11 Exciting Competition Ideas to Boost Your Team’s Product Knowledge

As a company owner or sales manager, you understand the critical importance of product knowledge. It’s the cornerstone of effective sales strategies, enabling your team to answer customer questions confidently and close deals efficiently. But, how do you make learning about products fun and engaging? This blog post presents 11 exciting competition ideas that will not only boost your team’s product knowledge but also foster a spirit of camaraderie and enthusiasm among your sales staff.

1. Product Jeopardy

Transform the classic game of Jeopardy into a product knowledge competition. Create a Jeopardy board with categories related to different product aspects such as features, benefits, competitors, pricing, and success stories.

Implementation: Split the team into small groups and assign a game facilitator. Use a PowerPoint template or an online Jeopardy tool to present questions.
Expected Outcomes: Improved recall of detailed product information.
Tips: Make sure the questions range from easy to difficult to cater to all knowledge levels.

2. Speed Selling

In Speed Selling, participants have a limited amount of time to pitch a product to the rest of the team or a panel of judges.

Implementation: Give each participant 1-2 minutes to sell a product. Use a timer and keep the selling sessions brisk.
Expected Outcomes: Enhanced ability to articulate key product points quickly and effectively.
Tips: Provide immediate feedback to help participants improve their pitches.

3. Product Scavenger Hunt

Create a fun scavenger hunt where each clue relates to a product feature or benefit.

Implementation: Place clues around the office or use an app to distribute them digitally. Form teams and have them search for clues that provide information about the product.
Expected Outcomes: Better product feature comprehension and teamwork.
Tips: Include hints in the clues to make it easier and keep the game moving.

4. Mock Sales Competition

Have team members engage in role-playing exercises where they compete to close a deal with an assigned ‘customer’.

Implementation: Set up different scenarios where team members act as customers with various needs and objections. Participants take turns selling to them.
Expected Outcomes: Improved objection handling and customer need identification.
Tips: Rotate the roles so everyone has a chance to be both the seller and the customer.

5. Product Video Competition

Encourage your team to create engaging videos about the product, focusing on different unique selling propositions.

Implementation: Set guidelines for video length and content. Allow them to use their creativity to make the videos informative and entertaining.
Expected Outcomes: Enhanced understanding and communication of product features.
Tips: Offer incentives for the best videos, such as gift cards or extra time off.

6. Product Trivia Night

Host a trivia night where questions are centered around your product’s features, history, and market position.

Implementation: Use a mix of question formats, including multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer. Divide the team into small groups and keep score.
Expected Outcomes: Increased attention to detailed product knowledge.
Tips: Add a social element with snacks and beverages to increase participation.

7. Product Knowledge Relay

This high-energy competition combines physical activity with product knowledge testing.

Implementation: Set up relay races where each team member answers a product question before passing the baton to the next runner.
Expected Outcomes: Reinforced product knowledge through repetition and teamwork.
Tips: Ensure questions vary in difficulty to challenge all levels of knowledge.

8. Mystery Shopper

Secretly assign a team member to act as a mystery shopper who will test the product knowledge of others.

Implementation: Rotate the mystery shopper role weekly. Provide feedback sessions after each interaction.
Expected Outcomes: Real-world product knowledge application and improved customer service skills.
Tips: Keep the identity of the mystery shopper confidential to maintain authenticity.

9. Digital Badge System

Create a digital badge system where team members earn badges for achieving product knowledge milestones.

Implementation: Use a platform that supports digital badging. Set clear criteria for earning each badge.
Expected Outcomes: Increased motivation through gamification and recognition.
Tips: Make the badges visible on an internal leaderboard to stimulate friendly competition.

10. Quiz Bowl

Organize a Quiz Bowl with rapid-fire questions related to your product and industry.

Implementation: Use a buzzer system for participants to respond quickly. Form teams and keep track of scores.
Expected Outcomes: Enhanced product knowledge recall and time management.
Tips: Keep the rounds short and engaging to maintain high energy levels.

11. Virtual Escape Room

Design a virtual escape room where each puzzle or clue requires product knowledge to solve.

Implementation: Use online tools that offer virtual escape room experiences. Tailor the challenges to include product-specific questions and tasks.
Expected Outcomes: Improved problem-solving skills and product knowledge.
Tips: Encourage team collaboration by including complex puzzles that require multiple inputs to solve.

What Could Go Wrong?

Ignoring the necessity of boosting your team’s product knowledge can significantly impact your business. A poorly informed sales team can lead to low customer satisfaction, increased return rates, and missed sales opportunities. The lack of enthusiasm and engagement could hinder your team’s ability to retain essential product information, ultimately affecting the bottom line.

Conclusion

Investing in your team’s product knowledge through fun and engaging competitions ensures they are well-equipped to meet customer needs and close deals effectively. These 11 competition ideas offer a variety of ways to make learning enjoyable and effective.

Use the Sqilz app to gamify your product knowledge and increase the efficiency of your salespeople. The app provides an engaging platform to keep your staff trained and sharp, ensuring they remain at the top of their game.