How to Prepare For Group Discussion

Firstly let us understand what the Group Discussion is and why it is an important part of any admission to an institute or recruitment process of any organization.    

                 
As the name suggests the Group Discussion is a formal discussion amongst group members. Referring it to the admission process of an institute, the concept of Group Discussion was incorporated in the admission process a couple of years back because it was felt that the students in an institute selected through personal interaction without group discussion lacked some critical soft skills like interpersonal and behavioral skills. Lack of these skills reflected badly on learning of the students as learning is a collective academic endeavor which needs team work for excellence in their studies. So institutes thought to introduce group discussion in their drives to gauge group dynamic behavior of the prospective candidates which could be a tangible parameter to assess their personality traits. Since, it has not been a part of the regular academic curriculum in schools and colleges therefore students usually face a lot of problem in this area of the Selection Process.

Let us first understand the finer details of why Group Discussion is conducted.

Most institutes today are very clear about the skills and knowledge that they look for in a student while screening. That is why, Group Discussion has been a part of the Selection process for admission into most of the Business Schools.

The personality traits and skills that are usually being looked for in a Group Discussion are: Communication Skills Interpersonal Skills, Leadership Skills, Motivational Skills, Team Building Skills,Tolerance, Listening skills, Presentation Skills, Analytical, Logical skills, creativity/out-of-the-box thinking. So, it's very important to assess your current strengths in all these areas and accordingly put-in efforts to overcome your shortcomings.

Besides, body language and attitude is being given focus while GD is being conducted.

Another important reason for institutes to keep GD as an elimination round and acts as a filter to prune unwanted students lacking these skills.

In nut shell, GD is basically a methodological tool used by an institution to gauge whether a candidate has certain personality traits and/or skills that it desires in its students. Normally, the group of candidates is given a topic or a situation, given a few minutes to think about the same, and then asked to discuss it among themselves for some time. Topics can be from a wide range of issues. It could be a topic on current events, business news, sports or anything very general. The wider your reading interests, the better prepared you will be to face the group discussion.

A Group discussion tests how you function as a part of a team. Accurate Institute of Management & Technology sharing some tips for effective participation in a GD or how to prepare in a GD:

Understand - Understand the topic before attempting to contribute. Jot down all necessary details in bullet form on a piece of paper

Initiate - Take the initiative to begin the discussion, if possible, as it will give you bonus marks.

Structure/organize - Structure or organize the data or arguments logically - justify your stand with suitable and verifiable data.

Act as a leader – if the topic digresses from the main track, try to bring back the   discussion.

Act as a motivator – Try bringing all participants on board to discuss the topic but after you put your views across the group.

Assert- Be assertive not aggressive.

Articulate- Work continuously towards articulating your ideas into meaningful sentences to make the best impact. Be clear in your speech.

Use Body language - Use non-verbal communication to emphasize points as it will give more weight age to your ideas.

Listen- Be an attentive listener also so that you can collect relevant data to summarize.

Quality, not quantity matters- it's not 'how much' you say, but 'what' you say that's important.

Speech clarity – your words should be clear and loud with confidence.

To prepare for a group discussion, keep track of latest happenings and current affairs round the world. Being aware of current affairs, issues and happenings reflect our inquisitiveness to learn and know about the world we are living in. Make a habit of reading newspapers and magazines, watch interesting documentaries and profiles on television to get a wider perspective on issues.

As an individual, your intelligence, general knowledge and core competencies are measured through the aptitude test. As a team player, your ability to lead and play in team is measured in the GD. 

Full time PGDM vs Distance PGDM

Full time PGDM is a regular 2-year programme approved by AICTE with all the necessary exposure which is must for a graduate to become a competent manager or self-employed entrepreneur. It prepares him/her to understand the finer aspects associated with corporate functioning through series of seminars, academic activities, extracurricular events and industrial visits which are integrated into the course curriculum.

It instills confidence in the professional to take on the challenges head on and remain poised and confident. Daily interaction with peer group members and faculty members helps to sharpen their communication skills along with team-building skills. 

Admission Open for PGDM : 2015-2017

                        

Distance PGDM is a part-time programme which can be an option for the eligible candidates who are working professionals or self-employed entrepreneurs and not able to attend full time regular programme due to time constraints or some other reasons.

This programme may help professionals whose promotions or raise in salaries are dependent upon the degree as it may help them get the long pending dues in terms of salary or position.

