Archive | Business Frustrations

The Ability to Understand Others’ Perspectives

I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. This includes me. When conducting mock jury or other social psychological research, I almost always encourage the open expression of differing views by informing our research participants that “There are no wrong opinions or points of view.” I know some people who enjoy verbal sparring, however, I […]

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In our often politically polarized world, it appears difficult for some people to accept that other people have valid, opposing, opinions.  Our work involves watching “regular people” who are recruited to participate in our mock juries or focus groups express their opinions.  Clearly, some people are more adamant about their own opinions than others.  Some […]

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When Not to Wear Shorts

I live in Florida. I have lived in Florida almost all my life, with the exception of living out of state for a couple of years for employment reasons. I know it’s hot in my home state of Florida. I live here and if you’re hot when we are together, I am probably hot too. […]

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In my mind, there are many “costumes” which are appropriate in different situations.  As a photographer, I dressed to blend into the environment where I would be shooting.  If it was a business event, I would wear a shirt/tie or sometimes, a tuxedo, to seem to be a part of the event.  Casual events, like […]

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Pay Your Own Way Marketing

Marketing is a big topic. It covers many things including advertising, sales, strategy, research and more. It was one of my 3 undergraduate majors and though some things have changed, for example, the transition from traditional advertising to social media advertising, the basics have long been the same. Getting yourself or your company known for […]

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My first job upon completion of my Ph.D. was Director of Marketing Research at a large hospital in Jacksonville.  I don’t know what the marketing department’s budget was, but the amount of money it spent on marketing and public relations must have been in the multi millions.  I can’t begin to imagine what this hospital, […]

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Someone else will do it – but I’m the someone else

“I’ll get around to it.” “ I was going to do that.” “Oh, you beat me to it.” I hear these comments on a frequent basis. Most people move more slowly than me, including some who go through life at a snail’s pace. When I start cleaning up their mess, picking their trash off the […]

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It becomes a personal challenge of mine to stay ahead of Melissa, where I can.  And, there are many times when she wants something done that I’ve already accomplished.  Further, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cleaned up something that she never saw on the floor and our counters, at home or the […]

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Constant Reinvention

Much of what we do as trial consultants remains constant over time. Social science research is well established in terms of methodologies such that the changes are in the margins. Technological changes are not a major factor in our world, yet, we constantly look at processes and technologies to improve our work. Among those have […]

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David and I are rarely on the cutting edge when it comes to adopting new technology and new ways of doing things, however, we are usually light years ahead of most people we know.  Recently, we have had the pleasure of hosting 2 of my friends/colleagues in our home for an extended period.  Both of […]

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I Don’t Write Paychecks

David and I have owned and operated Magnus for 30 years. We have employed countless people, including many whose names have faded into obscurity. During all the years we have been in business, David and I have had different job duties. David’s job includes the administrative, finance, human resources, vendor relationship, and client liaison roles, […]

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Terminating employees is one of the least pleasant tasks I have.  Even when an employee has done something blatantly wrong and is deserving of immediate termination, knowing the ramifications for the employee it is difficult, to do so.  I hope most people who have the power of termination feel that way.  Yet, we’ve had some […]

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A Matter of Perspective

A recent discussion with a client about his client’s (an insurance adjuster) reluctance to engage us for mock jury research is stuck in my mind. The adjuster, whose multiple bosses overruled in authorizing the expenditure on the mock jury research, remained adamantly against it as he did not believe the defendant had an liability such […]

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I’m thrilled I don’t have to deal with reluctant, know it all, insurance adjusters too often.  I would find it tiresome.  In the recent case David mentioned, there were countless delays caused by the reluctant, know it all, adjuster that almost resulted in our not being able to help the end client, that is, the […]

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10 Years After, Part 2

Working as a trial consultant has many unique factors that keep our lives interesting, and sometimes, frustrating. One factor is the time between when we are called on a case and when we actually do our work, such as a mock trial, and when that case goes to trial. I sometimes have attorneys ask me […]

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David does an excellent job of following up with Magnus’ clients.  Some people would be offended by the “radio silence” that usually happens between when a client contacts us about a potential case and when he or she decides to retain us.  Not David.  David calls, then calls again and again, emails, then emails again […]

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Copyright

The photographer in me is compelling me to write about copyrights in this post. The © symbol is the most common way that photographers and artists, of all types, mark their work as copyrighted. There are other “approved” markings, including “Copr.” or the whole word “Copyright” along with the year of publication and name of […]

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It is amazing to me how many of David’s beautiful photos have been purloined, including by attorneys, judges, and the media.  Some people and organizations evidently believe they are entitled to take whatever they want, even if it doesn’t belong to them.  David is forceful about protecting his copyrights.  His photos are similar to any […]

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Better Not Look Down

I had the privilege of seeing the late, great, B. B. King perform in concert on many occasions. He was a source of inspiration to me for many reasons, including his commitment to keeping the blues alive. One of my favorite songs of his, written by Will Jennings and Joe Sample, is “Better Not Look […]

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As anyone who reads our posts knows, song lyrics are a part of our outlook on the world.  When I read Melissa’s post, and comments of those who live their lives in the past, I immediately thought of “Living in the Past” (Jethro Tull) and Bruce Springsteen’s anthem “Glory Days.”  But more so, I thought […]

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