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.
India's First Gamified Coaching Platform
walnut.coach is one of India's first gamified coaching platforms, trusted by leading organizations worldwide. We combine behavioral science, psychology, and proprietary mental model games to deliver coaching programs that actually stick.
With a team of ICF-accredited coaches and a track record spanning 50+ companies — including Paytm, Godrej, Reliance, and Barclays — we've built a reputation for turning abstract development goals into measurable, lasting outcomes.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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 Program
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.
Our Delivery Process
From first conversation to post-session follow-through, every walnut.coach engagement follows a structured, human-centered process.
Discovery
Understanding the organization's culture, challenges, and employee profile
Custom Design
Tailoring program content, examples, and exercises to the team
Delivery
Interactive, gamified workshop with real-time engagement tools
Commitment
Each participant leaves with a personal action to implement immediately
Follow-Through
Ongoing coaching support available for deeper individual growth
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