Archive | Business Frustrations

Categories of Missed Opportunity

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 27, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Relationships, Business Travel, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business, Psychology, Small Business Success, Travel, Trial Consultants

Some people have experienced significant loss, hardship, and a decline in physical and mental health during their lives. (I often think about Nelson Mandela’s 27 years of imprisonment as an example of this type of personal suffering.) Other people have had some serious setbacks, such as a bankruptcy, death of a parent, or a chronic […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 27, 2023

Melissa wrote her part of this post some time ago, during the 2020 pandemic, and I’m playing catch up. In a way, it is interesting to see how things have worked out over time, due to changes triggered by a pandemic. Many things have changed permanently. Work place changes are a big and obvious change. […]

Just in Time Jury Consulting

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 22, 2023

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

A series of recent experiences pertaining to a case on which we were ramping up made me consider the timeline of jury consulting. In the world of business, and especially manufacturing, there is a concept of just in time production. With just in time production, the raw materials for a “thing” arrive at the production […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 22, 2023

As far as I am concerned, one of the best changes that we have seen over the 30 years of owning and operating Magnus is the way in which we get paid. In the past, Magnus was paid by check, which was either mailed through the postal service or sent via overnight delivery. Much to […]

When Asking for a Favor, Make it Easy for Me to Help

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 20, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Relationships, Common Courtesy, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Work-Life

As long time readers of David’s and my blog know, I am almost constantly barraged with people’s requests for me to help them. This is, as I tell many people, the story of my life. I help people who need my help, both in my professional life as well as in my personal life. I […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 20, 2023

I don’t recall the specific incident that prompted this post. In fact, this type of situation seems so common that it is difficult to pinpoint it at all. It is not rare, it is, unfortunately, common. It is not that we’re picking on our clients, all of whom happen to be lawyers; no, we’re not […]

Team Players and Other People

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 13, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Small Business Success

The concept of team work receives considerable attention in many types of situations, from the workplace, to education, to sports. At Magnus, David and I wholeheartedly endorse team work among our employees and including ourselves. Although, in sports terms, I am the “team captain” at Magnus, I cannot perform my job absent help from other […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 13, 2023

Work teams take many forms. In our world, I’ve long thought that our work most closely resembles a relay race team in the sports world. With what we do, we have a baton starting at the intake of each new case. That baton moves back and forth among team members throughout the duration of our […]

Paid Versus Free Opinions

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 6, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants

To follow up on my previous post about people asking for my opinions, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon. Although it is far from universal, I have observed that people, such as friends and family, who ask for my opinion with no intention of paying me for my time or expertise, often devalue or discount […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 6, 2023

Melissa is in the position of giving, or rather, selling, advice on a daily basis. In a way, that is the business we are in. Of course, much of Melissa’s advice builds not only on her education, training, knowledge and experiences, but on data collected and analyzed for our client’s cases. Clients pay “good money” […]

Do You Want My Opinion or My Tacit Agreement?

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 30, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consultants

Many people ask me for my opinions. My opinions are solicited by family, friends, and clients, and sometimes, even by strangers. I would go as far as saying I am a professional giver of opinions, in that my clients retain me primarily for my expert opinions and advice about their high stakes lawsuits. Sometimes, however, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 30, 2023

This topic is obviously very real and concerning to Melissa. The nature of the two relationships with which Melissa was dealing in this situation made it even more difficult. Fortunately, I do not think I have faced such a conflicting situation. I may be guilty of offering unsolicited advice or suggestions, and sometimes, a best […]

12 Digits

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 18, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Deliberations, Jury Research, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Workplace Technology

Many of the posts we write are inspired by recent events, though our list has many titles we created as far back as 10 years ago at the inception of the Magnus Insights, 2’s Company blog. I’ll admit that there are many DF titles I haven’t written yet. I’m writing today, while smiling a bit, […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 18, 2023

David is right. We have a long list of topics to write about, including some that have been on our list for many years. But lately, it seems that David writes about new things that inspire him instead of writing about something that inspired him years ago. This being said, I never imagine we would […]

Don’t Make the Boss’ Job More Difficult

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 16, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants

In the 50 years since I started my first job, I have been an employee for 20 years and an employer for 30 years. In my roles as employee, then employer, I have often marveled at some people’s absence of awareness of a fundamental workplace principle: Don’t make the boss’ job more difficult. There are […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 16, 2023

I knew Rosemary, Melissa’s assistant at the hospital where they worked. Rosemary was the epitome of professionalism and did her job in an excellent fashion which is why it was not long that she went from working for Melissa to working for Melissa’s boss. In the 30+ years of Magnus we have, fortunately, had team […]

The Balancing Act Continues

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 11, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

As I was standing in line this morning, a Friday morning, at Walmart (don’t judge me), I thought about how odd it was to be shopping on “work time.” And, further, I thought about the list of categories we have on this blog, one of which is “WorkLife.” We previously wrote about work life balance […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 11, 2023

As I mentioned in one of David’s and my recent posts, we recently had lunch with 2 of my childhood friends, a married couple, who are retired. Their enthusiastic advocation of retirement included the statement, “Melissa, when you retire, you can do whatever you want”! I replied, “That’s not a motivation for me. I already […]

If in Doubt, Ask.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 4, 2023

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

It is okay to ask questions in life, in work. In the work environment, as an owner, manager, supervisor, or whatever I may be, whatever hat I may be wearing, I want to hear questions. I dislike it when an employee does not ask a question, for whatever reason, then does something wrong, or does […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 4, 2023

Here’s a question for David: Why was your part of this post so short? But, to get to the point, I agree with David about asking questions, up to a point. We recently terminated an employee who spent more time asking us stupid questions than using her brain. This employee seemed, to me, to ask […]

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Archive | Business Frustrations

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

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

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

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

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