[soumik.ganguly]

Dear Rahul...

1. I liked your question as many people ask me "how do I conclude?". Conclusions generally doesn't happen.
When you summarize, you are to make some sense of the entire discussion that happened - which will neccessarily include all the good points of other and yours together. I will suggest you see the latest movie release and come back home and try to explain the entire thing to your Mom, Dad, and any other friend...everytime trying to cut it short. You will get a hands on experience to put so many things into 2-3 minutes. Thats the skill.

2. The pitch and tone is something very personal actually. I will not be able to tell you the specifics if I have not heard your voice myself. But generally speaking, all you have to do is:
a) The starting pitch to be the same when you talk to your Dad. Since that is an Adult-to-Adult discussion in your case, you will not lose the pitch if you follow this one.
b) The tone is affected normally due to the seriousness of the discussions. For the rest of the days, condition your mind by telling it that this discussion is the place where you are the most matured person sitting in the group and will have the power to handle any possible situation. Do this for 2 weeks and then leave it to your sub-conscious mind to take care of it when the D-Day happens.

relax and enjoy your preparation keeping in mind that this preparation will have long term connections. All the best and thanks for your compliments.

Cheers

Originally Posted by rahulram

Hi!
Really simple,to the point and very effectively written.thank you for this thread.

My query is:
1.how do i go about summarizing the discussion when asked to? (whose points should i include if in the course of discussion,i realize the group put across some brilliant points?)

2.it would be great if you could give us a few tips on handling the pitch and tone of our voice in a discussion.

thanks again.

[naiquevin]

Hi Soumik.... thanx man this is really useful info...

I have a ques....
I have not appeared for any b-school GD so far, but in GDs i have taken during placements in college, I have observed that I tend to be a bit inarticulate(..whereas i m perfectly fluent during the personal interview) giving a chance for others to cut me out... if i dont give in to interruptions and continue with my point then it becomes a quarrel like situation . i fear the panel might get an impression due to this that i am not receptive to others views and might lose marks..

How can I overcome this prob?
thanks again !!

[soumik.ganguly]

Hi.

I will have a two step suggestion map for this issue.

1. You have to forget the internal demons that will keep you reminding everytime you open your mouth that there is someone who will cut you out. This feelling ensures that you make silly mistakes and ultimately someone cuts you out. So from now on, know that you have a particular job and so does the other members in the GD. All you have to do is that listen and make the correct points. In case someone cuts you out, there are generally things like "I will get back to you after I finish" that makes them stop. In case they still cannot stop, then he/she will get negative marks from the Jury.
DO not let others control your output. you can do better things when you control your every action and thought.

2. Forget about the panel's perception and their pointers to judge your participation. They will do their job and you focus on yours. If you are best in following certain basic things that I have mentioned, those jury members will see them and also give the scores accordingly.

The selection is not in your hands. Many a times the rejection has nothing to do with you performance as much as it has to do with your profile finally not meeting the requirements of the Institute.

All the best. And do get back with your feedback if these things help you in some way. You are always welcome to come back with more questions...

Cheers.

Originally Posted by naiquevin

Hi Soumik.... thanx man this is really useful info...

I have a ques....
I have not appeared for any b-school GD so far, but in GDs i have taken during placements in college, I have observed that I tend to be a bit inarticulate(..whereas i m perfectly fluent during the personal interview) giving a chance for others to cut me out... if i dont give in to interruptions and continue with my point then it becomes a quarrel like situation . i fear the panel might get an impression due to this that i am not receptive to others views and might lose marks..

How can I overcome this prob?
thanks again !!

[shekys]

During GDs involving case studies (for example a case at the end of which we are offered three options to choose from),I have been witness to situations where the first speaker directly offers his/her opinion (saying,I feel that option xyz is the best because.....). I feel this is inappropriate because the case has to be summarised first and then one's inferences/conclusions must be drawn. What is the ideal way to start a case discussion by summarising the case first and then offering opinions?

[soumik.ganguly]

Hi

This one is a good observation.

Generally the approach to solve the case study eventually boils down to a few points - identifying the major problem, the factors in the problem, the grey areas, possible solutions (maybe 3 to 4 variations).

So if there is someone who begins the way you have stated, then thats a BIG mistake. The discussion has to happen by

1st- identifying and accepting the major problem statement. This is the first objective of the group.

2nd- giving the ratings of the factors that are involved, and collectively taking away the ones that can be ignored. This is where maximum part of the discussion will evolve.

3rd - putting in the various angles together (things like financial aspects, micro economic factors, etc.) and then drawing up a Plan A and also a Plan B, putting in the assumptions that these solutions will take for becoming successful.

