Author Archive | Melissa Pigott

Cats, dogs, and other animals

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 24, 2015

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

I am an animal lover. I like all kinds of animals, particularly cats. I like dogs too, but I really like cats. I have always liked cats and I have almost always liked most cats more than most people. Believe me, if you were a social psychologist who has devoted an entire career to conducting […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 24, 2015

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

I passed the “Ziggy test” when I first met Melissa or else I would not be writing this. Her cat, Ziggy, had to approve of me – and apparently he did, even though he occasionally bit the hand that fed him – mine. But while I may not consider someone’s affinity for animals or pets, […]

The plane, etc., leaves on time

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 17, 2015

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

Believe it or not, most flights leave on time. Most trains leave on time too and so do buses, ships, and other modes of transportation that follow a schedule. What this means for business, and other, travelers, is that anyone who wants to be on board should arrive either early or on time or be […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 17, 2015

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

Another adage, “be there or be square.” And, Melissa would never want to be square! As simple as the be on time or get left behind message is, this is another detail on which we have had to train, remind or even cajole employees to remember. Perhaps some of the “on time” issues have been […]

I’m your boss, not your pal

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 10, 2015

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

In a small office environment, the lines demarcating supervisor and subordinate are often blurred. This is particularly true in small offices, such as mine, with a casual dress code on all days when we are not among clients. Even though I am decades older than my employees, now that I have been a business owner […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 10, 2015

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

Perhaps another of our top 5 surprises is how often, in a general sense, we have been told what I would consider otherwise to be “private” details of employee’s lives. And, I am not sure whether this is because we are small business in which everyone knows each other well, or because there appears to […]

Smoking Marijuana at lunch – that’s not on work time…

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 3, 2015

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

As we mentioned in a previous blog, my spouse/business partner and I have established formal, written policies and procedures regarding all aspects of our employees’ conduct. Among these policies and procedures is a policy stating we are a drug and alcohol free workplace. We had to modify this policy many years ago because one of […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 3, 2015

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

Some of our experiences as employers have really surprised us. This one was in the top 5. And, the person’s actions were dumb and dumber with the initial issue and the later call for a job reference. It was dumbfounding to me for sure! But, each experience is a learning experience and things like this […]

Use it up, wear it out, make it do

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 25, 2015

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

My late mother was a teenager during the Great Depression in the 1920s. She was the first person I knew who recycled things, all sorts of things, from last year’s calendar to last week’s orange juice container, and who rarely threw anything away until it could not be used for anything, ever again. Mom’s motto […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 25, 2015

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

I heard Melissa’s Mother say “use it up, wear it out, and make it do” more than a few times. And, while my upbringing was different than hers in some ways, I somehow also have always found ways to re-use or re-purpose lots of things. I keep a selection of boxes in all shapes and […]

Don’t hire me just to make you look good; it might not work out like you planned

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 17, 2015

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

Recently, a long time client accused me of being overly critical of his clients’ case. It seems that this client, a well respected attorney, and his law partner, another well respected attorney, were displeased that I did not perceive their case in the same positive light as they and their clients (attorneys for a huge […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 17, 2015

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

The scenario Melissa described is one in which the “truth hurt.” And, for whatever reason, our attorney clients had not been as honest and open with their clients as they probably should have been. In addition, the lack of preparation on the part of a very busy, well respected, trial attorney was shocking. Don’t misunderstand […]

Learn to make chit chat

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 10, 2015

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

Because my job requires frequent travel with clients and employees, there are many times when discussions turn to events unrelated to the work we are performing. In addition, when I am a guest speaker at attorneys’ or insurance companies’ seminars, there are often social events included in the meeting that are part of doing business. […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 10, 2015

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

I share with Melissa the introversion trait which makes chit chat difficult to initiate. And, some situations are more difficult than others, but yet, it is so much a part of business and life, that it is important to understand this fact. In understanding it, one must learn what is or is not acceptable conversation […]

Be informed of world events

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 3, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees

My company has traditionally employed young adults who are working in their first or second professional job following their college graduation. Many of these young employees are “book smart,” however, they often appear to be shallow, even unintelligent, because they have not mastered the art of conversation. One of the best, and non threatening, ways […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 3, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees

Melissa and I stay informed by reading newspapers (2 to 3, or more, different ones daily) as well as news magazines (Time) and other periodicals of specific interest (photo magazines for me, Rolling Stone for her). In fact, for both of us, keeping up with the news has always been a part of our lives […]

Ultimately – only 1 boss

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 27, 2015

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

Previous blogs written by my spouse/business partner and me have addressed the issue of having two bosses who happen to be married to each other. It is challenging to have one boss, but having two bosses (who are usually going to side with each other in the event of a dispute with an employee) is […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 27, 2015

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

Melissa is right. The buck does, and has to, stop somewhere. In any organization someone has the last word or is responsible for everything else. And, it is sometimes that concept, that the ultimate boss’ reputation is a key component of the business’ success. Even though we are a small practice and we have a […]

Have Plants in the Office

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 20, 2015

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

I love plants of all types, including plants commonly referred to as house plants. I spent one summer working in a wholesale nursery in The Redlands, south of Miami, where I learned a lot about taking care of plants. I have plants in my company’s office and I am the primary caretaker of the plants. […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 20, 2015

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

New employees have to meet the plants quickly. And, even I have had to come to understand Melissa’s love of them. She remembers when she got them, where she got them and how, in some cases, she had to nurture them to health. But I do appreciate the benefits they provide in ambiance and, though […]

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Author Archive | Melissa Pigott

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

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

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

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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