THE CONCEPT BEHIND ONLINE GD

Many of the members are asking me the concept of ONLINE GD

Well, the thing is, that most of stay in different parts of the country and don't have any groups as such who would be willing to do GD on a regular basis.

So, what we do is do a conference, in which, we discuss on a particular topic and present our points. Since there will be a number of participants, u can expect a similiar discussion as an actual GD, the only limitation being that here u would be doing a text-based GD instead of the vocal one.

You would be able to share ur knowledge and know more about the topic from others' point of view. You would also come to know what kind of topics are tested and how would u be presenting ur arguments. It would initiate the flow of ur thought-process.

So although, it may not be completely simulating to the actual GD, yet u do gain an insight in the topic, wrt the knowledge.

As they say, something is better than nothing.

Don't stop here... Read Further.

Regards,
Gaurav

WHAT NEXT - HOW TO BEGIN..

1) You can add the id onlinegd from ur messenger.

2) GDs are conducted at 09:45 p.m. You can come online some 15 mins earlier and Change your status message to ONLINE GD

Then i will understand that u wish to participate in the current session and hence, invite u to the conference. If u do not change ur status, you won't be invited.

If u don't know how to change ur status, then follow this:
Click on the messenger where it shows ur status invisible/online and click new message and then type ONLINE GD. Check out the image link below..

http://img289.imageshack.us/img289/9647/status5zd.jpg" alt="" border="0">

3) The GD schedule shall be announced a day in advance, from the day of the session. So keeping checking ur yahoo offlines daily. The same can also be accessed here... Next GD.. target="_blank">Next GD

4) Once u have changed ur status to ONLINE GD, sit back and relax. I will invite you to the conference and would introduce the topic then and there.

5) The GD shall be text-based. This means you can type your arguments as though you are in a conference.
However,

• Take care not to keep on sending message after every sentence.
• Collate 2-3 points and then send the message.
• Also remember to use different fonts/colours to distingush easily between the different arguments.

6) The feedback would be available on Yahoo Messenger GD Proceedings...


7) Go through the GD guidelines for more details Must Read - Indecency during GD sessions target="_blank">http://www.managementparadise.com/forums/group-discussions-online-archive-gd/4290-must-read-indecency-during-gd-sessions.html


8) Do go through this article by whiz kid.... Its very good... http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...-experts.html" target="_blank">GD info by experts http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...-experts.html" target="_blank">http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...ies/thumb.gif" alt="" title="Thumb" smilieid="207" class="inlineimg" border="0">


Another interesting article by the same author... http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...th-vocab.html" target="_blank">Play With Vocab..!! http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...ies/thumb.gif" alt="" title="Thumb" smilieid="207" class="inlineimg" border="0">


9) Also check.. http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...-in-a-gd.html" target="_blank">How panelists rate you in a GD by Nikhil http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...-in-a-gd.html" target="_blank">http://www.managementparadise.com/fo...ies/thumb.gif" alt="" title="Thumb" smilieid="207" class="inlineimg" border="0">

How to prepare for GDs

Well there is no simple way to prepare for the GDs. However, i would like to share two points with u guys..

1) Read a lot, viz. newspapers, magazines like India today, Outlook, The week, Business Outline, etc. read as much as u can on every topic u know. The more u read, the more u will learn & the more u will learn, the better grasp u would have on the topics.

2) After having the knowledge, maintain a separate notebook and prepare for and against points for a particular topic, so that u can think in both ways when it comes to GD.

3) You would come across difficult words as u read. Make a list of these difficult words and revise them accordingly.

Use softwares like Vocaboly, Speed Reading softwares and others all put up in the CAT thread: 200+ Mb of preparation material for CAT, XAT, GMAT and other entrance

1) Make sure that all the points that you make are original and are backed by substantial reasoning as to why you believe so.

2) If somebody has already made the point you wanted to make, you can go ahead and either support or oppose the point provided you can give substantial reasoning as to why you think so.

3) Whatever you have to say has to be wrapped around with a logical flow. State your point, substantiate it with a reason and validate it with an example wherever and whenever possible.

4) Modulate the various aspects of your voice, viz. volume, pitch and tone so as to suite the nature of the point that you are making. Make sure you don't sound rude or arrogant.

5) Your posture should be straight and upfront.

6) Make use of hands and facial expressions to make your point more
emphatic.

