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Business Travel – 2's Company – MagnusInsights.com https://magnusinsights.com Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:36:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://magnusinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-2sCompanyLogov23-32x32.jpg Business Travel – 2's Company – MagnusInsights.com https://magnusinsights.com 32 32 Vacations https://magnusinsights.com/vacations/ Thu, 11 Aug 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=3214 At the time of this post, I am likely on vacation. After missing the opportunity to take a vacation for a couple of years, Melissa and I have been looking forward to it. The visit to this destination, Alaska, was delayed from our original plan and thus, we’ve been working on and revising the plans for months. It is difficult, as small business owners, to get away, really away, and be detached from work for any extended period of time. I’m not sure we ever can. I’ve “worked” from vacations in Hawai’i, Greece, Australia, and more, if only to reply to some emails from clients or staff. The purpose of a vacation is, to me, like rebooting a computer. Our brains need rebooting; they need to be cleared. It is a pressure release, and frees up brain cells from the stresses of daily life which recharges my brain for when I get back to work after the vacation. Permanent vacations have appeal, but I haven’t won the lottery yet. Vacations are a reward for hard work and they are good for mental health as well. Over the years, I’ve noticed some people almost apologize for vacations; I’ve felt that, at some level, when I realize how our schedule impacts our ability to work for clients at certain times. But, a vacation should not be a sign of weakness; rather, it is a sign that one is doing something healthy and productive. Bon voyage!

]]> Live Your Life Like Someone Left the Gate Open https://magnusinsights.com/live-your-life-like-someone-left-the-gate-open/ Tue, 26 Jul 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=3202 I don’t remember where I saw this quote for the first time, but I instantly liked it: “Live your life like someone left the gate open.” I guess there are multiple interpretations of this sentence, however, my view of it is that, as David’s late mother used to say, we should try to “have fun” in everything we do. If we are doing a simple chore, we can try to make it more bearable by viewing it as something in which other people would do anything to be able to participate. For example, think about the bright side of the activity instead of focusing on the negatives. David and I were waiting for a simple hot dog lunch to be brought to an outdoor picnic table that is located on a busy, dusty street in Fort Lauderdale when he asked me if I was having fun. I said, “Not right now, but I will be as soon as my hot dog arrives.” Sure enough, as soon as my tasty hot dog was placed on the table, I acted as if someone left the gate open, with my hot dog ready to be devoured before someone remembered to close and lock the gate. It’s all a matter of perspective. I have had several friends and family members who relied on wheelchairs when they went places. Instead of bemoaning the fact that I had to lift the heavy (for me) wheelchair in and out of my car, then push my family member or friend anyplace we wanted to go, I always decided to act like someone left the gate open, by laughingly telling other people to move out of our way because “we’re coming through” or even more fun, making a beeping noise like the noise of the courtesy carts that transport disabled people in the Atlanta airport. (Yes, these tactics not only clear traffic, they often make other people laugh too!) The point of this post is to have as much fun as possible, even when going about routine business or in situations many people would find tiresome. I’m always searching for the next open gate!

