Business Simulation Program
How walnut.coach helped Tata Steel's Tubes division — part of the Tata Group, India's largest steel company — transform their Excel-based business simulation into an engaging, web-based learning experience for new employees.
- CustomSimulation
- Web-BasedBuild
- FresherOnboarding
- SeriousGame Design
A Powerful Learning Tool Trapped in the Wrong Medium
An Excel Simulation That Couldn't Scale — The business simulation was conceptually strong — but its Excel format created friction for facilitators, made visual design and engagement near-impossible, and limited the scenarios that could be delivered. It needed to become something employees would genuinely enjoy.
Ease of Use Was Holding Learning Back
The Excel format required significant facilitator support and technical familiarity, limiting who could run the simulation and when.
User Experience Was Minimal
Without visual design or intuitive UX, new employees engaged with the simulation as a spreadsheet exercise — not as an immersive industry introduction.
Digital & Hybrid Delivery Was Impossible
The in-person Excel format couldn't be adapted for remote or hybrid sessions. Tata Steel needed flexibility across in-person, digital, and hybrid modes.
Web-Based Business Simulation
A complete transformation of the learning experience — converting Excel into an intuitive, visually engaging browser-based simulation that delivers commercial awareness through immersive play.
- Discovery& Observation
- Web-BasedDesign Build
- Deployment& Facilitation
- Our walnut.coach team observed the live business simulation in action
- Deep observation and follow-up discussions with the Tata Steel team
- Thorough understanding of simulation mechanics, objectives, and participant experience
- Proactive mock-up screens created before formal commissioning
- Demonstrating genuine commitment and design quality upfront
What made this work
Three core principles shaped how we approached this transformation — ensuring that the final product was both beautiful to use and owned by Tata Steel long-term.
- 1
Proactive Before Formal
By creating mock-up screens before being formally commissioned, walnut.coach demonstrated the kind of ownership and initiative that the project itself was designed to develop in Tata Steel’s employees.
- 2
Design for the Learner First
Every design decision prioritised the experience of a new Tata Tubes employee. The simulation had to feel engaging and intuitive — not like another induction task to complete.
- 3
Built to Last and Scale
The web-based platform was built to be maintainable, updatable, and deployable without constant technical intervention — ensuring Tata Steel would own the tool, not depend on external support forever.
“When the walnut.coach team walked in with mock-up screens before we'd even signed anything, we knew we were working with people who genuinely cared about what we were building. The final simulation was everything we hoped it would be.”
What changed after the programme
The web-based simulation transformed how Tata Steel introduced new employees to the Tubes business — creating a learning experience that was both enjoyable and commercially impactful.
A Simulation Employees Actually Enjoyed
New employees engaged with the web-based simulation as a genuine game experience — not a training obligation. Commercial awareness developed naturally through play.
Easier Facilitation at Scale
Facilitators could now run sessions independently, in-person or digitally, without needing technical support — dramatically expanding where and how the simulation could be used.
Creative, Problem-Solving Mindset from Day One
New joiners developed business acumen, commercial thinking, and decision-making confidence in the simulation before facing real market challenges — starting their careers better prepared.
Better Cross-Team Collaboration
The simulation's collaborative mechanics meant new employees built peer relationships and team communication skills while learning about the Tubes business — two outcomes for the price of one.
From first call to follow-through
Every Walnut engagement follows the same five steps, run by ICF-credentialed coaches.
- 1
Discovery
Understanding the organisation's culture, challenges and people
- 2
Custom design
Tailoring content, examples and exercises to the team
- 3
Delivery
An interactive, gamified session with real-time engagement
- 4
Commitment
Each participant leaves with one action to try straight away
- 5
Follow-through
Ongoing coaching for deeper individual growth
What HR sees in the app
Ready to build a thriving team?
Your programme starts with a conversation. Book a 30-minute call, or try the 7-minute game first.