Archive | Business Relationships

Mutual Admiration Societies

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 9, 2022

Category: Business personalities, Business Relationships, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Partnerships, Small Business Success

There are relatively few people with whom I share a mutual admiration. Don’t get me wrong: I like a lot of people and there are some people who like me, but that is different than my definition of a mutual admiration society. The first person who comes to mind is the first person who used […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 9, 2022

Category: Business personalities, Business Relationships, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Partnerships, Small Business Success

One thing that comes to my mind about Mutual Admiration Societies is realizing that one is in one. What I mean is, we often get acquainted with people we admire, from afar or up close. The part that is different about mutual admiration societies is the “mutual” part. This may not be immediate. It may […]

Give Someone a Chance

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 2, 2022

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Giving Back, Magnus, Magnus Research, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success

John Lennon wrote a song called “Give Peace a Chance.” It is a great song and it has provided me with considerable inspiration over the years. This post is not about giving peace a chance, however. Instead, it is about giving someone a chance. Who is that someone? It could be someone who is young, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 2, 2022

In the early days of Magnus, we made lots of calls on people, never knowing where they would lead. The visit to Charlie Stiles was one of those and, given Melissa’s connection with him, he was very supportive. Despite the fact that, as Magnus has evolved, most of our work has been litigation related, in […]

Share The Positives

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On July 21, 2022

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

I observed Melissa do something today that is worth comment. She complimented our clients for the professional and supportive ways they have worked with us, and as a team, to prepare for a jury research project. The clients seemed taken aback to hear a compliment, and they were surprised their behavior was noteworthy. It is […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On July 21, 2022

I believe in giving credit where and when credit is due. When I notice something good, I usually say something about it. In fact, I try, diligently, to compliment people and situations more than I complain. I have found complaining rarely results in positive attitude or behavior change. (If you don’t believe me, ask yourself […]

Run of the House

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 30, 2022

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

I booked a hotel room recently and, while navigating the rates, I came across one that said “run of house.” I know this means “you get what we’ve got left.” It is doubtful that this would ever be an exciting upgrade, but maybe. In my experience, upgrades rarely happen even when I’m paying higher rates. […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 30, 2022

The expression, “run of the house” does not have a positive connotation for me. I prefer to know what I am getting and even more than that, I prefer to know I am getting the best I can possibly get. I dislike most surprises because many people are not as discerning as me, therefore, what […]

The Problem With This Case is the Client.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 26, 2022

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

An attorney client of ours recently told Melissa that his client is a problem. He said, “the problem with this case is my client.” He was pretty direct, but we’ve heard this, or some variation thereof, countless times. In this case, the client is wealthy (and accustomed to getting his way as a result). He’s […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 26, 2022

I often wonder if “problem clients” know their attorney considers them to be a problem. Or, are they demanding, arrogant, and self centered to the point they have no idea of the impact they have on other people? Many times, the end client (defined as one of the primary parties in the lawsuit, that is, […]

Magnus’ Women Power

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 24, 2022

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

In the almost 30 years that David and I have co-owned Magnus Research Consultants, we have employed many people of both sexes. We have had several long term employees, 2 of whom are men and 2 of whom are women. In addition, there have been 3 women who are former Magnus employees who have gone […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 24, 2022

On the day I started writing this post, Melissa was wearing a pink t-shirt that said “Pretty Good for a Girl.” I bought it for her at a Mindi Abair jazz concert. Mindi has a song by that title because it is a phrase she’s heard many times over her career. She decided to embrace […]

Technology and Workplace Violence

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 15, 2022

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Relationships, Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Mental Health, Psychology, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Workplace Technology

In this, final, post about workplace violence that was inspired by my recent mediator re-certification training, I will discuss another reality of life in the modern world, workplace violence involving employees who work remotely. Workplace violence is not limited to in person interactions; in fact, cyber violence is commonplace. The pandemic that began in early […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 15, 2022

It is somewhat overwhelming to consider the lengths to which “bad actors,” a/k/a criminals, in some situations, will go to in order to attempt to bully, harass, or perpetrate violence. We at Magnus, are somewhat sheltered in our work environment. But, to consider the ramifications of remote working, telecommuting, etc. and how that pandemic forced […]

Employers’ Duty of Care of Employees

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 8, 2022

The lecture I recently attended on workplace violence included information regarding employers’ duty of care of their employees, with the goal being to foster an environment of zero tolerance for violence. The first component of every employers’ duty in this regard is, of course, to have a written policy that prohibits all forms of on […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 8, 2022

Employers’ responses to harassment or violence send strong messages as to whether behaviors are tolerated. In the instance Melissa mentioned about being grabbed from behind, that was an act committed by the attorney/client when she worked in her first trial consulting job. Because he was a client, she didn’t respond with violence and hit him, […]

Workplace Violence

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 1, 2022

This is the first of a series of 3 posts concerning workplace violence. As part of my Continuing Mediator Education required to maintain my certification as a Civil Court Mediator in Florida, I attended a lecture on workplace violence that was taught by an employee of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Unfortunately, most of us […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 1, 2022

It is disturbing that workplace violence, in any form, is enough of a problem that it was included on the agenda for Melissa’s mediator continuing education. This fact is enough to give one pause, and it makes me think how different things are in the world at large than in our small business. I certainly […]

Pay to Play

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 20, 2022

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

I’m writing this post after having recently received a solicitation from an attorney group asking for speakers for a big annual event. The “invitation” included a price list of what they expected speakers to pay. Despite the fact the audience would be perfect for us, marketing wise, Melissa immediately rejected the idea as something prohibited […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 20, 2022

Psychologists are expressly prohibited from paying anyone to publish their research, lecture to any audience, or endorse their services. Although attorneys and other professionals have different codes of conduct than psychologists, as a psychologist who works with attorneys, I am bound only by my profession’s ethical code of conduct. It is abhorrent to me to […]

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Archive | Business Relationships

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

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

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A Point of View

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

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A Point of View

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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.

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.

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