About GD

[sathish]

Group Discussion
Group Discussion, commonly referred to as GD has become an inseparable part of admission to MBA institutes and campus placements. GD is a many-on-many discussion used to establish certain traits in the candidates. These are the traits that the employers like to see in their employees and institutes like to see in budding MBAs and students in other streams. As we think about appearing in a GD, most of us have queries that revolve around its various stages. This session is an attempt to put your queries to rest and help you succeed in the GD and finally get placed in a good company or join a institute of your choice.

Group Discussion - Preparation tips
As you fill up a form for admission to an MBA institute or hear that a good company is coming to your college for campus recruitment, you think about the group discussion that you will have to clear to reach the next round of Personal Interview. Here are the answers to the questions you might have at this stage:
Why do companies or institutes conduct Group Discussion?
Companies or institutes conduct GD to find out which are the intelligent and smart candidates who have a sound knowledge and personal skills to handle any situation.
How should I prepare for the Group Discussion?
Your preparation for GD has to be broken down into two parts:
Subject knowledge: Your subject knowledge during the GD can’t be replaced by anything else. Read voraciously on all subjects to have good ideas. Following could be your sources of information:
 News Papers
 Magazines
 News Portals/Internet
 TV

As you read, keep taking down the points on different subjects.
Developing soft skills

Along side your subject knowledge, you will have to develop your soft skills to carry yourself out properly during the GD. This needs a work on your communication skills, listening skills, body gestures.
How do I improve my communication skills?
Good communication would ensure that you are able to put across your ideas in a short time during the limited time. It will also ensure that the group remains supportive to you.
To improve your communication skills, read books on communication and general subjects. This will improve your vocabulary and give you ideas to speak effectively. Pick up good phrases and use them in your day to day discussion with friends and colleagues. Be polite in your conversation and let the other person finish speaking before you take up. Disagreeing politely is an art which you must have. You can use phrases like:
I am sorry but I think I disagree with you a bit here, I have a slightly different opinion here, you have a good point but I think there’s another side to it.
Read loudly at times to make your pronunciation and voice clear.
Can I speak in a regional language during the Group Discussion?
No. In a GD you are expected to speak in English only.


What will be the duration of the Group Discussion?
A GD normally lasts for 15-20 minutes.
How many members will be there in the Group Discussion?
A GD normally has 8-15 members.
Can we seek evaluator’s help during the Group Discussion?
No. It is for the group members to conduct the GD. The evaluators are spectators who are there to rate you. You should not speak to the evaluators or look at them during the GD.
Can I carry a paper and a pen along with me?
Most of the times, you should be allowed to carry a paper and a pen with you. Check it with the organizers before entering into the GD room.
Can I carry my mobile phone with me?
Please make sure your mobile phone is switched off or kept on silence.
Will we be given time to prepare on the subject before speaking?
Usually the group members are given 2-5 minutes to put their thoughts together on the announced subject, before speaking.
How many times should I speak during the Group Discussion?
Quality matters more in a GD than quantity. Speak to the point and give others a chance to speak. A short entry of 25-30 seconds 3-4 times during the discussion is enough.
Should I address other group member by name or number?
It will be difficult for you to remember the names of all the members correctly in a short time. Rather than concentrating on remembering names, it will be good if you concentrate on the ideas you want to put across. You can refer your group members by ‘You’, ‘He’, ‘Him’.
How is aggression rated in the Group Discussion?
Aggression to the extent that the group turns hostile is bad. Its always good to stay assertive and polite.
Are we expected to keep a track of time or the evaluators will do that?
Being aware of time won’t hurt but don’t let it distract your participation in the GD.
Are we expected to argue during the Group Discussion?
GD is a discussion and not a debate where you are expected to prove your point right. Avoid arguing in the GD.



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What should I do if I don’t understand the topic properly? Should I ask the evaluators to explain?
If you do not understand or know the subject well, it is a better idea to let other start speaking. As you understand the subject make an entry into the discussion. Don’t ask evaluators to explain the subject.
Can I raise my voice during the Group Discussion?
Avoid raising voice to a level where it can be treated as shouting.
Would presenting facts help during the Group Discussion?
Presenting facts does help but over adding the facts would be nauseating for the group and a show off of your ego. Present the facts as accurately as possible. If you are asked to name the Union territories in India, you should get them all right but at the same time if you are asked about the turn over of IT industry in the country an error of 5% is acceptable
The other members have spoken all the points I want to speak. What should I do?
This can happen if you speak late in the GD. Try to speak within first five minutes of 20 minutes long GD If others have spoken all that you wanted to speak, all you can do is:
 Drop that point and think some thing else
 Add some elaboration to the already spoken point and broaden the scope of the GD.
Should I encourage other members to speak?
Do not pressurize other members to speak if they are not willing to. By doing this you might put them up in an embarrassing situation. If you see that a member is trying to speak but is not able to than you can encourage and help him.
I am not getting a chance to speak, what should I do?
Get into the discussion by politely saying that I think I have a different point of view here, if you disagree with the speaker or by saying Yes, I think you have a point here. I would like to add some further information here.


Group Discussion Tips :

Speak enough and effectively

Speaking is important for being noticed but speaking too much is not recommended. It is also not advisable to be totally quiet. It is important to make sure the statements you make are concise and to the point so think before you shoot out your words. You don't want to give the wrong impression by making statements that are not clear and you don’t want to reflect thoughts contrary to your belief either. So be careful about what and how much you speak.

