GROUP DISCUSSION

What is a Group Discussion (GD)?

It is a group activity carried out by participating individuals. It is a technique or a method used for screening candidates as well as testing their potential. It is also designed as a situation test wherein a sample of a candidate's group worthiness and potential as a worker is analyzed.

FEATURES OF A GD

It is an exchange of ideas among the individuals of a group on a specific topic. It is a formal discussion in which participants of the same educational standard discuss a topic of current interest. It is also known as leaderless discussion with 8-10 participants. No one will participate or intervene in the discussions of the group.

WHAT IS TESTED IN A GD?

Communication Skills. Knowledge and ideas regarding a given subject. Knowledge and power of expression. Exchange of thoughts. Addressing the group as a whole. Capability to co-ordinate and lead. Openness and flexibility towards new ideas.

HOW IS THE PERFORMANCE JUDGED?

One who expresses his ideas well. One who shows keenness and interest. One who has sufficient knowledge of his subject and convinces the group by his argumentative presentation. One who has a logical and systematic approach.

TYPES OF GDs

Factual topics

Topics are about practical things. Might be current topics and aims at testing the candidates awareness about his/her environment. Ex: The education policy of India, Tourism in India.

Controversial topics

Topics are argumentative in nature . Analyzes the candidates ability to keep his/her temper in check and argue his point of view without getting personal and emotional. Ex: Reservations should be removed, Women make better managers.

Abstract topics

Topics are about intangible things. These topics test the candidates lateral thinking and creativity. Ex: A is an alphabet.

Abstract topic given to IIM

ELEMENTS OF A GD

Initiation Techniques
Summarization/ Conclusion

INITIATION TECHNIQUES

It is a high profit-high loss strategy. The initiator grabs the attention of the examiner and the fellow candidates. Initiate one and only if you have in-depth knowledge about the topic at hand. Poor communication or wrong facts and figures might damage the image.

QUOTES

Ex: Customer is King. - There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company.

DEFINITION

Advertising is a Diplomatic Way of Telling a Lie. Start with the definition of advertising.

QUESTION

It means asking a question, and answering it yourself. Ex: Should India go to war with Pakistan? - 'What does war bring to the people of a nation? We have had four clashes with Pakistan.

SHOCK STATEMENT

Ex: The Impact of Population on the Indian Economy. - There are 33 births a minute in India which calculates to about 12 million every year. That is roughly the size of Australia. As a current political slogan puts it, 'Nothing's impossible when 1 billion Indians work together'.

FACTS, FIGURES AND STATISTICS

China, a Rising Tiger. - 'In 1983, when China was still in its initial stages of reform and opening up, China's real use of Foreign Direct Investment only stood at $636 million. China actually utilized $60 billion of FID in 2004, which is almost 100 times that of its 1983 statistics.

SHORT STORY

Ex: Attitude is Everything. - 'A child once asked a balloon vendor, who was selling helium gas-filled balloons, whether a blue-colored balloon will go as high in the sky as a green-colored balloon. The balloon vendor told the child, it is not the color of the balloon but what is inside it that makes it go high.

GENERAL STATEMENT

Should Sonia Gandhi be the prime minister of India? Instead of saying yes or no, one can actually start saying, lets first analyze the qualities required to become a PM and then associate it with Sonia Gandhi.

SUMMARIZATION / CONCLUSION
The whole group decides in favor or against the topic. One can summarize what the group has discussed in the GD in a nutshell.

HOW TO START PARTICIPATING?

INITIATOR
Opportunity missed?

INTERFERE POLITELY AND PRESENT MORE INFORMATION

Opportunity missed?

PRESENTING ONES OWN VIEWS

Opportunity missed?

ELABORATE THE IDEAS OF OTHERS

Opportunity missed?

SUMMARIZE THE DISCUSSION

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A GD?

Reading

Mocks
Listening

DOs AND DONTs IN A GD

DOs

Speak pleasantly and politely to the group. Respect the contribution of every speaker. Remember that a discussion is not an argument. Learn to disagree politely. Think about your contribution before you speak. How best can you answer the question/ contribute to the topic?

DOs CONT.

Try to stick to the discussion topic. Don't introduce irrelevant information. Be aware of your body language when you are speaking. Agree with and acknowledge what you find interesting. Stick to the duration of time.

DONTs

Do not lose your temper. A discussion is not an argument. Do not shout. Use a moderate tone and medium pitch. Do not use too many gestures when you speak. Gestures like finger pointing and table thumping can appear aggressive.

DONTs CONT.

Do not dominate the discussion. Confident speakers should allow quieter students a chance to contribute. Do not draw too much on personal experience or anecdote. Do not interrupt. Wait for a speaker to finish what they are saying before you speak.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

Don't ever make the mistake of addressing the panel members. The quality and not the quantity of your contribution is the success factor. Do not directly put someone who is consistently silent on the spot by asking him/her to speak up.

CONT.

Keep track of time but do not look at your watch very frequently. Carry a piece of paper and a pen, if allowed. Do not ask the moderator to explain the topic, if you do not understand it. Demonstrate your creativity and originality but make sure it is relevant to the topic.

CONT.

If you have to use technical terms, do not use abbreviations. Insensitivity to others feelings displays a lack of maturity and viciousness. Command over English is certainly advantageous but will not compensate for lack of good content.

CONT.

You should try and participate at least 4 times with each entry lasting at least 25-30 seconds. It is best to avoid using slang. You will have to stick to English language. Be alert throughout the discussion.

CONT.

What do I do if someone else has already said what I wanted to say?

Agree with the point made by that person and add on to it with your own views. Drop the point and think of fresh points.

THANK YOU

GD TOPICS

Quality is what satisfies the customer.

GD TOPICS

Education in India-or the lack of it.

GD TOPICS

Is it ETHICAL to reject Pakistan players from IPL teams?

GD TOPICS

Is China a threat to India?

GD TOPICS

Showing Violence and Crimes should not be allowed in films and on television.

GD TOPICS

Managerial skills learnt in the classroom can never match those learnt from experience.