Sai Kumar Swamy, PGDM, IIM Bangalore

Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd.

TIME
. . . .

Group Discussion
Why GD? Group Discussion

vs. Public Speaking vs. Elocution vs. Extempore vs. Debate

Me Vs Them

TIME
. . .

Types of Group Discussion

GDs

Topicbased

Casebased

Article/Film based

TIME
. . .

Types of Group Discussion

Topic-based

Knowledge-based

Abstract

TIME
. . .

GD: Sub-types
Knowledge-based
Economic

Cases

Political
Social Cultural / Sports Technological

Business

HR

Social

Types of Group Discussion

Case-based

Case Study

Role Play

Group Task

TIME
. . .

Basics
Group Size Seating Arrangement: any good seat? Time Allotted Moderator: Role & Communication Start & finish of a discussion Addressing Group Members Variations appoint a leader, rotating leadership, everybody speaks for one minute

TIME
. . .

Performance Parameters
Content Group Behavior

Communication

Leadership

TIME
. . .

Scoring marks in a GD
Knowledge-based
Subject Knowledge Idea Generation Introduce original points not mentioned by others Build others point by - providing a rationale / logic - quoting examples / statistics Provide counter-point - rationale / logic / statistics / data that show the opposite / different conclusion
Most Important Factor

TIME
. . .

No marks given for repeating what somebody else says BUILD ON IT!

Scoring marks in a GD
Process-based - 1
Confidence Logical flow of argument Simple, short, easy to understand sentence construction Effective voice modulation / tone and emphasis for good impact Pleasant, friendly participation Positive Body Language Assertive

TIME
. . .

Scoring marks in a GD
Process-based..2
Eye contact with all group members when you speak Listening actively when others speak Speak only when you have a point to convey Adult-adult communication Gently bring the discussion back on rails if it is drifting Request group to allow those to contribute who were cut down earlier Succeed in bringing back normalcy after chaos Building rapport with the group

TIME
. . .

Scoring marks in a GD
To repeat, they want
Thought Clarity Efficiency & Effectiveness of Communication Open to new ideas Comfort with multi-polarity of views Integrative vs. reactive approach Positive-sum approach Providing direction Facilitate full exploration of all facets of topic/case

TIME
. . .

More is not necessarily better - Clarity in Communication

Taboos

No radical thoughts Dont articulate any gender / caste / class / race bias Dont ask questions during the GD Dont directly negate others point how can you say that?, You are wrong, you dont know etc. No touching others No blocking others view No pointing fingers No personal anecdotes as data No emotions, please No shouting or sarcasm

TIME
. . .

FAQs

FAQs..1
Are we asked to introduce ourselves .. The first to start the discussion Language to be used in a discussion Moderator has gone missing

Selecting a seat during a GD

Jotting down of topics/points . How do I address other group members..

TIME
. . .

FAQs..2
Group is asked to select the topic If a group member makes a point that I dont

agree with, can I prove that he is wrong? Others are using wrong statistics There is total fish market I am being cut-off each time I start If somebody does not speak, can I ask her to speak? Should I be the first speaker

TIME
. . .

FAQs ..3

Taking a stand vis--vis the topic If I have a soft voice How to get into the discussion If I am not noticed while speaking I dont know about the topic I know the topic, but others dont ... All others are supporting one side, can I speak from the other side?

TIME
. . .

FAQs..4
More than one person is speaking at a time Cartelization ?? Responding to ones point, should I directly speak to him

alone ? How do I address the group? If time is almost over, can I summarize? How to write a summary / conclusion of GD? I have not participated in GDs, so I feel nervous. How I do I improve?

TIME
. . .

Idea Generation
Common Problem
I have very little knowledge about the subject, how do I conceal it effectively?
Manager

Idea Generation
Key Word Approach (KWA)
Viewpoint of Affected Parties (VAP) SPELT

TIME
. . .

Key Word Approach

Excessive exposure of the female anatomy in advertising should be banned
Excessive Exposure Advertising
What is exposure? How can excessive /adequate be defined? Excessive exposure is differently understood from place to place, time to time. How does it affect the viewers? What will be impact on various categories of viewers say children? Types of advertising Purpose of advertising What is good / effective advertising? Why females are used in advertising? When are females effective in advertising? Is exposure essential for ads of some products?

Ban
Is it not a very strong action? Implementation issues of the ban? Is it correct in a democratic society? Did it help in case of other things that were banned like alcohol consumption?

TIME
. . .

Viewpoint of Affected Parties Excessive exposure of the female anatomy in

advertising should be banned
Audience : (Viewers, Readers, Parents, Children )

Advertisers :

(From the perspective of the Product companies)

Advertising Agencies : (From the perspective of the Advertising agencies ) Models : (From the perspective of the earning potential of models)

SPELT
Implications
Socio-cultural Political Economic / Ethical Legal Technological

TIME
. . .

SPELT Contd..

Excessive exposure of the female anatomy in advertising should be banned

Socio - Cultural: Our culture & traditions, Family set-up, Values & related issues Political : Political will to implement the ban, impact on vote-banks Economic : Adverse effect on revenue of advertising agencies, Loss of livelihood of advertising models.. Legal : Affected parties seeking legal recourse, current legal situation, ASCI, self-censorship, role of censor.. Technological : How to implement ban on satellite channels / internet / sms ?

TIME
. . .

TIME
. . . .

Case Study..1

Case Facts
- Key players & their motivation - Resources & Constraints - Parameters for decision-making - Understand key facts well - Assumptions / Incomplete information

Case Study..2
Frame-work for Analysis
Problem Identification: Symptoms vs. Problem

Viable Alternatives Criteria for Evaluation to decide best option Evaluation of options Action plan ST / LT Contingency Plan / Sensitivity Analysis

Case Study..3
Approaches for Analysis
KWA: Case should be seen as a short RC passage. Pay attention to key words. VAP: Possibly the most important approach SPELT: Useful in checking the impact of choosing various options

Case Study..4
What makes Case Studies Different
Answer / Solution: Cases do not have any right answer. Process of finding the best solution is more important than the solution itself. Cases bring out hidden personal biases so be on your guard! Participants tend to become more emotional in case studies than other type of GD. Knowledge of participants becomes less relevant in a case study

GD Topics
Should use of performance enhancing drugs in sports be legalised The test of a successful man is not an ability to eliminate the problem

before it exists, but to meet and resolve it whenever it arises Good economics is bad politics Good things always start from good thinking Faith is to believe what you do now yet see, reward for faith is to see what you believe Business and Ethics dont go together If you find yourself on the side of majority, it is time to reform People sitting get more pay than standing up Morality is the creation of the weak to deter and limit the strong Education is a progressive way of discovering your ignorance