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.

Small Business Ownership: Always On

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 23, 2019

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

One of the things I do when writing a blog post is to categorize it so that one can search for similar topics on our website. The list of categories has grown over time but has always included #WorkLife. Work Life is usually followed by “balance” as in work/life balance, meaning how to manage one’s […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 23, 2019

Owning a small business is not for the faint of heart. Owning a small business with one’s spouse is only for the heartiest of individuals. David and I are fortunate, in that our jobs within our company do not overlap. David has expertise in many areas, such as business management, finances, accounting, etc. that I […]

Talk to the mailman – he could be a Beatles fan

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 21, 2019

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research

Magnus has been headquartered in the same office since 1996. Over the years, we have had a variety of letter carriers, including some who were very nice and others, who were not so nice. I rarely see the letter carrier, due to the location of my office out of sight of our office’s entrance. Once […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 21, 2019

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research

It is easy in life to overlook others as we go about our daily business. But, one never knows where they will meet a friend or make a useful connection. Perhaps with the mailman, or the landscapers, or any other similar service provider, it is easy to ignore them as we go about being busy. […]

Tourniquets are Back

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 16, 2019

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Travel

I spent a recent Saturday morning taking a first aid class offered by an area hospital, in conjunction with the national campaign organized by several organizations, such as Stopthebleedingcoalition.org (search #stopthebleed to find a link). I attended the program to learn things I hope I never need to know or use. I’ve always been a […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 16, 2019

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Travel

The only thing I know about tourniquets is the song, “Tourniquet,” by Breaking Benjamin. I don’t share David’s zeal for being prepared, particularly when learning about being prepared occurs early on Saturday morning, at a hospital. David is more prepared for every situation than anyone else I know. Regardless of the situation, he is ready […]

The Beatles

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 14, 2019

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

I love The Beatles! As a matter of fact, I have been a huge fan of The Beatles since 1963. That’s a long time to like or love anything or anyone! My dad bought me my first Beatles album, then many more after that. My dad was a pretty cool guy, to say the least! […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 14, 2019

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

I got to know the Beatles as I got to know Melissa. That is to say, while I knew the Beatles’ music, I did not have much of an appreciation for them. But as I absorbed them through Melissa, a self described Beatles freak (with a particular fondness for John Lennon), I learned the history, […]

Common Sense (fill in the blank)

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 9, 2019

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Mental Health, Partnerships, Psychology

A growing pet peeve of mine is the use of phrases like “Common Sense” as in “Common Sense Legislation” or “Common Sense Rules.” (Fill in the blank after common sense with immigration reform, gun control, tax reform, health care reform, etc. and you’ll get an idea of the topics I’m thinking about when writing this.) […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 9, 2019

Category: Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Mental Health, Partnerships, Psychology

I’m not sure what sparked David’s sudden interest in common sense. Many people I know believe they possess common sense, defined as “sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.” Upon close examination of this, dictionary, definition of common sense, I will agree that many people have a simple […]

Dr. Susan Broome

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 7, 2019

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I am a social psychologist who, for the past 30 years, has been employed as a trial/jury consultant. Along the way and across the years, I have worked with many people, including several colleagues who have become long term friends. One of the most influential colleagues with whom I have ever worked is Dr. Susan […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 7, 2019

Some people in life teach you things they don’t even appreciate they are teaching. Sometimes this is done by example. Melissa observed that Susan purchased bouquets of fresh flowers each week, which brought some color to her home in the dreary winter world of Boston. Melissa started doing this when we lived in Atlanta, which […]

Cleaning the Closet

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 2, 2019

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

When we have lulls in “real work,” we have a to do list that keeps us from getting bored. At the top of that list recently was cleaning out the equipment closet. The equipment closet is where we store an array of items required for our work. You might think, by looking in our closet, […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 2, 2019

As David mentioned, we have invested many thousands of dollars on equipment since Magnus’ inception in 1993. I have many fond memories of our huge video cameras that reminded me of those used by TV camera crews. Those old cameras, when new, cost a small fortune, at least as far as I was concerned. When […]

Pretty Good for a Girl

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 30, 2019

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology

Recently, David and I attended a concert performed by Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers. (If the reader has not heard of Mindi Abair, I strongly urge you to become familiar with this excellent musician, who, like David and me, is a Florida native.) In addition to enjoying the fantastic musical experience, I was impressed with […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 30, 2019

I thought the Mindi Abair show was great! She has a tremendous stage presence, sings and plays the sax wonderfully, and, with her dynamite smile, was very photogenic (see my photos at www.dhfphotoworks.com – – go to the Rock & Roll gallery). Though I was familiar with her music, I was not aware of Her […]

Same as it Never Was

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 25, 2019

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Work-Life

With apologies in advance to David Byrne and others who wrote the song Same as it Ever Was, and which I recently heard, I was prompted to change “ever” to “never” for this post. Better stated, perhaps in the context of this post, it is perhaps Sane as it Never Was. As has been written […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 25, 2019

Everyone experiences dementia, and other psychological maladies, differently. In addition, families and friends of people with psychological problems react to the changes in their loved one’s behavior in their own, unique, ways. There are no two people who are alike and this truism applies to coping with mental health issues in oneself and one’s family. […]

Feed the lawyers

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 23, 2019

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

In a previous post, David and I discussed the challenges we have faced with some of our clients, who did not think we should provide food and beverages to the mock jurors and other research participants who work with us on a case. Sad, but true. Somewhat more surprisingly, we have had other clients who […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 23, 2019

I will never forget having to contend with the feed the lawyers issue, but as with the mock jurors, I remember at least 2 scenarios. One involved governmental entities which, as with the mock jurors, would not pay for meals, for anyone. This happened more than one time and, on one occasion, the creative client […]

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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