How to GD

Bringing a method to the madness

GD: Components
Introduction
Arguments/Counter arguments Conclusion

How to Introduce
Define the TOPIC
- Clarify words or phrases - Identify the key word Define the FRAMEWORK - Identify key parameters Define the SCOPE

How to construct Arguments

What people normally do CONCLUSION ARGUMENTS

EXAMPLES

How to construct Arguments

What YOU as aspiring managers should do in a GD FRAMEWORK ARGUMENTS EXAMPLES

CONCLUSION/CONSENSUS

How to Conclude
Weigh the arguments discussed in the group Summarize position of the group not your own. Present a synthesis and not a restatement of the arguments

How to GD: Applied

Benevolent Dictatorship or democracy?

How to Introduce: Applied

Define the TOPIC

The key word is benevolent

Define the FRAMEWORK Parameters to evaluate systems of governance Advantages V Disadvantages

How to construct Arguments : Applied

Benevolent Dictatorship
Quick decision-making /implementation Lower chances of corruption

Democracy
Representative of all sections of society Clear checks and balances Continuity is inbuilt into the system People have the power to decide Corruption and Red Tape

Advantages

People are powerless No checks and balances since Slow decision making/Implementation Disadvantages people are powerless No clear succession policy Costly

How to Conclude : Applied

Weigh the advantages and disadvantages

Weigh the parameters

Group Discussion Topic

If stock market is legal, gambling should be legalized

GD Analysis: Introduction
Define the TOPIC
The key word is gambling

Define the FRAMEWORK Are the stock market and gambling comparable? If yes/no, should gambling be legalized? Define SCOPE Limited to India but comparison with other countries can be used for discussion

GD Analysis: Arguments
Are they comparable? Probabilistic nature

Should gambling be legalized? Zero-Sum Vs Non-Zero Sum Science Vs Luck Free Will and international trends

The STARBACT GD

A horse of a different colour?

A GD is supposed to be analogous to a board meeting

Tests knowledge and reasoning Tests ability to interact with peers Tests problem solving ability Tests communication skills

So why Abstract? What does it test?

The Creative Approach

Why Abstract?
Most likely intended to test creativity

So.whats the analogy?

Factual GD : Board Meeting

::
Abstract GD : ? ? ? ? ? ?

The Brainstorming Paradigm

Brainstorming
Non-standard problem Diverse group of participants Hence wide range of perspectives No right or wrong answers Novel or far-fetched solutions No arguments!

Abstract GD: Unique Features

Different, even radical perspectives Introduction & conclusion minimal Avoid shooting down others ideas Connection to top-of-mind topic Limited shelf life for an idea Creativity & range of ideas matter! Occasionally borderline with Factual

Identification Picture
A picture, diagram, cartoon strip, symbol

Identification Short & Sweet

Just one or two common words

Water Blue ocean Silence

Identification - Unreal

A topic with little real-life perspective

Pink pyjamas fluttering atop the Red Fort If I were Harry Potter for a day Once upon a time

Identification - Bipolar

Bipolar, but with multiple approaches

Giraffes are better than Zebras Black and White Can a Bird teach a Fish how to fly?

Analysis Step 1 : The Point

List down all possible associations, however wild

Go topic by topic (politics, economics, sports, entertainment, ethics) Prioritise topics close to ones heart

Analysis Step 2 : The Flow

Use these points to create logical flows of thought

These should be at least 3-4 sentences long, and be internally consistent Keep unused points as reserve ammunition

Analysis Step 3 : The Theme

Look for an underlying theme, if any

Identify which of the above flows of thought are relevant to this theme

Caveat: This may not be possible in all cases

Exercise
Let us try and illustrate this process through an exercise, using the topic:

Black and White

Analysis Step 1 (Black & White)

Social Racism, customs

Economic Black money, black market Ethics Right and wrong, good and bad Technology Black box, black & white TV, white noise Entertainment Michael Jackson, Black Sabbath, Men in Black

Analysis Step 1 (Black & White)

History Black Friday Nature Black panther, white whale, zebra Games Chess, carrom, checkers Literature White knight, Blackbeard, Black Beauty Linguistic blacklist, turned white Miscellaneous newspapers, day and night, other colours, moonlight, shadows, Blackberry

Analysis Step 1 (Black & White)

Philosophical Perspective:
Black and white are two sides of the same coin. Neither of them can exist without the other and each complements the other
-

Example: Books & Blackboards Example: Shadows created by light

Analysis Step 1 (Black & White)

Social Perspective:
Black and white are important elements of society

Example: Western Wedding Wear

Example: Symbolism (peace, purity, mourning)

Example: Fashion trends

Analysis Step 1 (Black & White)

Theme
Black and White complement each other

Books & blackboards Newton Fashion Western weddings Zebras Philosophy

Application
The opening should be short and sweet,

immediately leading to points of view If no underlying thread in mind, introduce relevant ideas at regular intervals Initially use obvious ideas Keep unique ideas, which others are unlikely to spot, for later