Do not be over assertive or disrespectful

Never ridicule the comments or ideas of others. If you disagree with a statement made by another member, voice your disagreement in mature, respectful way. Instead of saying "that doesn't make any sense," say "I don't know if I agree. Could you elaborate?" This will not be as offensive as the other statement. On the other hand, if you do not allow others to speak or cut them down incessantly or speak rudely or sarcastically, you are likely to be perceived as disrespectful and arrogant and no one wants disrespectful and arrogant students in their college.

Listen before you react

In a group discussion, listening to the others views and assimilating what they have to say is as important as speaking out. If you speak out something without understanding the other person’s views, you are bound to come across as foolish and stupid. So listen carefully to where the discussion is going and then react.

Don’t speak for the heck of it

Speaking more is not considered smart but is looked at as attention gathering technique. You will be appreciated more for speaking sense rather then speaking more. So stay away from the habit of speaking for the heck of it.

Avoid conflict statements

Avoiding conflict in a group discussion is crucially important. Once a conflict has started, it is very difficult to control it. Everyone is different and will have strong beliefs about a topic that may differ from others. That does not mean you go all out and bash others for their different views. Never tell a member of the group that they are wrong. Instead, disagree with them by using phrases such as "it may be better to...." or "may be we should do it this way?" You are there to make it through the campus interview process and not to change a person’s thinking style. So stick to your goals!

Tackle trouble with tact

If someone is trying to argue with you just to pull you down, dismiss the argument with a smile and a firm statement. Say something like, “I respect you for your view but don’t really adhere to it” or something like, “I like the passion with which you believe in your views but I would still like to stick to my opinion. Maybe we both are right.” The idea is to try and end an argument politely so as not to make it a one to one verbal bashing match.Always remember be precise, be comprehensive, be focused on the issue and you will be able to hit the nail.





Maximum scoring points are given for:
 Knowledge base.
 Alertness and presence of mind
 Communication
 Confidence
 Leadership without being too agressive
 Listening Skills
 Team Skills
 Goal Orientation
 Discussion Initiation
 Keeping discussion on track and not wandering from the topic
 Concluding on time
 Your capability of keeping cool and listen and putting your points across
 Eye Contact
 Reasoning
 Initiative
 Assertiveness
 Flexibility
 Creativity
 Ability to think
 Body Language
 Gives others a chance to speak
 Ability to work in a team
 Maintains unity

Its mainly to judge how good a team player you are in terms of leadership skills, communication skills etc.



Do's and Don'ts of Group Discussion
Be as natural as possible. Do not try and be someone you are not. Be yourself.

A group discussion is your chance to be more vocal. The evaluator wants to hear you speak.

Take time to organize your thoughts. Think of what you are going to say.

Seek clarification if you have any doubts regarding the subject.

Don't start speaking until you have clearly understood and analyzed the subject.
Work out various strategies to help you make an entry: initiate the discussion or agree with someone else's point and then move onto express your views.

Opening the discussion is not the only way of gaining attention and recognition. If you do not give valuable insights during the discussion, all your efforts of initiating the discussion will be in vain.

Your body language says a lot about you - your gestures and mannerisms are more likely to reflect your attitude than what you say.

Language skills are important only to the effect as to how you get your points across clearly and fluently.

Be assertive not dominating; try to maintain a balanced tone in your discussion and analysis.

Don't lose your cool if anyone says anything you object to. The key is to stay objective: Don't take the discussion personally.

Always be polite: Try to avoid using extreme phrases like: 'I strongly object' or 'I disagree'. Instead try phrases like: 'I would like to share my views on...' or 'One difference between your point and mine...'

Brush up on your leadership skills; motivate the other members of the team to speak (this surely does not mean that the only thing that you do in the GD is to say "let us hear what the young lady with the blue dress has to say," or "Raghu, let us hear your views" - Essentially be subtle), and listen to their views. Be receptive to others' opinions and do not be abrasive or aggressive.

If you have a group of like-minded friends, you can have a mock group discussion where you can learn from each other through giving and receiving feedback.

Apart from the above points, the panel will also judge team members for their alertness and presence of mind, problem-solving abilities, ability to work as a team without alienating certain members, and creativity.
Group discussion topics
 Role of UN in peacekeeping
 BPO’s in INDIA
 How to deal with terrorism
 Corruption is the price we pay for democracy
 Beauty contests degrade womanhood
 Multinational corporations: Are they devils in disguise?
 Media is a mixed blessing/How ethical is media?
 Managerial skills learnt in the classroom can never match those learnt from experience
 Advertising is a waste of resources.
 Privatization will lead to less corruption.
 Joint family is a blessing in disguise
 Women are good managers
 Brain-Drain has to be stopped
 Water resources should be nationalized
 The role of NGOs in economics and politics
 Examinations - has it killed education?
 Should gambling be legalized?
 China market - a threat to Indian market
 Should euthanasia be legalized?
 The pros and cons of having a credit card
 Overweight air hostess are fired – shall we fire overweight policeman and physically unfit politicians?
 Parents don’t understand children
 Computer viruses are good
 Daughters are more caring than sons
 Are job opportunities high in India or abroad
 Should public sector be privatized?
 Love marriage better or arranged marriage
 Obama’s trip to India-advantages and disadvantages
 Effect of Western Culture on Indian youth
 Foreign Television Channels are destroying our culture?
 What would you prefer-Development or ITES/BPO and why?
 Education in India or the lack of it
 No one studies for MBA, everyone studies for a job
 Effects of Media