Apart from the above advantages, there are some disadvantages of distance PGDM programme

1. No weight age by most companies.
2. Complete absence of real-time interaction with teachers.
3. Virtual class rooms making over-dependence on technology.
4. Lack of practical exposure.
5. Lack of interaction with peer groups resulting into no feeling of higher education.
6. Lack of participation in academic and extra-curricular activities resulting into same personality traits with no tangible improvements except acquiring of degree.

You can opt for PGDM Course at Accurate Institute of Management & Technology an AICTE Approved PGDM Institutes in Greater Noida to shape your career as per your need. 

PGDM Vs MBA: Choose To Shape Your Future

PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) is an autonomous management programme approved by AICTE which focuses sharply on holistic developmental needs of the professionals so that they can do well in their domains be it the corporate world or their business. 

Students @ Accurate

The programme covers all aspects related to hard skills, industry visits, live projects. The guest lectures by professionals from industry give the students industry-specific inputs so that they can prepare themselves accordingly. The Summer Internship Project gives them the exposure for dealing in the corporate world and enhances their inter-personal skills. It is a value-added programme rather an exciting journey to the corporate world.

Therefore the course offers dual specialisation out of the five disciplines wherein corporate world need managers, namely:

·        Marketing

·        Finance

·        Human Resources (HR)

·        Information Technology (IT)

·        International Business (IB)

MBA (Master of Business Administration)

It is a university-affiliated management programme of any recognised university. Any university has its own course curriculum which has to be strictly followed. It is not a customizable programme and any if any changes as per the changing needs of the industry are to be incorporated have to be decided by the university body only.

Accurate Institute of Management & Technology is offering MBA Two year’s full time programme (Affiliated to UPTU, Lucknow). Our MBA course has been developed with innovative teaching methodology including regular industrial interactions to groom them as techno business managers.

100% Placement for PGDM & MBA (2012-14) Batch 

What is Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)?

By PGDM we mean the most sought after professional course at the post graduate level known as the ‘Post Graduate Diploma in Management’. 

It is a two year program that aims at improving the productivity of the enrolled students and simultaneously their growth potential and professionalism at work place. Designed with an innovative pedagogy that builds the right management skill set required by employers and business market towards sustainable success it is the first step towards achieving professional dreams.

The course incorporates contemporary academic and practical concepts in the curriculum that maintains the dynamics in the course and makes it most popular in terms of professional courses.

AIMT PGDM Course 

WHY ACCURATE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FOR PGDM?

AIMT has been awarded as the Best Management Institute in India time and again. The PGDM program here focuses on a globally relevant curriculum which has global width and yet Indian depth of situations to meet new market challenges.

The two years full time program offers specializations in Marketing, Finance, International Business, HR and IT. International exchange programs with renowned universities add to the global essence.

The cutting edge inputs by faculty who excel in their specializations expose students to actual challenging situations through live workshops.

The ability to update and innovate the curriculum to meet g-local needs enables students to come out as winners amidst uncertainty and ambiguity in present market trends caused due to rapid pace of development and changing business needs.

Accuratains are socially sensitive managers and leaders who make successful entrepreneurs. Enroll for Post Graduate Diplomain Management with Accurate Institute of Management Technology.

SECOND CONVOCATION AT ACCURATE

Accurate organized its second convocation, on 12^th July, the ceremony to award degrees to students and honorary graduates. It is also a process to ensure that the students have seamless transition to industrial experience, and have a glimpse of how the corporate world works. The Convocation’s major objective is to establish and further develop mutually beneficial relationships between Accurate and its alumni so as to promote the welfare of the Institute and future members.

The program commenced with the registration of students, lamp lighting by the esteemed guests, followed by Sarawati vandana.

The Chairman, Mr. C.L.Sharma, started the day’s proceedings with the address to the students, and said that, for India’s political and economic stability, it is important that we have truly “inclusive” growth – growth that benefits each and every citizen of the country, especially those who are on the margins of society and at the base of the socio-economic pyramid. He called upon the faculty and students of Accurate to focus on the problems of the bottom of the pyramid and develop innovative solutions to address their concerns.

The Chairman said that, as they stepped into the professional world, they must remember that the potential for learning is never exhausted. Education is a life-long process, he said, and expressed the hope that their studies would have inspired the students to seek knowledge at every stage in their careers. He stressed the need for students to become job creators, instead of seekers,  and added that many experts have felt the need for a renewed focus by our management institutions towards courses on entrepreneurship.

The Group Director, Ms. Poonam Sharma, stressed on the changing business scenario, and the increased importance of Institute-Industry partnerships, she added,  at a time when AIMT is consolidating its course structure, it should leverage this opportunity and design management programmes in a manner that will match the Industry expectations and become a model for others to follow. She stressed on the fact, that we need a strategy to make the Indian Industry compete successfully with the best in the world.