]]> Zenobia https://magnusinsights.com/zenobia/ Tue, 21 Jun 2022 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=3161 Recently, a long time friend of my family’s, Woody Hanson, posted an old photo on a social media site that brought back fond memories. The photo was of Zenobia King Hill, the owner of a modeling school in my hometown of Fort Myers, Florida. Zenobia was from Alabama; she attended the famous John Robert Powers modeling school in New York City; and later moved to Fort Myers with her husband, who was a photographer for the local newspaper. At the time I met her, Zenobia was in her 60s and just as lovely and vibrant as she was in her younger days. Like many girls “back in the day,” I met Zenobia when my mother forced, prodded, and cajoled me into attending her modeling classes. (Some people call this “charm school,” but whatever it is called, I was a most unwilling attendee!) Mom evidently decided, along with the mother of one of my cousins, that I needed to learn some skills that would help me succeed in life. Zenobia figured out that I was not attending her modeling classes voluntarily and she cleverly chose to ignore my sullen attitude, instead, she took it into stride. Luckily for me, I grew quite fond of Zenobia and, over the course of the modeling classes, I became an eager student. Modeling classes were not limited to learning how to participate in fashion shows, although that was certainly a large part of what was taught. The classes were also not limited to instruction on “table manners,” although that was part of the curriculum. Instead, these classes were more about how to conduct oneself in any situation in which one might find oneself. Thanks to Zenobia, I know many things, including: (1) how to walk with grace and poise, instead of loping along like a cowboy everywhere I go; (2) how to walk up and down a flight of stairs without bobbing my head, thereby avoiding the appearance of a bouncing beach ball; (3) how to sit properly (I admit this skill is not always practiced by me!); (4) how to get into and out of a car without flashing anyone or hitting my head; (5) how to, properly, button and unbutton a blouse or coat (there is, indeed, only one proper way to do this); (6) how to manage a large quantity of plates, glasses, and flatware at a formal dinner; and much more. In the end, I actually enjoyed participating in fashion shows, many of which were part of fund raising for charities. Thanks to Zenobia, I am as comfortable in the boardroom of any Fortune 100 company filled with high level executives as I am in my own home. And, of course, thanks to Mom for ensuring I received the proper education that has allowed me to become who I am today.

]]> 10 Things I Love About My Job https://magnusinsights.com/10-things-i-love-about-my-job/ Tue, 22 Feb 2022 18:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=3072 I love my job! I truly do! My dear friend, Bob, has called me a workaholic since we met in 1980. I am a person who really likes to work! Being bored is not for me. I decided to think about the top 10 things I like about my job as a jury/trial consultant, which I have been performing since 1989. Here they are, in no particular order:

1.  I like to help people.  When Magnus’ clients contact us, they always have a problem they cannot solve without our help.  It is rewarding to me to be trusted to help our clients on their important cases by providing them with my unique insights into human behavior and decision making.
2.  I like intellectual challenges.  The more complicated the case, the better!  I have worked on cases worth billions of dollars, involving concepts such as patents, securities, aviation (I had to learn how to fly a jumbo jet to consult on one case!), complex medical issues, construction, and more.  I have learned many amazing things and I am always ready to learn more.
3.  I like working with people who have a different perspective than I have.  I have spent my entire career with clients and other people who are not my social psychology colleagues.  I enjoy being able to provide a different view about the world than attorneys.  (I do not enjoy arguing with them, however, preferring instead to rely on my expertise to prove my points.)   
4.  I like meeting and interacting with all kinds of people. In my line of work, I interact with everyone from hotel employees, to research participants, to high powered attorneys.  For the most part, I have had positive experiences with people I encounter in the course of performing my job.  I have met some super cool people and I am always excited about the possibility of meeting someone who will, one day, be my friend.
5.  I enjoy learning new things.  As a result of my job, I know a little about a lot of things.  For example, I know more about traffic laws and other Florida statutes than most people!  I have learned how skyscrapers are built, how chemical compounds become brand name medications, and in general, a lot about life.  I am looking forward to continuing the learning process with every cases on which I consult.
 6.  I like designing surveys, collecting and analyzing data, and writing reports that summarize research findings.  I know this sounds nerdy, but I am truly a science nerd.  I was the person in the psychology department where I taught for several years who always wanted to teach research methods.  Science, and its application to the legal system, is fun!
7.  I like traveling.  Although it is not always possible for me to sightsee when I travel for my job, the experience of working in, for example, Manhattan, is an incredible one to me.  I have traveled far and wide, from Alaska to the Virgin Islands, to work as a trial consultant and I have immensely enjoyed seeing new places and returning to old favorites.
8.  I enjoy working as part of a team.  Since the beginning of my career as a jury consultant, I have worked with people who form a cohesive team.  I have made life long friendships with some of my colleagues, as well as some of Magnus’ employees (both current and former).  The team approach of many aspects of my job has been rewarding to me in ways I never imagined when I worked in more traditional workplaces.
9.  I enjoy working in a fast paced environment with things that are in constant change.  I never know exactly where I am going to be from one week to the next.  I am packed and ready to go, including ready to change plans on short notice.  I cannot imagine working in the same location, during the same hours of the day, for an entire career.  (Corporate environments are no place for people like me!)
10.  I like making a difference in the world.  Although I am not at liberty to discuss most of the cases on which I have consulted in the past 30 + years, I have been involved in ground breaking litigation that has resulted in large scale societal change.  It’s pretty cool to have played a small role in promoting positive changes in the world!

