2's Company - MagnusInsights.com

About this blog

After more than 25 years operating a trial consulting practice together as co-founding partners of Magnus Research Consultants, Inc. and Magnus Graphics, Inc., and more than 30 years of marriage, Dr. Melissa Pigott and David Fauss decided to share some of their thoughts, experiences, pet peeves, and perspectives on operating a small “mom & pop” business. The intended audience for their writings is other business owners, as well as employees of small businesses. Trial consulting is a professional service business, as was David’s photography business. There are many unique issues faced by professional service providers; Melissa and David share some of their insights on running a successful business.

COVID-19 By the Numbers: Part 2 – Hope

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 7, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Trial Consultants, Work-Life

To have hope in dealing with COVID-19, one must have perspective. Perspective comes from knowing other numbers. For example, the flu kills 100 people a day in the U.S. (more or less, depending on source). Most people are unaware of the rate at which other diseases kill. Here is a sample (based on numbers from […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 7, 2020

David has created some interesting charts designed to give the readers of this blog some hope for the future when we resume our lives. Although I, like everyone else, hope we will return to “normal” soon, I believe normal will be different from what normal used to be, in the good old days before COVID-19 […]

My Suits Have Nowhere to Go

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 5, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus

Like many people who work in professional settings, since I earned my Ph.D., I have always worked in environments that require me to wear a business suit. “Business suit” was defined by my employers as a dressy blouse, topped with tailored skirt and matching jacket. I was also required to wear “leg covering,” meaning sheer […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 5, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus

I never thought I/we would be longing for wearing a suit, or for me, a tie. I have not worn a suit in the last 2 months – a time period longer than any in the last 30 years! My suits are literally collecting dust. And, the ties, well I don’t think I will forget […]

COVID-19 By the Numbers: Part 1 – Fear

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 30, 2020

As we are all experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, we are bombarded with numbers. Working with data, i.e., numbers, is a way of life for Melissa and me. Because of that, I’ve been frustrated from day 1 that, while we are being given some numbers, we are not being given others. Further, some of the “numbers […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 30, 2020

Interpreting statistical data is not for the faint hearted. I should know; I have both taken and taught courses in statistics. I use statistics on a regular basis at work. (SPSS, anyone?) For the most part, the average person cannot begin to understand statistics. For many people, understanding mathematics is a challenge and, based on […]

COVID-19 was Only One of Many Distractions

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 28, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

How I wish for a workplace free of distractions! On March 12, 2020, when the U.S.A. was still a relatively “normal” place, Magnus conducted a relatively large series of mock trials for a client. Conducting mock jury research requires many days of report writing for me, which necessitates highly concentrated efforts and high level thought […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 28, 2020

It often amazes me how much work Melissa and I have to do that has nothing to do with being a trial consultant, things which are not productive, and don’t create any revenue. On this fateful Monday, I found myself seeking out the property manager to report the plumbing problem, then working with him to […]

COVID Brain

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 23, 2020

Category: Business personalities, Business Relationships, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Mental Health, Partnerships, Psychology, Small Business Success, Work-Life

As I write this, the world is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, this is my first post related to this universal experience. I have noticed a phenomenon soon after restrictions were placed on movement, gathering, socializing, etc., which seems to be a form of shell shock. As the gravity of the […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 23, 2020

In times like these, mindless behavior is, unfortunately, the norm. Many people are suffering from duress due to lost employment, inability to pay bills, and worry about their future. Forced to stay at home, we are realizing that, maybe, going to work every day is something we used to take for granted. Many of us […]

If the cake is bad, what good is the frosting?

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 21, 2020

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

David and I become inspired to write our blog posts in a variety of ways, including by sources that many people would not find particularly inspiring. As an example, this post was inspired by a fortune cookie that was included in a recent delivery from a local Chinese restaurant. Many so called fortunes found inside […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 21, 2020

If the cake is bad, what good is the frosting? I guess this is similar to the adage about not judging a book by its cover. The book cover, or the frosting, can cover up what is worn or rotten inside. Cutting the cake, looking under the hood, or beyond a glossy cover, reveals what […]

Twilight Zone

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 16, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

“Help, I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone” go the lyrics of the 1982 song by Golden Earring. The twilight zone, where things are not as they seem, was envisioned, and brought to the small and big screen, by the imagination of Rod Serling. I hear this song in my head each time I enter the […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 16, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

Dementia is a strange disease that plays strange tricks on the minds of those who suffer from it, and sometimes, on the minds of those who interact with dementia patients. Based on my education as a psychologist, as well as my experience with family members and friends who suffer from dementia and mental illness, I […]

We Can’t Make our Clients Do Anything

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 14, 2020

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

David and I recently attended a meeting with attorneys and their clients regarding a case for which they were considering retaining Magnus. The clients of the attorneys are a group of wealthy, sophisticated people who are accustomed to getting their way in all aspects of their lives. These individuals are from a variety of professional […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 14, 2020

Many years ago, after we had completed a mock jury project for a first time client and he had resolved the case, I made a follow up call to him to ask his impressions. He said everything was great, but he did have one complaint, he said, “You should have made me do this sooner.” […]

It’s all guesswork…

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 9, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I was recently discussing with a client Melissa’s involvement as a trial consultant during jury selection. The attorney was well seasoned, has had many trials, but has never engaged a trial consultant to assist during jury selection. And, like most attorneys these days, the opportunities to conduct jury selection, and go to trial, with everything […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 9, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I’m not sure which of Magnus’ uninformed/misinformed clients made this remark to David, but this remark is another reminder that seemingly intelligent, sophisticated people are sometimes not as intelligent or sophisticated as they would like other people to believe. Guesswork? Did this guy say guesswork? There is nothing, absolutely nothing, involving guesswork in my jury […]

Theo

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 7, 2020

Category: Business Relationships, Business Travel, Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Travel, Trial Consulting

I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. During my career as a jury/trial consultant, I have traveled across the U.S.A. to work with attorneys. Part of my travel experience is staying in hotels in the cities where I am working. In places where Magnus works on a frequent basis, such as David’s hometown, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 7, 2020

Category: Business Relationships, Business Travel, Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Travel, Trial Consulting

Anonymity is the norm when traveling. Different flights, different airports, different hotels, and different restaurants. It is a relatively rare situation to end up getting acquainted with someone who works in one of these places. And, if you do see a familiar person from time to time on subsequent trips, the connection is generally perfunctory. […]

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About this blog

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

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.

About Magnus