7) Whatever position you occupy in the discussion make sure that while speaking you make eye contact with each and every one in the group.

8) When not speaking make sure that you are looking at the person who is speaking.

9) Whether you agree with the person who is speaking or not, ensure that you give him credit for what he is speaking by use of non - verbals like nodding your head, etc.

10) If possible, make an attempt at opening the discussion. But if you
venture ahead with it make sure that you make a good job of it. The opening has to be a general introduction to the topic briefly laying the scope of the discussion.

11) If the discussion is revolving around a certain point for too long give a new direction by introducing a new angle to it.

12) Incase of fish markets first and foremost make sure that you don't contribute to the mayhem. If the crowd is too unruly wait for the right opportunity, make your point and get out of it.

- By Nikhil Gadodia (nick18_in)

Edit:
A small note from my side... too!

- As for point 4, ensure that u have a volume raised by 10% of ur natural volume.

- Another point is, when in the GD, analyse the behaviour of every member. There would be many, who would not be participating much. These would ur support sides. Involve them. This not only ensures ur leadership quality, but also ensures that u would be speaking the maximum, and at the same time, involving the group as a whole.

- GD is not only about speaking, but also about listening. So if u do not allow others to speak at all, it would be ruled against u. So speak but give others a chance to speak too. Do not keep interrupting him/her in between. Check out specific moments, eg. when that person pauses for a moment to breathe and that is the most appropriate time, to make ur entry.

- At the same time, ensure that u do speak. Keeping mum will not fetch u points.

- Body language is very very important, esp. eye contact. Body language conveys 50% of what u want to say. However do not use ur fingers to point at anyone or show a fierce looking face. It seems threatening and conveys a very negative impression to the evaluating body. Also, DO NOT be rude to anyone. You lose points for every single mistake u do!

- Most importantly, avoid tangling yourself into a one-to-one situation. Remember, it a GD and not a debate and a discussion means involvement of all. You have gone there, to secure an admission and not to fight. Always remember that!!

Refer to the GD sheet, to see how the scoring is done in an actual GD.

TIMES OF INDIA E-paper:

Times Of India

you will need to create an http://in.indiatimes.com/ id.. which is completely free!

Enjoy!!


Regards,
Gaurav

WHAT MORE CAN I DO??

Browse through managementparadise.... Its got tonnes of MBA preparation related stuff...

Go to the CAT section -> Check various threads on mock CAT papers, Desktop Dictionary, online issues of competition master, previous year's CAT patterns, vedic maths, interview papers, GK stuff.. vocabular softwares, et al.

If u r preparing for GRE/GMAT/TOEFL etc, then also u can find many threads related to it..

Also check out the GD section and the PI section!
you can post ur fav. GD topics here... Post your GD topics

Read the HINDU newspaper online
Link - www.thehindu.com

U can read the FRONTLINE magazine and even download its pdf copy. Its a bimonthly magazine. Check the site's download section.
Link - http://www.frontlineonnet.com/

Business World Online :
Link - http://www.businessworldindia.com/issue/index.asp

CNN-IBN:
http://www.ibnlive.com/

NDTV.com
http://www.ndtv.com/homepage/default.asp?from=home


Pressdisplay.com - Read the E-copy of the newspapers from all over the world. Comes with a 7 day trial limitation and u need to download their free software Press Reader
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx

The Week
http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bi...me.do?tabId=13

Deccan Herald E-paper - u need to create a free login id
http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/login.php

Hindustan Times E-paper - u need to create a free login id
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/registernew.aspx

Tehelka.com
http://tehelka.com/


Regards,
Gaurav

I guess Online GD is only a way to enhance your RC skills since it kills the Prospect of leadership skills,Body Language and Teamwork the most important part of your GD "Score Sheet".Also people have different Typing speed compared to their "Conversing" speeds.

Originally Posted by Great_II

I guess Online GD is only a way to enhance your RC skills since it kills the Prospect of leadership skills,Body Language and Teamwork the most important part of your GD "Score Sheet".Also people have different Typing speed compared to their "Conversing" speeds.

Great_II
Have u heard the saying... something is better than nothing. We try to simulate it as closely as possible to the real thing... Offcourse, its not possible to replicate the actual thing... however, with the limitations, at hand, this is the best thing possible!

awsome post.....