Business Communication
Group Discussion
Desired Parameters in Candidates
● Original ideas
● Clarity in
articulation
● Good listening skills
● Positive body
language
Group Behaviour
Candidates’ group behaviour is checked on the
following parameters:
• Participation
• Leadership qualities
• Problem-solving capability
• Handling turbulence
Participation
GDs check a candidate’s level of participation:
● High
● Low
● Consistent
Leadership
Leadership is determined by:
• Initiative
• Team spirit
• Problem-solving skills
• Decision-making skills
Leadership Qualities
Suggested leadership qualities:
● Participate constructively
● Provide rational arguments
● Convince others
● Build support
● Logically weaken opponent’s point of view
Leadership Styles
Various leadership styles are evident during a GD:
● Driver (imposes, evaluates, blocks)
● Amiable leader (eagerly supports, avoid
conflicts)
● Democrat (includes everyone, tries to control)
Orderly Conduct
Strive to:
● Dominate without bullying
● Listen and react
● Be a gate opener not closer
Avoiding Turbulence
Strive to:
● Restore order
● Activate inert participants
Evaluation
A GD evaluates a candidate’s:
● Personality
● Knowledge
● Communication skills
● Leadership skills
Personality
Personality is determined by:
● Appearance
● Temperament
● Posture and gesture
● Mental state
Knowledge
Knowledge is determined by:
● Depth
● Range
● Analytical ability
● Organization of ideas
Communication Skills
Communication skills are determined by:
● Listening Skills
● Fluency
● Language
● Phonetic Ability
Do’s
● Sit comfortably • Aim for conclusion, not consensus
• Share time fairly
● Understand the topic
• Maintain eye contact
● Organize ideas
• Take notes
● Speak at the earliest
• Keep track of time
● Identify supporters
and opponents
Don’ts
● Be in a hurry ● Move excessively
● Be silent
● Throw all ideas at one shot
● Dominate
● Use slang
vocally/physically
● Speak fast
● Assume role of chairman
● Introduce topic ● Digress
● Take extreme stance ● Pay attention to
● Look at faculty troublemakers
● Shut out inert participants ● Get emotional
Types of GDs
Topic-based
A controversial or factual topic may be used to
evaluate candidates
Case-based
A case study is used to evaluate a candidate’s
analytical and decision-making skills among others.
Topic-based GDs
Interpret correctly; explore adequately
Case-based GDs
Understand the situation, work out alternatives, explore
pros and cons, suggest solutions, and work out
implementation and contingency plan
Case Study
A case is a statement of conditions, attitudes, and practices
and it:
● Describes a challenging situation that the company is facing
or has faced earlier.
● Illustrates a specific set of management issues
● Provides facts and figures
● It is written in a manner that needs rearrangement and
interpretation of facts as well as evaluation of opinions,
behavior, and interaction
● It includes data on alternative courses of action
Steps for Case Analysis
● Put the case information together
● Evaluate the actions and plans of the company and identify,
and describe business opportunities and problems
● Recommend a coordinated plan of action to correct business
problems or to take advantage of opportunities
● Justify the recommended action
● Try to get a quick sense of the whole case – title, heading,
outline, introduction, and conclusion
Steps for Case Analysis (…contd)
● Does this require a decision? Who is the decision maker? What
decision does she have to make? What are her objectives? Are
there other actors there? What are their objectives?
● At this point reread the case carefully; underline key facts
● Note the key problems on paper; go through the case again for
relevant information. What are the resources/constraints?
● What are the possible courses of action? Rank alternatives; likely
short- and long-term consequences.
Tips
● Be prepared to present ideas with conviction.
● Listen
● Keep an open mind
● Grab the earliest opportunity to get involved
● If you have a totally new idea-wait
● Be alert for constructive solutions
● Try to give space to others
● Don’t hesitate to admit confusion or ask for clarification
● Keep the group focused
● Accept a critical atmosphere and be willing to submit your
conclusions to rebuttal
● Overcome the fear of making and admitting a mistake
REPLA