Skilled manpower has to play a key role in this strategy. A healthy growth of Indian business will be greatly facilitated by the availability of a competent cadre of management professionals. She lamented the fact that, according to an international ranking of universities, no Indian university figures among the top 200 universities of the world, and added that the efforts must be aimed at taking Indian universities into the top-league. Innovation is also an important driver for growth. Unfortunately, we also lag behind our major competitors in this aspect,

Dr. Rajeev Bhardwaj, Executive  Director, continued the proceedings with a warm welcome to the students and a hope that each and every dream of students gets fulfilled, before they depart Accurate on a fresh journey to commence their career. 

Dr. Bhardwaj, talked about the necessity of trained managers, who would be ready to make India, a destination for global talent and manufacturing base. He also stressed the increasing role of the service sector and the important role that India could play.

Stressing on the role of Accurate he said “Indian economy is passing through a very bad phase, with the crashing value of rupee, corruption, and inflation. India needs skilled manpower, it needs to attract FDI, its only the increased efficiency of the manufacturing base, India will be able to increase the exports and  expand the GDP. We, at Accurate ensure that our students are very well geared up to accept those challenges and deliver from day one. Our course curriculum is so designed to deal very effectively with the requirements of the corporate world and we update our courses as per their need on regular basis. We, at Accurate not only update our students with current changes which are taking place in and around us but also sensitize certain social issues which will help our students to become responsible citizen.”

The Chief Guest, Dr. B N Ramesh, IPS 1988 Batch (West Bengal Cadre) B. Tech., PGDM (IIM), and Ph.D. (IIT). He joined Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in 2008, stressed that the true meaning of development can be achieved only when the benefits trickle down to the lowest strata of the society, he talked about the work-life balance and the need to work hard to achieve the goals of life, without becoming too materialistic, the major cause of all the problems that the youth faces today. He blessed the students and stressed the need for professional education.                       

The program ended with vote of thanks to the distinguished guests, parents, and industry partners.

NATIONAL FINANCE SEMINAR – PERSONAL FINANCE IN TURBULENT TIMES: 22nd Feb, 2014.

Greater Noida, 22^nd Feb, 2014:  Accurate Group of Institutions hosted its Second (2^nd ) National Finance Seminar focusing on the changing dimensions of personal finance, its importance and practices in the current business environment under the supervision of  Dr. Rajeev Bhardwaj, Executive Director and the faculty members of  Finance.

The objective of the seminar was to encourage industry-institute interface and expose students to the importance of managing personal finance, encourage them to think beyond concepts taught in the class, traditional practices and books, and instill in their minds the global Financial practices that are being exercised by Finance Professionals nowadays. This seminar was intended to increase the industry interaction and most of the speakers were invited from the corporate. To learn the tricks of trade from the practicing finance managers, in the fast changing Indian financial scenario, spread awareness and improve personal capabilities of students so that they are capable to deliver from day one, and strive for business excellence.  The seminar included high-profile speakers, invited from industry and academia.

The program commenced with the registration of participants, Saraswati Vandana, followed by welcome and felicitation of the sessions chair, Dr. Jaya Bhalla, Associate Professor, National Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad, CA Manish Kumar, Director, Adhya Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. And Mr. V.Krishnan, Sr. Executive Accounts, Redington India Ltd. and other speakers followed by lighting of the lamp by all eminent members.

Ms. Poonam Sharma (Group Director) stressed the fact that Finance is the life-line of organizations, and finance professionals are the pulse of the vibrant organizations, and strategic financial planning is the source of competitive advantage, she also stated that Finance is the first choice of brilliant PGDM students.

Dr. Rajeev Bhardwaj, started the proceedings with a warm welcome and words of of gratitude for all the speakers, who despite their busy schedule had come for the seminar. His words motivated the students to work hard, as Finance is a tough discipline to practice, results have to be delivered and the managers need to be on their toes 24 X 7, he also discussed about the new developments, like social media, use of analytics etc., changing the financial scenario. He spoke about the necessity of knowledgeable managers, who would be ready to handle any situation. He also stressed on the increasing role of professional finance managers in the current business scenario.

