Author Archive | David Fauss

Benchmarks for Lawyers, part 2

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 25, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

When writing part 1 of the post on benchmarks, it occurred to me that some people might ask if there are other benchmarks for service businesses/practices.  In fact, we have been asked many times over the past 20+ years about our “success rate.”  This is always a difficult question to answer because the answer, as […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 25, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

David mentioned the benchmark of client satisfaction as an indicator of our success on a particular case. As in any service based business, Magnus’ satisfied clients are the best source of revenue for our business.  The primary way we have always obtained new cases on which to consult is from past clients whom we helped […]

Continue Reading

Benchmarks for Lawyers, part 1

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 20, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

In the business world, the concept of benchmarks is well understood.  A benchmark is a way to measure productivity and performance.  A benchmark may take the form of a production or sales quota.  But, when dealing with performance in a service based practice – trial consulting or practicing as a lawyer – conceiving of benchmarks […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 20, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

Many attorneys have asked me to provide a list of cases on which I have worked that proved the case outcome was improved due to my and my company’s involvement.  As David points out, there is are no available means for me to provide this information because I do not know what would have happened […]

Continue Reading

Resource People: Jon W. Peters

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 12, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

There are people in our lives who make a lasting impression or teach a lesson or just help us get through life. Jon W. Peters was one of these people in my life. Jon was a photographer. But, he was also a business person who figured out ways to do things efficiently and in ways […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 12, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

It is amazing to me that, after all these years, I still see a lot of Jon Peters in the way my spouse/business partner operates our business.  Although the businesses are vastly different, in that Jon’s was a photography business and ours is a trial consulting business, the manner in which David approaches our work […]

Continue Reading

You eat what you kill

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 4, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

This somewhat crude advice was given to us soon after we started Magnus.  It was probably sometime in 1994 and the advice giver was a consultant in another field.  And, we immediately knew his point; we only make money when we get hired on a case.  Entrepreneurs depend on each client and each sale.  It […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 4, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

I like this expression: “You eat what you kill.” It conveys to me that, if I don’t bring in the business, I won’t have any work to do.  As the person in my business who earns most of the revenue, I know that many other people and their families depend on me to do what […]

Continue Reading

Don’t pass the rest area

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 29, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

The simple and obvious message here is, when you gotta go, you gotta go.  Stop, take the opportunity, when you have it.  You never know about the traffic ahead or whether you will have a flat tire.  Don’t get yourself into an emergency situation.  The bigger message is there are lots of parallels to this […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 29, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

I plan ahead and I try to anticipate everything that could go wrong.  All of the work performed by my company and me has a deadline.  Some of the deadlines are imposed by the court system, others by our clients and their desire to quickly obtain our report from the research they hired us to […]

Continue Reading

Network for Business & Ideas

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 15, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Small Business Success

Networking.  It is one of the main tools in a marketing toolbox.  So, you find the events that potential clients attend, you put your name on the attendee list, and you go.  Then what?  If you are good at working a room, you introduce yourself to as many people as you can as you make […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 15, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Small Business Success

Between the two of us, my spouse/business partner is the networker.  I am just not good at networking and I guess I never will be.  On the rare occasions when I have to attend a networking event, I spend most of my time at the event hoping no one will talk to me.  I dislike […]

Continue Reading

Using “do not disturb”

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 8, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

No matter where one works, there is always “noise” of some sort that can interfere with certain tasks. Some tasks require absolute focus and attention, without interruptions. Realizing this, it is sometimes important to close the door, turn off the phone and put out the “do not disturb” sign. Even without a private office there […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 8, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

There is nothing I like more than LOUD music, except when I want it to be quiet. I often find the noise pollution in my daily life intolerable, to the point I cannot think. Our company’s headquarters are located on the ground floor, in a suburban area that contains other businesses, including retail establishments as […]

Continue Reading

Biting your tongue

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 30, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Work-Life

Learning to control oneself and not say the first thing that comes to mind is critical in operating a business, and in being an employee or employer.  Self control like this, in the form of “biting one’s tongue” is important.  This may have to do with interacting with clients or customers, but it may well […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 30, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Work-Life

As my mother always said, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything, at all.”  This dictum is actually tough to follow, but when clients are involved, it is often impossible.  All of my clients are attorneys who rarely see the world and the people in it in the same way I do, […]

Continue Reading

Give her some ideas, tactfully

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 23, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Partnerships, Work-Life

Working with one’s spouse requires some unique considerations.  Perhaps the thought contained in this post is true in other partnerships, but given that spouses work, and live, together, being extra sensitive to each other is critical.  What I am writing about here is when you have an idea or suggestion to give your spouse/partner about […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 23, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Partnerships, Work-Life

When one’s business partner is one’s spouse and thus, life partner, there are many overlaps in work and personal roles.  My spouse/partner has realized for decades that I am not the easiest person to live or work with; the level of tactfulness he has to employ when dealing with me is well beyond what most […]

Continue Reading

Positive Feedback

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 17, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

Though in some of our blogs we have pointed out the negative experiences we have had, the truth is that most employees are good people, most of their work is done in an acceptable fashion, and generally the employees who last for more than a few months have done their jobs well.  We recognize this […]

Continue Reading

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 17, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees

As a social psychologist, I am well aware of the strong impact of positive reinforcement (or feedback, in lay persons’ terms).  Positive reinforcement has been shown, through decades of research, to have more effects in promoting good behavior than punishment has in correcting bad behavior.  I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement.  I thank […]

Continue Reading

Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes