Group Discussion & Case Study Basics

1. Group Discussion & Case Study Basics Sai Kumar Swamy, PGDM, IIM Bangalore Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd.

2. Group Discussion • ‘Why GD? • ‘Group Discussion’ vs. Public Speaking vs. Elocution vs. Extempore vs. Debate • Me’ Vs ‘Them’

3. Types of Group Discussion

4. Topic-based Knowledge-based Abstract Types of Group Discussion

5. GD: Sub-types

6. Types of Group Discussion

7. 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

8. Performance Parameters Content Group Behavior Communication Leadership

9. Scoring marks in a GD Knowledge-based ● Subject Knowledge ● Idea Generation ● Introduce original points – not mentioned by others ● Build other’s 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. More is not necessarily better - Clarity in Communication

15. Taboos • No radical thoughts… • Don’t articulate any gender / caste / class / race bias • Don’t ask questions during the GD • Don’t directly negate other’s point – ‘how can you say that?’, ‘You are wrong’, ‘you don’t know’ etc. • No touching others • No blocking others view • No pointing fingers • No personal anecdotes as ‘data’ • No emotions, please • No shouting or sarcasm

16. FAQs

17. 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..

18. FAQs..2 • Group is asked to select the topic … • If a group member makes a point that I don’t 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…

19. FAQs ..3 • Taking a stand vis-à-vis the topic • If I have a soft voice … • How to get into the discussion … • If I am not noticed while speaking … • I don’t know about the topic … • I know the topic, but others don’t ... • All others are supporting one side, can I speak from the other side?

20. FAQs..4 • More than one person is speaking at a time • Cartelization ?? • Responding to one’s 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?

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

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

23. Key Word Approach “Excessive exposure of the female anatomy in advertising should be banned” • Excessive Exposure • 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? • Advertising • 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?

24. 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)

25. S P E L T Implications • Socio-cultural • Political • Economic / Ethical • Legal • Technological

26. 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 ?

27. Case Study - Basics

28. Case Study..1 • Case Facts - Key players & their motivation - Resources & Constraints - Parameters for decision-making - Understand key facts well - Assumptions / Incomplete information

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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