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Why "Learning by Doing" Matters More Than Ever

When leaders discuss corporate learning and development, the conversation often gravitates toward traditional training programs, mandatory sessions, and structured curricula. While these have their place, we at Twimbit have come to believe that real learning – the kind that sticks and transforms – happens when we're actively doing, creating, and sometimes even failing.

The Reality of Learning in Today's World

Let's be honest: in today's fast-paced business environment, especially in smaller companies and startups, teams don't have the luxury of spending weeks in training rooms. More importantly, they shouldn't have to. The most valuable learning happens when we're solving real problems, collaborating with diverse teams, and pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones.

Our Experiment: The Twimbit Premier League

At Twimbit, we've created something different. Instead of traditional training programs, we've built a year-long learning journey that makes growth and development an integral part of our daily work. We call it the Twimbit Premier League.

Here's how it works: Every employee is randomly assigned to one of five teams. These aren't just groups on paper – our teams create their own identities, design their logos, and build real camaraderie. Throughout the year, teams compete in various challenges that directly align with our company's future:

  • Building innovative AI projects
  • Participating in fitness activities
  • Collaborating on cross-functional initiatives
  • Solving real business problems

The magic isn't in the competition itself – it's in what happens along the way. Engineers work alongside marketers. Junior team members lead initiatives. Everyone learns about AI, innovation, and emerging technologies by actually working with them. And yes, there's a prize at the end of the year, but the real reward is the growth that happens through the journey.

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Making Learning Part of Our Weekly Rhythm

We've also introduced "Twimbit Thursdays" – a weekly 15-minute quiz session where our entire team comes together to explore the latest developments in AI and technology. It's quick, it's engaging, and most importantly, it keeps us all connected to the rapid changes in our industry. The fastest, most accurate responses win, and these victories contribute points directly to their team's standing in the Premier League. While everyone walks away having learned something new, the competitive element adds an extra layer of excitement and motivation.

The Truth About Learning

We've heard some say we don't offer enough learning opportunities. We understand this perspective – we don't have the traditional training calendar you might find at larger companies. But we want to be direct about something: learning isn't just about sitting in training sessions. It's about showing up, engaging, and taking advantage of the opportunities in front of us.

The team members who gain the most from our approach are those who dive in headfirst – who join every Twimbit Thursday quiz, who take on challenging projects in the Premier League, who volunteer to lead initiatives outside their comfort zones. They're the ones who understand that real learning happens through doing, not just through listening.

The Reality Check and Looking Forward

Let's be candid: Is this system perfect? No. Is participation where we want it to be? Not yet. But here's what we know with absolute certainty: those who are actively participating are the ones growing the most. They're gaining visibility within the organization, taking on exciting projects, and creating their own opportunities for growth. It's not coincidence – it's cause and effect.

This is a journey of continuous improvement. We'll keep refining these initiatives, making them more engaging and more impactful. But the fundamental truth remains: the most valuable learning doesn't happen in a classroom. It happens when we're in the arena, trying, failing, succeeding, and growing together.

The opportunities are there. The choice to seize them is yours. And for those who do, the rewards of growth and development will follow.

If you'd like to learn more about these programs, we welcome your interest – please reach out to us. We're particularly excited to share that in 2025, we plan to open Twimbit Thursdays to the wider community, extending our learning ecosystem beyond our organizational boundaries. Together, we can build a more engaged and knowledgeable community of learners.