Archive | Trial Consulting

Customers: Happier when they leave

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 27, 2020

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Pie Power, Small Business Success, Sweet Delights, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

We recently visited with our friend Ms. Debbie at Sweet Delights in Homestead. During our conversation, she commented that she wants her customers to be happier when they leave than when they arrived. She has much to offer in that regard with her wonderful cakes and pies, which are truly sweet delights. Her effervescent personality […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 27, 2020

Magnus is in the trial consulting business, not the bakery business. Our clients come to us to obtain our expert assistance in solving significant problems, not because they want something sweet to eat. However, despite the vast differences between Magnus and Ms. Debbie’s company, Sweet Delights, we share a common goal: Keeping the customer satisfied. […]

Hurricanes and Jury Selections

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 25, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

Recently, residents of Florida were threatened by another hurricane. In Florida, hurricanes are as much a part of our existence as that famous mouse in Orlando. Sooner or later, we Floridians will have to stop what we are doing and prepare, whether we like it or not, whether we have something better to do, or […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 25, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I’m writing this following another hurricane non-event. A near miss – really near, less than 100 miles. We did get some wind and rain, but we were ready. We spent a full day preparing, a “wasted” Saturday effort as it turns out, and a full day resetting everything, a “wasted” Sunday. I can only say […]

Nuclear Verdicts: Part 2

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 20, 2020

Category: Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

Face it, some trials are bad, there is liability, there are real damages. Evaluating those honestly and without bias is what we, as trial consultants, help our clients accomplish. And, that said, the other issue in mock jury research when we work for the defense is that the plaintiff’s argument, when presented during the mock […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 20, 2020

Over the years, I have heard some interesting remarks from defense attorneys and insurance adjusters following their observations of mock juries deliberating on their case. One client, who is a defense attorney but who was, for reasons unknown to me, hired to represent numerous plaintiffs in a billion dollar class action case, told me that […]

Melissa the Drill Sgt.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 18, 2020

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

Among my family members and friends, I am usually the quietest, most introverted, person in the room. I do not enjoy idle chit chat as a way of passing the time, nor do I enjoy telling (not to mention listening to!) long winded stories with off the point digressions. When I have something to say, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 18, 2020

The “Melissa as drill sergeant” is one of the most lasting stories in the history of Magnus. Henry Latimer was such a gentleman, but he was tough. As a former Marine, and former judge, he was a master of handling difficult cases and clients. He quickly became a favorite of ours and was a pleasure […]

Nuclear Verdicts: Part 1

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 13, 2020

Boom – the verdict is in and it is explosive, shocking everyone involved. These verdicts are referred to “nuclear verdicts,” with the implication that they are both large and unreasonable. I read about this phenomenon regularly. It is a trend that frightens one side of the “v.” – the defense side, and emboldens the other […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 13, 2020

When David and I founded Magnus in 1993, we used a slogan in our marketing materials, “Reducing Uncertainty.” We know, based on our experience in conducting mock trials, focus groups, and attitude surveys, that our research results provide our clients with information about which they would have never known without our help. Knowing this information […]

We Don’t Have to do Anything

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 11, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I meet a lot of people in my work as a jury/trial consultant and in my “other life” as a musician. David says I don’t often respond to meeting new people very well, however, I believe many people I meet aren’t the kind of people with whom I would like to become further acquainted. A […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 11, 2020

From time to time I’ve observed these “have to do” clients and Melissa is right, it is a negative mindset. We’ve had clients call and say they have to do a mock trial because their client is making them do it. (With that attitude, I think the clients are on to something about how the […]

Front of the house and back of the house

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 4, 2020

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

David and I are fortunate to have excellent restaurants located near our home in south Florida. To us, an excellent restaurant is not a chain restaurant; rather, it is a local, family owned restaurant whose proprietors take as much pride in their food and libations as we take in owning and operating our business. An […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 4, 2020

Melissa’s comparison to front of house and back of house is interesting as we often struggle to figure out the division of labor. But, she’s right in that though I participate in day of research duties and report writing, that’s her bailiwick. She, like the chef, creates the “meat” of what we do as trial […]

“I’ll be there on time if…”

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 23, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Travel, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Partnerships, Psychology, RoadWarrior, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

Magnus Research Consultants has, for many years, employed on a part time basis people who work with us exclusively on research days. We call our wonderful part time staff members Research Technicians because they handle numerous technical aspects of our research, including video camera operation, video editing, and oversight of our mock jurors. The majority […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 23, 2020

I never thought I’d get schooled in racism along the way when hiring employees. But, it has happened! While Melissa has observed more of these racist incidents directly than have I, ensuring that our team is not negatively impacted by these experiences has forced me into some uncomfortable roles, and required some creativity. With regard […]

Learning New Tricks

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 11, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Business Travel, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Small Business Success, Travel, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting, Workplace Technology

As I write this, it has been just over a month since the world’s doors slammed shut. Or, at least the doors in the U.S.A, or at least, in Florida. Well, more or less shut – it changes day by day. As we’ve posted and will continue to do a few more times, COVID-19 has […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 11, 2020

I mentioned to a friend of mine, who is a retired attorney and, prior to retiring, was a long time client of Magnus’, that David and I are in the process of re-inventing ourselves, and Magnus, in this time of social isolation. He remarked that it seems a shame for me to have spent my […]

Working Remote – Transparency

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 28, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Workplace Technology

In this time of forced social distancing, with many people working remotely from home or on quarantine, I have been using some of my time to make calls or otherwise contact clients about outstanding proposals, etc. I always have a stack of people to call upon, so I’ve been reaching out. The results of these […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 28, 2020

One of my favorite “gate keeper” responses, when I ask to speak with one of Magnus’ clients (including returning his/her call) is “Please hold. Let me see if he wants to take your call.” Wow! Talk about a put down! That kind of response makes me wish I never called. Far better to say “Please […]

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Archive | Trial Consulting

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

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