4. Did the experience of diversity (cognitive, demographic, etc.

) have any impact on

your groups functioning? Explain with examples.
Diversity in group is a very important and defining factor as it influences the performance
and satisfaction of the group. As far as our group was concerned, diversity had decisive role
to play. Diversity in our group brought creative approach and helped us understand the role of
individuals according to situations and handle them maturely. Diversity was present in terms
of gender, age, cultural and educational backgrounds, and job experience. Our group
comprised of 5 male and 2 female members, age bracket was 20 to 25 years. 3 members had
work experience, 2 were freshers and 2 IPM participants (total 4 members without work
experience).
Different parameters which affected the group functioning are:
1. Gender: Presence of female members in the group helped to bring new ideas and group
was driven to handle work more seriously. The difference in behaviour of male participants
can be easily felt in presence and absence of female members. The approach and working
methodology also gets affected when gender diversity is present.
Example: Due to time constrains and systematic time management habits of some members,
the group was driven to complete task effectively keeping others in mind.
2. Age: Presence of senior members in group helped in handling tasks more seriously and in
a professional way. Age in group varied from 20 to 25 years. Senior members also played
roles of moderators, conflict solvers and guiders whereas younger members poured in new
ideas and learnt how to handle work professionally from senior members.
Example: While doing assignments in group its easy to deviate from topic (jokes, chitchatting etc.). Senior members brought sense of seriousness and made others realize
responsibilities.
3. Cultural and Educational Background: Participants belonged to different states like
Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Maharashtra, U.P. and Orissa, cultures varied as well. We came
to know how system works in different areas and how to keep audiences belonging to
different parts of the country in mind while doing geographic and demographic analysis in
any case. Also as one member belonged from T.N. each member had to keep in mind that
common language to communicate was English although he could understand Hindi too.
Educational background also played a good role though this parameter wasnt much diverse
in nature (5 engineers and 2 IPMs). It was sometimes felt that the task was going in a straight
forward direction but IPM members were keen to point out and enrich projects with their
creative ideas. Some members were good in quantitative analysis while some excelled in
theoretical knowledge learned from readings and it took minimal time to assign roles.
Example: During SMOD assignments IPM students already had experience of working with
excel which helped freshers to learn and ask doubts, also which discussing marketing cases,

points were made keeping in mind people from different regions which was made possible
only because of cultural diversity present in group.
4. Job Experience: Our group had 3 people with work experience. Their approach to
perform any task was very effective and professional which helped other members to learn
and grow. Whenever strategies and planning were involved, these people were seen
dominating and others following their lead which was very fruitful and helped the group in a
positive way. 2 members had experience in IT field so they guided how to perform analysis
and bringing examples from their work places whereas 1 person had experience of working
for Steel plant, so he brought helpful insights on actual field work and real time problem
solving.
Example: Work allotted to different individuals, especially quantitative analysis was
rechecked by people having prior experience in such kind of analysis and it was made sure
that the concepts were understood by all the members rather than limiting the reach to only
those who already knew it. Guidance as well as new approaches were discovered following
such kind of practices.