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.

Herman’s Army

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 27, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

This is another post in the series of “growing old is not for sissies.” The twists and turns of aging require frequent adjustments. For Dad, the last 6-8 months have involved many. Hospital, then rehab, then relocation to a new assisted living community, adjustments to new people at the new place, adjustments to his new […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 27, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

David’s comments about all of the people involved in his parents’ care is another example of the phenomenon known as “it takes a village.” In the case of frail, elderly parents, it is difficult for many families to assume a care giving role, particularly if family members live out of town, are employed, and/or have […]

A Jury Consultant’s View of Jury Duty

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 25, 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

I recently had the privilege of being summoned to appear for jury duty in Broward County, Florida, where I have lived for almost 30 years. Unlike almost everyone I know, I was not dismayed, afraid, or angry to receive my jury summons. I was, in fact, somewhat happy about it, as well as hopeful that, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 25, 2020

I’m not certain, but I think I’ve been called for jury duty about 5 times since moving to Broward County in 1991. On two occasions, after arriving at a very early hour, and spending several hours in the jury assembly room enduring the tedious process, I was sent home without going to a courtroom. On […]

Neil Peart: Best of the Best

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 20, 2020

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

I’m writing this a week after the death of the rock and roll icon, drummer, lyricist, author, motorcyclist, and very private Neil Peart of RUSH. I’ve mentioned RUSH before in posts, and the fact that I’m a big fan, since about 1980. Neil’s impact on music is much more than his status as one of […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 20, 2020

Because of David and his status as a die hard RUSH fan, I have been listening to RUSH music, at loud volumes, for over 30 years. In addition, due to a rather bizarre set of circumstances, David and I have had the pleasure of meeting, on several occasions, one of the members of the band. […]

Reverse Hardships: Who Wants to Be Here?

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 18, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research

I have assisted attorneys in selecting juries since 1991. That’s a long time. I have been involved in hundreds of jury selections across the U.S.A., from Alaska to Florida. Never, until recently, have I witnessed a judge asking a large panel of potential jurors the following question: “Who wants to serve as a juror on […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 18, 2020

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research

In that I do not do the in-court consultation as Melissa does, it is difficult to comment on this experience directly. But, it is refreshing to hear of a positive action, an improvement, made to the jury selection system. Having a judge “think out of the box” (oh, how I hate that overused phrase), and […]

2020

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 13, 2020

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

Well, here we are. It’s 2020. Lots of celebrations, talk about the new decade, and the roaring 20s. But, many of us think of it with the term “hindsight” attached, as in “hindsight is 20/20,” meaning that when looking backward, things that were once unclear become clear. Monday morning quarterbacking is related. If we see […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 13, 2020

As we enter into a new year and a new decade, many people enjoy reminiscing about the past, while others eschew the past and focus their sights on the unknowns that will occur in future times. As business owners, David and I spend some time reflecting on our past successes and failures (and their have […]

You have control over your reactions

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 11, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

David and I have attended hundreds of meetings with attorneys and their clients in the decades we have owned and operated Magnus Research Consultants. Usually, these meetings are non eventful. Their purpose is often to explain to the end client (the person involved in the lawsuit) the advantages of retaining a litigation consultant to assist […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 11, 2020

Litigation is stressful! Having been there ourselves, Melissa and I know about the stress, the lost sleep, the lost focus on “real work,” and the time required to be an active participant in one’s case. I get it. I also know the costs of sticking one’s neck out – even if one must do it […]

Don’t Confuse Expenses with Investments

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 6, 2020

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

This post is prompted by a comment made by someone with whom we frequently work in our litigation consulting business. He remarked how he hoped clients would recognize the value of our work, and his work, and see it as an investment, not just another litigation expense or cost. As I explained to someone yesterday, […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 6, 2020

The quote David mentions was made by Bob Howe, who is an investigator with whom I have had the pleasure of working during jury selection. A mutual client retained Bob for an upcoming case but was initially undecided about whether to retain me. It seems that, in today’s litigation world, the services of a private […]

Linda Foley

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 4, 2020

Category: Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Psychology, Travel, Work-Life

I met Dr. Linda Anderson Foley in 1980, soon after I began graduate school. At the time I met Dr. Foley, she was dating my major professor. Their long distance romance did not continue, however, because, at the time I met her, Dr. Foley was the chairperson of the Psychology Department at the University of […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 4, 2020

Category: Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Psychology, Travel, Work-Life

Linda Foley was one of the first psychologists to whom Melissa introduced me because they were so close. Though I don’t like talking about her in the past tense, I will say she was kind, smart, positive and committed to her work as a teacher, researcher, and administrator. We had lots of fun together over […]

Know when to ask for help

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 30, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

We, at Magnus, recently ventured into new technological waters and various challenges surprised us. This is not about the specifics of that situation, but rather, a more global commentary on the need to be open to asking for help. In this situation, we, or rather our most excellent research assistant – tech person, got bogged […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 30, 2020

Any post that includes lyrics from a Lynyrd Skynyrd song is an excellent post, in my opinion! This being said, as David mentioned in a recent post, there are times to “do it yourself” and there are times to obtain expert advice and/or turn over a task entirely to someone who possesses greater expertise than […]

The Mini – wacky experiences

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 28, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Work-Life

It happened again. Today, as I was filling my Mini Cooper S Roadster with petrol (after all, British cars use petrol, not gas!), a woman whom I do not know walked up to me and exclaimed, “That’s the cutest car I have ever seen!”. I thanked her and continued what I was doing. She began […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 28, 2020

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Work-Life

Melissa has always had fun, fast, cars since we met. When we met, she drove a bright red Camaro – with a manual transmission that took me sometime to learn, though never master. Next was a black Corvette which she drove for 25 years – keeping the Vette mechanic happy along the way. Jumping to […]

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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