After bringing to you the top MBA experts like Jaya Desai of IMS Learning, R Shiva Kumar of Career Launcher, Srijan Pal Singh of PT Education, IIM-C alumnus Sidharth Balakrishna, MBAUniverse.com hosted Mr. Hirdesh Madan, North Head, Bulls Eye, Chandigarh on the Live Expert Chat on Saturday, 27 March 2010. MBA aspirants posed their personal queries on GD, PI and essay writing to Mr. Madan.

We bring to you today the excerpts from the chat:

Q: Praveen: In a GD, I have an important point to say but don’t have enough facts to back it. Will it be wise to mention the point?

A: It depends on your number of entries in the GD. If you have not entered yet in the GD or have entered just one or two times then you must enter with the point. However if you have already given enough viewpoints then you should enter only if you are able to add value.
 
Q: Sujeet: How do I ensure that I can utilize my listening skills especially in a chaotic GD where everyone speaks their own point?

A: In an intermittent fish market scenario listening is important but entering the GD with counter arguments is not a wise strategy. Focus your energies on adding new perspectives. It is the limitation of human brain to focus on one voice at one point of time so just listen to them who are able to speak by creating silence zone. On the rest of the time channelize your energies on new points.
 
Q: Aakanksha: In an interview when a panelist asks a question, is it compulsory to look at him/her only or shall I also look at others?

A: Start answering by making eye contact with the panelist who has asked the question. Then immediately make firm eye contact with the entire panel while completing your answer. You never know who the boss there is.
 
Q: Dewang: In a GD, which is most important? Talking first, entering multiple times or the content of what I speak?

A: Starting the GD is a high risk high return strategy. Enter only if you can define the topic and expand the scope of topic for discussion. You must have enough content for speaking for at least one to two minutes. Ideally it is not the number of times you enter the GD. It is every time you enter, are you able to add the value (you were heard in a silence zone, you had structure in your thought process, good eye contact, modulation of voice, gestures etc.).
 
Q: Nikhil: While summarizing the GD, is it necessary to give personal opinion about the GD?

A: While summarizing, you are your group spokesperson. Do not let your frustration of ‘unable to speak’ take over the summary. Just summarize on content which was discussed by the group. Do not talk or comment on or about the individual group members.
 
Q: Arun: Shall I look at the moderator during GD?

A: Do not try to control others, it may backfire. Any role you take must be in a very subtle manner.
 
Q: Rahul: Which are the gestures that should be absolutely avoided during GD & PI?

A: Any kind of negative body language such as pointing fingers, playing with pen or paper in your hand, bending too much forward while sitting, hands invading other's personal space, cross talk, control facial expressions if anything goes wrong or you are frustrated.

Q: Alok: Is one to one interaction allowed in a GD?

A: It is advisable to involve every body in the discussion by making firm eye contact with the group. One to one situations are not recommended and they do not last long in a healthy group.
 
UPCOMING LIVE EXPERT CHAT
The next Live Expert Chat will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 5 pm onwards. The expert for the chat will be Mr. Siddharth Jindal, IInd Year PGPM student at IIM Lucknow.

Excerpts from the previous Live Expert Chats

To read the excerpts from the previous Live Expert Chats, click on the following links:

http://www.mbauniverse.com/aspirantinn-id-3032.htm
http://www.mbauniverse.com/mbaexam/mbaexamfullstory.php?id=3008
http://www.mbauniverse.com/campusinner-id-3021.htm
http://www.mbauniverse.com/aspirantinn-id-3060.htm

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more advice on GD, PI, Essay Writing!