Generating Ideas for Group Discussion

---

As the content and fresh ideas are life and blood of any Group Discussion, at times many aspirants get confused regarding the idea generation. The aspirants many a time fail to understand the framework in order to generate relevant ideas for the discussion. In the absence of a sound framework, no doubt the apirants can generate ideas through brain storming, but many a times they end up with irrelevant ideas. Throwing irrelevant ideas in the Group Discussion can backfire and prove detrimental in the eyes of the evaluators. Since time to think and speak is limited in the Group Discussions, it is advisable to follow a sound framework to generate ideas.

Framework

The following three framework work in almost all Group Discussions:

1. Stakeholders Analysis
2. Keyword Approach
3. PESTLE Approach

Stakeholder’s Analysis

Stakeholders can be defined as the all the living beings including person, group, organization, animals, plants etc that has direct or indirect stake in an event or action. Or in other words stakeholders are all those entities that would be affected directly or indirectly through an event or action. For example consider the case “Saving Our national animal, Tiger”. In such case the following are the stakeholders:

1. Tigers
2. The other animals who are related to tigers in one way or the other like deer etc
3. Forest ecosystem
4. Forest authorities
5. Tourists who come to see the tigers
6. People dependent on tourism industry related to tigers like forest resorts, jeep drivers
7. Poachers
8. Forest dwellers
9. Tribals

In Stakeholder Analysis the following steps can be useful:

1. Identifying the stakeholders
2. Identifying the stakeholders that would be benefitted by the action or idea that you are proposing
3. Identifying the stakeholders that would be at a loss by the action or idea that you are proposing
4. Evaluating benefits v/s loss
5. The ways to maximize the benefits
6. The ways to minimize the losses
7. Conclusion

For example in this case you come up with an idea that to Save Tigers the Tourism in the core areas must be banned.  Now you can follow the above steps and generate the ideas to speak.

The keyword approach

The emphasis of this approach is to expand the meaning of each word and expression and then correlating it with the central idea. For example consider the topic “Culture of India is better than that of the western world”. As per the key word approach, you need to discuss the meaning of each word and expression as:

1. Meaning of culture
2. Components of culture
3. What is Indian culture?
4. What is western culture?
5. The basic difference between these two culture
6. Components and criteria for defining a “better culture”
7. Conclusion

Therefore in keyword approach every keyword is looked upon as a separate entity and its meaning and essence are defined. Compiling those meaning and essence the conclusion for the Group Discussion is drawn.

PESTLE Approach:

The PESTLE Approach is an analytical approach which addresses the issue from the following prespective:

1. Political
2. Economic
3. Socio-Cultural
4. Technological
5. Legal
6. Environmetal

What is Written communication? What are its advantages and disadvantages?

What is Written communication? What are its advantages and disadvantages?

Ans: Written communication is an innovative activity of the mind. Effective written communication is essential for preparing worthy promotional materials for business development. Speech came before writing. But writing is more unique and formal than speech. Effective writing involves careful choice of words, their organization in correct order in sentences formation as well as cohesive composition of sentences. Also, writing is more valid and reliable than speech. But while speech is spontaneous, writing causes delay and takes time as feedback is not immediate.

Advantages of Written Communication

• Written communication helps in laying down apparent principles, policies and rules for running of an organization.
• It is a permanent means of communication. Thus, it is useful where record maintenance is required.
• It assists in proper delegation of responsibilities. While in case of oral communication, it is impossible to fix and delegate responsibilities on the grounds of speech as it can be taken back by the speaker or he may refuse to acknowledge.
• Written communication is more precise and explicit.
• Effective written communication develops and enhances an organization’s image.
• It provides ready records and references.
• Legal defenses can depend upon written communication as it provides valid records.

Disadvantages of Written Communication

• Written communication does not save upon the costs. It costs huge in terms of stationery and the manpower employed in writing/typing and delivering letters.
• Also, if the receivers of the written message are separated by distance and if they need to clear their doubts, the response is not spontaneous.
• Written communication is time-consuming as the feedback is not immediate. The encoding and sending of message takes time.
• Effective written communication requires great skills and competencies in language and vocabulary use. Poor writing skills and quality have a negative impact on organization’s reputation.
• Too much paper work and e-mails burden is involved.

What is Oral Communication?What are its advantages and disadvantages?

What is Oral Communication?What are its advantages and disadvantages?

 Ans: Oral communication implies communication through mouth. It includes individuals conversing with each other, be it direct conversation or telephonic conversation. Speeches, presentations, discussions are all forms of oral communication. Oral communication is generally recommended when the communication matter is of temporary kind or where a direct interaction is required. Face to face communication (meetings, lectures, conferences, interviews, etc.) is significant so as to build a rapport and trust.

Advantages of Oral Communication There is high level of understanding and transparency in oral communication as it is interpersonal. There is no element of rigidity in oral communication. There is flexibility for allowing changes in the decisions previously taken. The feedback is spontaneous in case of oral communication. Thus, decisions can be made quickly without any delay. Oral communication is not only time saving, but it also saves upon money and efforts. Oral communication is best in case of problem resolution. The conflicts, disputes and many issues/differences can be put to an end by talking them over. Oral communication is an essential for teamwork and group energy. Oral communication promotes a receptive and encouraging morale among organizational employees. Oral communication can be best used to transfer private and confidential information/matter.

Disadvantages/Limitations of Oral Communication

• Relying only on oral communication may not be sufficient as business communication is formal and very organized.
• Oral communication is less authentic than written communication as they are informal and not as organized as written communication.
• Oral communication is time-saving as far as daily interactions are concerned, but in case of meetings, long speeches consume lot of time and are unproductive at times.
• Oral communications are not easy to maintain and thus they are unsteady.
• There may be misunderstandings as the information is not complete and may lack essentials.
• It requires attentiveness and great receptivity on part of the receivers/audience.
• Oral communication (such as speeches) is not frequently used as legal records except in investigation work.

What are the objectives of Communication?

What are the objectives of Communication?

Ans. Various objectives of Communication are :—

1) Information: One of the most important objectives of communication is passing or receiving information about a particular fact or circumstance.

2) Advice: Advice is an important objective of communication as it involves personal opinions and is likely to be subjective. Advice is given to influence his/her opinion or behaviour.

3) Order: Order is an authoritative communication. The downward flow of information is dominated by orders. Orders may be written or oral, general or specific, procedural or operational, mandatory or discretionary.

4) Suggestion: Suggestion enjoys great advantage over other means of communication like advice or order. Suggestion is supposed to be very mild and subtle form of communication.

5) Persuasion: It is an important objective of communication. In the office or the factory, the lazy, the incompetent and the disgruntled workers have o be persuaded to do their work.

6) Education: Education is a very conscious process of communication. The main purpose of education is to widen knowledge as well as to improve skills.

7) Warning: Warning is a forceful means of communication as it demands immediate action. If employees do not abide by the norms of the organization, or violate the rules and regulations, it may become necessary to warn them.

8) Raising Morale: Morale boosting is only possible through communication. High morale results in better performance.

9) Motivation: Motivation energizes and activates a person and channelises his behaviour towards the attainment of desired goals.

Thus, motivation as a form of communication is very crucial in handling human behaviour.