Archive | Business Frustrations

Working Remote – Transparency

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 28, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Workplace Technology

In this time of forced social distancing, with many people working remotely from home or on quarantine, I have been using some of my time to make calls or otherwise contact clients about outstanding proposals, etc. I always have a stack of people to call upon, so I’ve been reaching out. The results of these […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 28, 2020

One of my favorite “gate keeper” responses, when I ask to speak with one of Magnus’ clients (including returning his/her call) is “Please hold. Let me see if he wants to take your call.” Wow! Talk about a put down! That kind of response makes me wish I never called. Far better to say “Please […]

My Suits Have Nowhere to Go

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 5, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus

Like many people who work in professional settings, since I earned my Ph.D., I have always worked in environments that require me to wear a business suit. “Business suit” was defined by my employers as a dressy blouse, topped with tailored skirt and matching jacket. I was also required to wear “leg covering,” meaning sheer […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 5, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Magnus

I never thought I/we would be longing for wearing a suit, or for me, a tie. I have not worn a suit in the last 2 months – a time period longer than any in the last 30 years! My suits are literally collecting dust. And, the ties, well I don’t think I will forget […]

COVID-19 was Only One of Many Distractions

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 28, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

How I wish for a workplace free of distractions! On March 12, 2020, when the U.S.A. was still a relatively “normal” place, Magnus conducted a relatively large series of mock trials for a client. Conducting mock jury research requires many days of report writing for me, which necessitates highly concentrated efforts and high level thought […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 28, 2020

It often amazes me how much work Melissa and I have to do that has nothing to do with being a trial consultant, things which are not productive, and don’t create any revenue. On this fateful Monday, I found myself seeking out the property manager to report the plumbing problem, then working with him to […]

We Can’t Make our Clients Do Anything

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 14, 2020

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

David and I recently attended a meeting with attorneys and their clients regarding a case for which they were considering retaining Magnus. The clients of the attorneys are a group of wealthy, sophisticated people who are accustomed to getting their way in all aspects of their lives. These individuals are from a variety of professional […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 14, 2020

Many years ago, after we had completed a mock jury project for a first time client and he had resolved the case, I made a follow up call to him to ask his impressions. He said everything was great, but he did have one complaint, he said, “You should have made me do this sooner.” […]

Judges are People: Some are nice and others, not so nice

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 24, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consulting

Judges are people, just like the rest of us. There are many types of judges, young, old, women, men, smart, not so smart, nice, and not nice. In my years of working as a jury/trial consultant, I have encountered many judges. I have met judges during hundreds of jury selections; I have made presentations with […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 24, 2020

I’m sure in most professions there are good and bad. I can’t think of any profession without such outliers at the extremes. I don’t get to observe many judges in action, I’ve met plenty, but seeing them in action is in Melissa’s bailiwick, not mine. Most judges I know are courteous and professional, but I […]

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 […]

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 […]

Whistleblowing isn’t easy

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 16, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Partnerships, Psychology, Trial Consulting

Much has been in the news lately about people blowing whistles on allegations of corruption and abuse. Without discussing these specific situations, I want to address the act of sounding an alarm, or blowing a whistle. I have written something on this previously, but it warrants revisiting. I will start by saying that, if you […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 16, 2020

To the uninitiated, whistle blower means the same thing as tattletale. In fact, dictionary definitions of both terms list them as synonyms, along with others, such as betrayer, informant, nark, rat fink, and snitch. In my view, there are different circumstances that lead to the characterization of people who “tell on” others. For example, in […]

No one hires me for a happy event

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 7, 2020

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

Just as none of Magnus’ clients retain us for easy cases, none of our clients retain us for anything remotely happy. In order for Magnus to become involved with an attorney and his/her client, something terrible has happened. We have worked on cases involving tragic deaths, including murder and multiple fatalities in accidents; horrific burns; […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 7, 2020

My mother once asked why I didn’t make a calendar of nice things instead of courthouses (which I did for 20 years). She said she thinks only bad things happen in courthouses. We then had a discussion about the good things that happen there such as weddings, and, most importantly, people seeking and getting justice. […]

If someone isn’t nice to me, they won’t see me again, ever.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On December 31, 2019

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

My time is valuable. It is valuable to me, if not to anyone else. (In that Magnus’ clients compensate my company, and thus, me, in relatively high amounts of money, I would argue that my time is perceived as valuable to someone other than me. But, I digress.) Because I value my time and my […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On December 31, 2019

Fortunately, as we wrote in the prior related post, our clients are usually nice, professional, even kind and friendly. We all know we’re working together for a common goal and egos usually stay in check. But, there are exceptions. I used the example of a particularly toxic client we once had who, with our help, […]

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Archive | Business Frustrations

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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