Therefore, one does not have to summarize the case first. Thats actually a waste of time. Carry on in the above mentioned way and you would have the impact no one else can make.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by shekys

During GDs involving case studies (for example a case at the end of which we are offered three options to choose from),I have been witness to situations where the first speaker directly offers his/her opinion (saying,I feel that option xyz is the best because.....). I feel this is inappropriate because the case has to be summarised first and then one's inferences/conclusions must be drawn. What is the ideal way to start a case discussion by summarising the case first and then offering opinions?

[soumik.ganguly]

I just had an idea that can help us to get to discuss all the relevant points about GDs and PIs.

As you guys are going through the practice GDs, I will be eager to know your experiences and feedbacks on those along with the topics. Maybe we can look at a new way to approach those topics or atleast have a feel of the kind of topics that are doing the rounds across India.

It will be fun. I will be ready with whatever inputs I can provide. It will be something that I can personally contribute while I am working at Pagalguy HQ in Mumbai. (So next time you guys make it to the PG meet, we can meet as well).

[Sourajyoti]

hi ,Soumik da ...i am posting a case study and depending on it i have got some question :
"Raju is the head of a technical committee and is to suggest some reforms to the CEO and his team in a meeting. Raju and his committee has suggested some financial changes as well as some changes enabling the sales team to know more about the prospective products.....
CEO seemed happy but for some reason had to leave the meeting. As soon as the CEO left, the entire team started opposing Raju's proposal citing financial and proprietary concerns....This left Raju and his committee shell shocked. It appeared as an attempt by the senior members of the company to resist any change in the existing system."
In this situation as a member of Raju's committee suggest Raju the course of action.

If this is the case study then how should I describe it in three segments( i.e. - identifying and accepting the major problem statement , giving the ratings of the factors that are involved , putting in the various angles together )?
plz suggest .

[soumik.ganguly]

Dear Sourajyoti

What I feel should be done ideally is that you should first have a go at the entire thing in the way we have discussed and then come back to me with the inputs.

If I give you my version of the same upfront, your future case study analysis will have prejudice and that's something I do not want in anyone's solutions.

Please go ahead and get the analysis from your side on this case study and then we can definitely crack it together.

Hoping to hear from you by today/tomorrow.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Sourajyoti

hi ,Soumik da ...i am posting a case study and depending on it i have got some question :
"Raju is the head of a technical committee and is to suggest some reforms to the CEO and his team in a meeting. Raju and his committee has suggested some financial changes as well as some changes enabling the sales team to know more about the prospective products.....
CEO seemed happy but for some reason had to leave the meeting. As soon as the CEO left, the entire team started opposing Raju's proposal citing financial and proprietary concerns....This left Raju and his committee shell shocked. It appeared as an attempt by the senior members of the company to resist any change in the existing system."
In this situation as a member of Raju's committee suggest Raju the course of action.

If this is the case study then how should I describe it in three segments( i.e. - identifying and accepting the major problem statement , giving the ratings of the factors that are involved , putting in the various angles together )?
plz suggest .

[soumik.ganguly]

Just to give you some clue:

You can begin with

Company cultures -> working with multi functional teams -> resistance to change: Why? -> How to make revolting team members look at the problem and the objectives -> looking at the "bigger picture" ->winning over issues with involving others in the decision process -> contd...


I will expect your analysis when you post next time. Take care

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Sourajyoti

hi ,Soumik da ...i am posting a case study and depending on it i have got some question :
"Raju is the head of a technical committee and is to suggest some reforms to the CEO and his team in a meeting. Raju and his committee has suggested some financial changes as well as some changes enabling the sales team to know more about the prospective products.....
CEO seemed happy but for some reason had to leave the meeting. As soon as the CEO left, the entire team started opposing Raju's proposal citing financial and proprietary concerns....This left Raju and his committee shell shocked. It appeared as an attempt by the senior members of the company to resist any change in the existing system."
In this situation as a member of Raju's committee suggest Raju the course of action.

If this is the case study then how should I describe it in three segments( i.e. - identifying and accepting the major problem statement , giving the ratings of the factors that are involved , putting in the various angles together )?
plz suggest .

[romil_mba]

Hey Soumik!!
Thnx so so much for this really useful forum..
I am facing a lot of problems regarding my GD prep now.. Firstly, I have a low voice and find myself into real trouble when there r many people shouting over.. Also, I have no exposure of public speaking and get totally dumbfounded if the topic is not a very debatable one, ie if i lack points then i cant cook up n speak.. I also find that its too difficult for me to start ... please guide...