Master of Business Administration

GD - PI Live Chat Session 6 with Raj Joshi of IMS India

Published On: 06 Feb 2009

Nafeesha - Everyone please welcome Mr. Raj Joshi of IMS. Raj sir, thank you for being here. Dear students please ask your questions to sir.

Raj Joshi: IMS - Hello everyone. I'm ready for your questions. Topics are broadly classified as controversial, abstract, factual and case based. The most important task on the day of the GD is to Convey your points and be confident. Let me share with you all a topic of last year GD in the CET GD and please provide your inputs. Topic is - a person is not known by the number of servants which he has, but a person is known by the people whom he serves. Now please think and provide inputs.

Prerana - what if they ask to start the GD?

Raj Joshi: IMS - Then you should start the DGD if you are aware of the topic.

Nishant - how should I start GD?

Raj Joshi: IMS - You can start the GD by mentioning the topic and what is your say on the same.

Prerana - what could be the topics?

Raj Joshi: IMS - Should the networking sites be banned? Controversial topic for discussion. Networking is like Facebook, Orkut, etc. give your inputs for the same.

Prerana - no I don't think that it should be banned.

Raj Joshi: IMS - why? Now on answering this you will be able to get more points.

Saurabh - sir, in GDs opposite candidates repeat the same point again and again, they only change their words. How should one tackle such a situation?

Raj Joshi: IMS - You should stand apart from that and give examples that will help you be noticed and score more.

Nishant - Sir what kind of points should we give on any given topic?

Raj Joshi: IMS - start with your understanding of it. Its importance, examples, and cases of loss due to it.

Nishant - Sir can you give me a few points on how to discuss the topic - Retail Boom Spells Doom for Local Grocer.

Raj Joshi: IMS - if you feel so can you then give examples to start the GD. Example - start with slogan of Big Bazaar... What is it?

Prerana - what if I don't have much knowledge about that topic?

Raj Joshi: IMS - wait for sometime and gather knowledge of the topic from all and make new points, with relevant example.

Nishant - What is Abstract and Concrete?

Raj Joshi: IMS - Abstract is grass is green on the other side.

Gunjot - sir, should the tone of the discussion be formal always?

Raj Joshi: IMS - it's dynamic and depends on where the GD is leading. Dear all always remember in A GD/PI the weightage of words is mere 7% so please also concentrate on Pitch, Tone, Body Language and content most important.

Saurabh - sir, in PIs what should one state when asked about hobbies/interests? Can we state listening to music as a hobby/interest?

Raj Joshi: IMS - hobbies are specific to every individual so you don't have to build a hobby for the PI. Be honest if it's like watching TV or listening music.

Nishant - Sir will it be beneficiary to read the newspapers?

Raj Joshi: IMS - it will sure help you a lot. If you reading daily there is no question of looking back

Ankispeaks - sir I wanted to know if there are extra points for starting and concluding the GD.

Raj Joshi: IMS - yes you will be noticed and score better that other if you get a chance to conclude or start a GD.

Ankispeaks - sir we should speak for, against or neutral to the topic given in GD?

Raj Joshi: IMS - be honest and give your frank opine on the same don't try to overdo otherwise later in the GD you will contradict your own points.

Saurabh - but can listening to music, watching TV be regarded as a hobby/interest? Wont it give a negative impression? Instead of these can we just state a single interest like reading?

Raj Joshi: IMS - no you can also mention about as you are working or studying and not having time to pursue this so that's your final hobbies.

Subhash - sir what will be the answer of why do you chose this institution?

Raj Joshi: IMS - 1 you should be convinced with it, look into college website it will give you the answer.

Aparna - and if they ask me technical questions about singing, dancing swimming then what can I answer?

Raj Joshi: IMS - Technical questions will be like what type of dancing? Classical - which one - which are different mudras? Etc.

Aparna - And what about playing scrabble can it b a hobby as I play it frequently? Can they ask technical questions regarding scrabble and if yes then what kind of?

Raj Joshi: IMS - you need to sit down and make a list of activities that you do and answer what you will like to see from these as your hobbies. Let me share with u all students a typical scenario of PI of a very good Business School. Students are made to sit a row and then are asked questions like what are your strengths. Student 1, and student 2 are asked to give their academic details, and student 3 work related questions at the same time. They want to see your ability to answer the questions in such a situation.

Aparna - please tell me what kinds of topics are usually asked in IMT?

Raj Joshi: IMS - You need to be prepared on Abstract and Case based topic which will help u for most of the b schools.

Bharath - which is given more importance in GD body language or communication?

Raj Joshi: IMS - both of them are equally important.

Nishant - What will be the duration of GD?

Raj Joshi: IMS - maximum 15 - 20 minutes.

Raj Joshi: IMS - Some books I can suggest GD path Finder available at IMS, Nautical Miles to improve vocabulary, Communications Skills builder.

Aparna - sir what is there in GD path finder?

Raj Joshi: IMS - GD path finder will help you understand different topics of a GD and also a CD to see simple GD. It is Rs 200/- and also the slog book will help which includes both GD and PI. Slogbook includes GD and PI techniques.

Aparna - should I shake hands with panelists before leaving?

Raj Joshi: IMS - In a PI with 2 or 3 panelists you can do so... but not in a GD.

Nafeesha - that's all we have time for today. Raj sir, thank you for being here with us today and taking time out to answer questions. It was a pleasure having you with us.

Raj Joshi: IMS - Thanks Nafeesa and all the best all!