Sessions-chair, Dr. Jaya Bhalla, Associate Professor, National Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad led the morning session bringing forth the importance of Personal Finance Practices and how financial policies are shaping up the changes in the life style of individuals, the dire need to understand the importance of money.  Her session was followed by other eminent Speakers CA Manish Kumar, Director, Adhya Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. Spoke on Asset Allocation Strategy,  and explained how to balance risk versus reward by adjusting the percentage of each asset in an investment portfolio according to the investor's risk tolerance, goals and investment time frame. He demonstrated this by giving various examples from industry.

Mr. V.Krishnan, Sr. Executive Accounts, Redington India Ltd., spoke on Investing for specific purposes, and explained the importance of inculcating the habit of saving early.

The second Session was chaired by Dr. Sharad Ranjan, Associate Professor, Dr. Zakir Hussain College, University of  Delhi, who shared some of his views on  Investment Planning & Choosing a Financial Planner

His speech was followed by Mr. Nitesh Jain, Manager, KPMG, who interacted with students on Investing through various Mutual Fund, followed by other speakers from other Industries.

This program was attended by various corporate professionals, academicians and students of various institutions.      

The program ended with vote of thanks to the distinguished guests and attendees by Dr. S.K.Matta.

source: http://www.accurate.in

NATIONAL MARKETING SEMINAR – MARKETING NEW DIRECTIONS AND DIMENSIONS : 8TH Feb,2014.

Greater Noida, 8^TH Feb, 2014:  Accurate Group of Institutions hosted its Second (2^nd ) National Marketing Seminar focusing on the changing dimensions of Marketing, its practices in the current Business Environment under the supervision of  Dr. Rajeev Bhardwaj, Executive Director and the faculty members of  Marketing department.

The objective of the seminar was to encourage students to think beyond concepts taught in the class,  traditional practices and books, and instill in their minds the global Marketing practices that are being exercised by Marketing Professionals nowadays. This seminar was intended to increase the institute industry interaction and to learn the tricks of trade by practicing marketing managers in the fast changing Indian marketing scenario, spread awareness and improve personal capabilities of students so that they are capable to deliver from day one, and strive for business excellence. 

The program commenced with the registration of participants, Saraswati vandana, followed by welcome and felicitation of Chairperson, Professor R. J. Masilamani, Ex MD & CEO of Timex and Mr. Akshay Kaura,  CEO Wirehead Technologies and  other speakers followed by lighting of the Lamp by all eminent members.

Ms. Poonam Sharma (Group Director) also stressed the value of Marketing professionals by stating that it’s  the pulse of the vibrant organizations, and the revenue earner, she also stated that Marketing is the first choice of PGDM students and the entire batch opts for Marketing, as one of the major.

Dr. Rajeev Bhardwaj, started the proceedings with a warm welcome and words of of gratitude for all the speakers. His words motivated the students to work hard, as Marketing is a tough discipline to practice, results have to be delivered and the managers need to be on their toes 24 X 7, he also discussed about the new developments, like social media, use of analytics etc., changing the marketing scenario. He spoke about the necessity of knowledgeable managers, who would be ready to handle any situation. He also stressed on the increasing role of the marketing managers in the current business scenario.

Chairperson Prof. Masilamani led the morning session bringing forth the importance of Global Marketing Practices and how Marketing policies are shaping up the changes in various organizations. 

His session was followed by other eminent Speakers:

Mr. Akshay Kaura MD Wirehead spoke on approaches to align the marketing with Business needs, he shared his earlier experiences of marketing computers, and how he diversified into training and networking. He stressed the need of adaptability for marketing professionals.

Mr Kavee Kumar, Country head of Globe Capital Market Limited- presented his views on challenges before the sales team in forging relations with customers. The importance of customer relations and the growing impact of  e-marketing and business to business marketing. gave some tips and  on how to manage talent at the workplace, he shared his experiences and viewpoints on how to create a strategic win - win situation between the buyer and seller.

The second Session was chaired by Mr. Ashwani Kumar VP Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. who shared some of his experiences in the steel industry and stressed the need for better trained managers, the industry is looking for.

His speech was followed by other speakers from various Industries present to interact with students.

Mr. Manish Chib, Director- India Operations at KUWARE Austin TX, Online Marketing, Android & iPhone Apps and Websites emphasized on topics like developing organizational e-marketing  process.  Also imparted insight into methods to facilitate business to business marketing.

Mr. Ankit Sangal, Director, Win Healthcare OTC division, emphasized on the need and necessity of developing new talent and developing new marketing leaders.

This program was attended by various corporate professionals, academicians and students of various institutions.      

The program ended with vote of thanks to the distinguished guests and attendees by Prof. Arun Singh and Prof. Mukesh Sehrawat.

source: http://www.accurate.in