In summary, there are lots of benefits in my job that are not actual job duties. These aspects of my job have provided me with enrichment well beyond what I derive from earning a living.

]]> Things Back to Normal! Water Fountains, Crowded Elevators, Smiling Faces https://magnusinsights.com/things-back-to-normal-water-fountains-crowded-elevators-smiling-faces/ Tue, 12 Oct 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=2939 Hooray! Hooray! I had the privilege of selecting 2 juries, for 2 different clients, in 2 different courthouses, recently. Usually, this would be nothing to write about, however, these jury selections were noteworthy due to the fact that they were the first, and second, jury selections for me since the world shut down in March of 2020 because of the pandemic. I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled, to be back in a courthouse, wearing a dark suit and high heels, carrying a briefcase, and providing help to my clients as they faced challenging lawsuits. Things almost seemed like they were back to normal. The water fountains in 1 courthouse were still turned off, but in the other one, they were working! I love water fountains! Sadly, the elevators were limited to 2 people in the first courthouse and 4 in the second, such that I did not have the experience of being stuffed inside a crowded elevator next to a sheriff’s deputy wearing a big gun on her belt. I look forward to the return of crowded elevators and the demise of social distancing. I don’t want to be socially distant; I enjoy being with people! Although both of the courthouses where I worked required face masks to be worn at all times, it was still great to see people’s smiling faces. I think the judges, attorneys, court personnel, and jurors were just as happy as I was to go someplace, to have important work to do, and to spend time with other human beings. Neither judge allowed the attorneys to approach the bench and 1 of the judges wore heavy rubber gloves while inside the courtroom, but overall, it was a welcome return to business for all of us. Keeping a trial consultant out of the courthouse is awful, particularly in my case as a person who truly loves spending time in courthouses (my dad’s office was located inside a courthouse and it always brings back fond memories when I am in a courthouse). I eagerly await the day when the elevators are crowded, all of the water fountains are dispensing cool water, and people’s smiles can be displayed again. But for now, it’s good to be back in a courthouse, any courthouse!

]]> Was it Worth it? https://magnusinsights.com/was-it-worth-it/ Tue, 05 Oct 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=2916 In October of 2005, David and I were fortunate to attend a concert by the renowned group, Cream. As many people know, Cream were considered the world’s first supergroup because their 3 members, Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker, had been members of other successful groups prior to forming Cream. Although Cream were active from only 1966 to 1968, their popularity has never waned. David and I were thrilled to find out they had reunited for a few performances and we bought tickets to their show at Madison Square Garden as soon as they went on sale. The show was scheduled on October 25, 2005. As fate would have it, the Cream concert occurred the day after Hurricane Wilma devastated South Florida. David and I were absolutely thrilled to see Cream perform (it had been 37 years since they last performed together) and we were already in New York City by the time the hurricane became of concern to our area. As expected, the concert was fantastic! And, as of this writing, it is the only concert I have ever attended in Madison Square Garden. Not only was the show perfect, in every way, but the “Garden” was also amazing! It’s the only concert venue where I have been served strawberries in my champagne! At my seat! Our return trip was delayed by several days, and when we finally got home after a series of delays and mishaps, we found a tree partially blocking our street, lots of spoiled food in the refrigerator and freezer, and a flood inside our house caused by a roof collapse. We were without electricity for quite some time and the repairs to our house took 18 months to complete (all the while, much of our furniture was covered by plastic tarps to protect it when it rained). Was it worth it to see Cream at Madison Square Garden, given what happened while we were gone? Would I do it again if I knew how things would turn out? Yes and yes! I have absolutely no regrets. I got to see Cream in Madison Square Garden! I am grinning a huge grin as I type this!