Application
If there is an underlying train of thought, introduce

the points which support it

After introducing a few such points, try to tie them

up to form a coherent whole

Try to provide direction to the group and

shepherd them to a conclusion

Practice GD - Topic

Practice GD - Analysis
Emotions: Shocked, happy, busy Law: Loopholes, the letter of the law v/s the spirit Physics: Newtons First Law, Inertia, Motion, Force,

Apple, Gravity Ethics: of Calvin & of the Educational system Education: State of educational system, mugging, cheating, stifling creativity Creativity: Of Calvin (in the answer) or the creator, Bill Watterson (in the whole cartoon)

Practice GD - Analysis
Physics aspect:

Newtons First Law of motion deals with the tendency of a body to stay in a state of rest unless some force is applied. The idea of Inertia comes from here. We can see the example of a carrom table.

Practice GD - Analysis
Legal and moral aspect:

The boy in the picture, Calvin, is clearly deriving joy from the fact that he is beating the system. What he is doing may be legal, within the letter of the law, but would it be morally right? Even before that, does an education system that expects us to mug up and reproduce facts make sense?

Practice GD - Analysis
Education aspect:

Our system of education is largely based on tests, which require us to study large numbers of seemingly useless facts and reproduce them in examinations, with very little understanding of the potential practical applications of this knowledge. As children, every one of us would have been irritated with this system.

Practice GD - Analysis
Theme Inertia
First law of motion Inertia could explain why he has not studied Educational system does not give reasons, thus

causes inertia Exclamation mark a new idea helps to break the inertia value of ideas

Practice GD - Analysis
Theme Education
Emphasis on rote-learning Stifles creativity Counterpoint: it helps students gain necessary

knowledge example, the Maths for CAT! Education as a low-paid sector Political pressures twisting curricula

How to tackle a CASE STUDY

WHY CASE STUDIES?

Real Life Problems

- No

Right or Wrong Answers

Test of Analysis over Knowledge

- Used as pedagogy at the top B-Schools

Types of Case Studies

Non-Business Case
Retrospective Value

Judgment

Business Case
Business Structure

Information

Requirement

Non-Business Case Studies

Human Interest Story Role and Character Exploration Moral/Ethical Dilemm Examination of Prevalent Ethics Framework Legal Wrangle Logical look at Legal Framework Caveat: Think twice before setting precedent

Business Case Studies

Understanding of Business Environment Understanding of Business Objectives Prioritization of Multiple Objective Structured Thinking
Giving structure to the discussion Gauging Information Needs and how to manage them

Responsible Decision Making Create Maximum Fallback

Pre-GD Process
Read the Case carefully
Identify the objective of the discussion and the Case Identify your role Identify the setting of the Case Identify the various stakeholders Identify the various parameters on which the Case could be discussed Identify the decision variables Identify the problem Identify information requirements

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Identify the Objectives of the Discussion
Merely establish a framework for discussion Discuss the information requirements Discuss the legality/morality/ethicality of the

situation Make a business decision Always with an implementation plan

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Role Identification
Often implicit, sometimes explicit Your roles within the case may dictate your roles

within the Group Discussion Roles have respective Decision-making ambits

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Identify the setting of the Case
Political Ethical Social Technological

Legal
Environmental

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Identify the various stakeholders
Internal

Shareholders Employees Customers Competitors External Government Immediate Neighbourhood Society

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Identify the parameters on which the Case could

be discussed
Ethical/Moral Legal Justice Actual and Perceived

Profit Tangible and Intangible

Cultural Aesthetic Beyond Need

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Identify the Decision Variables
Based on your role what variables can you change Sales & Marketing Department

Budget Allocation to various campaigns Marketing Strategy Sales and Marketing Incentives Product Variants CANNOT change Company Mission Statement

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Identify the Problem

Symptoms
Falling Sales Low Employee Morale High Attrition

Underlying Problem
A fixed incentive structure with no focus on

performance

Pre-GD Process (contd.)

Identify Information Requirements
Have you absorbed all the information presented in

the case? What additional information do you need? How would you go about getting that additional information?

Starting the discussion

The secret to opening: Inclusiveness
Open with a structure rather than an opinion Encourage participation Ensure that all participation supports you

Invite contrary ideas Ensure that you are heard

Write out your opening 4-5 lines Deflect others by promising them entry later

Situation Analysis
Summarize
Macro to Micro

Define the problem

Ideal post-solution situation

Define the objectives of the discussion

Discussion vs. Consensus Action vs. Analysis

Criteria Definition
Establish a list of criteria
May be explicitly stated in the case May arise from the ideal post-solution situation Should include all constraints and taboos

Create a priority list of these criteria

Based on discussion in the group

Solutions
Solution Generation
Permutations and Combinations of the Decision

Variables identified earlier

Solution Evaluation
Score each option on the ranked list of criteria

Be objective

Solution Implementation
Execution plan

Macro to Micro steps

Thank You!
Questions??