breakout room a digital whiteboard or shared slide and an assigned company. Teams research and draft their pitch online for 20 minutes. Reassemble in the main room; each team shares their screen or camera for their 2-minute pitch. Audience members submit questions and feedback in the chat.

## Hybrid

Form fully in-person pods and fully remote pods where numbers allow, or pair remote participants via individual video terminals at dedicated tables. Ensure remote teams share slides while in-person teams display flipcharts on camera. Moderate chat and in-room hands alternately during pitch feedback and debrief.

## Access and participation choices

- Teams may divide roles freely into researcher, writer, timekeeper, or speaker so no individual is required to present aloud.
- Participants may pass on speaking during pitch delivery or the debrief and instead contribute notes or written feedback.
- Provide large printouts of assigned product profiles if screen-based web research is inaccessible for any participant.

## If the session gets stuck

**A team spends all 20 minutes reading details and runs out of time to structure the pitch.**

Give a 10-minute mid-point prompt instructing teams to stop researching and spend the remaining 10 minutes drafting their key buyer benefits.

**Pitches run over the 2-minute limit, threatening debrief time.**

Hold up a 30-second warning card during each pitch and call time firmly at 2 minutes, transitioning immediately to peer feedback.

**A team feels stuck or overwhelmed trying to summarize a complex company.**

Prompt them to pick exactly one core customer profile and state the single biggest problem the product solves for that customer.


## Terms used here

- Sales pitch: A brief, persuasive presentation aimed at convincing an audience to purchase a product or service.

## Participant material: Sample Product Assignment Cards

Option 1: Foldable electric commuter bicycle.
Option 2: Reusable stainless steel insulated water bottle with built-in filter.
Option 3: Subscription meal kit delivery focusing on 15-minute weeknight dinners.
Option 4: Cloud-based team task tracker designed for small non-profits.
Option 5: Ergonomic office desk chair made entirely from ocean-bound recycled plastic.
Option 6: Noise-canceling wireless headphones built for open-plan offices.

## Sources and adaptation

Observed on TrainerBubble under the title Why Buy? Free Energiser. The source materials provide instructions and objectives without identifying an individual creator.

The original TrainerBubble energiser prescribes 3 to 4 person teams, an assigned company or product, a 20-minute research and pitch creation period, group presentations with feedback, a review discussion, and individual written reminders. UWT expanded total session length to 50 minutes to allow adequate time for up to 6 teams to present and debrief, added structured pitch time caps (2 minutes), resolved team arithmetic across odd counts from 4 to 24, created sample product cards, and provided explicit access choices.

[TrainerBubble](https://www.trainerbubble.com/downloads/why-buy-free-energiser)

[TrainerBubble](https://www.trainerbubble.com/downloads/why-buy-free-energiser/?currency=USD)

Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/why-buy-free-energiser/