]]> Why do I wear a KC shirt? https://magnusinsights.com/why-do-i-wear-a-kc-shirt/ Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=2869 I have several Kansas City Royals t-shirts and baseball hats. Given that I am not a sports fan, this may come as a surprise to those who don’t know me well. Why would I, a person from Fort Myers, Florida, like a baseball team from Missouri? The answer is quite simple. From its inaugural season as a baseball team in 1969 until 1987, the Royals held their spring training in Fort Myers. My dad, the late Park T. Pigott, Sr., was the Lee County Parks and Recreation Director and, along with other civic minded people in Fort Myers, was influential in convincing the Royals to come to Fort Myers. During the years when the Royals were in town in the spring months, they were “our” team. I was fortunate to attend almost every home game from 1969 until 1976, after which I moved away from my hometown. (As an aside, the guidance counselor at my high school called my mother to ask why I was absent from school on many afternoons in the spring time. My mom explained that I was missing my classes because I was attending the Royals games, with her explicit permission to do so!) From 1977 until their final year in Fort Myers, I attended at least one spring training game at the stadium which, by then, was named Park T. Pigott Memorial Stadium in recognition of everything my dad had done for baseball in Lee County. When the Royals play baseball, I always want them to win. When they won the World Series in 1985 and 2015, I celebrated. And, I proudly wear my Royals shirts and hats whenever I want to be particularly happy in my fond memories of my dad and his love of baseball. If you see me wearing my Royals attire, you will know it is one of the many ways I pay tribute to a great baseball team and a great person, baseball player, and dad. Go Royals!

]]> Work Life Balance https://magnusinsights.com/work-life-balance/ Thu, 08 Jul 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=2836 The term “Work Life Balance” seems to have existed for a long time. In writing this post, I did a bit of quick research and found the concept was not well defined until the last 20 years. Researchers have identified 3 key balance components: time, involvement and satisfaction. When work or life (family) demands are out of balance in one of these components, stress results. In my thinking about these posts, one of the areas Melissa and I have focused on all these years is balancing work and life – in a life that has both partners working in the same business. Though Melissa and I have different roles, we have worked together for 30 years. We have written about many aspects of our balance over the years, including the fine system and role separation. I think, though, about the random demands of operating a business or responding to clients. We are often not in control of our time and scheduling. If a client wants to talk at a specific time, we try to accommodate, even if that means re-arranging other items, business or personal, to do so. It has meant talking to a client from the road, even in the days where that might mean using a pay phone. It means answering the phone during lunch or dinner sometimes. It means dining with clients (in some great restaurants) instead of visiting friends. It has meant giving up seats at concerts or other events because work comes first. Being in it together has made it easier for each of us to understand. Way back when I was working as a photographer, it was harder for Melissa to accept that my work often meant attending other people’s parties and events, on what would be a “normal person’s” off work time. But, for me, the main way to balance, work/life/satisfaction is to not fight it. Recognize the demands, accept that they are a part of “what we got ourselves into” and make the best of it. It means we can “play hooky” one afternoon, run personal errands during “office hours” and (mostly) not feel guilty. I say mostly because, it sometimes feels like I should be at my desk “dialing for dollars” from 9 to 5. But, the reality is owning a business is not a 9 to 5 job and it is important to take care of yourself along the way.

]]> The Middle of Everywhere https://magnusinsights.com/the-middle-of-everywhere/ Tue, 15 Jun 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=2818 David and I recently visited Solomon’s Castle, a quirky structure built entirely of junk. It is located near, but not in, Ona, Florida, which is near Wauchula, which is near Bradenton, which is near Tampa. (I placed as many points of reference as necessary to orient those who are unfamiliar with small towns in Southwest Florida.) Solomon’s Castle was built by an artist named Howard Solomon. It is located in a rural area that, upon many people’s arrival, can be referred to as “the middle of nowhere.” Mr. Solomon evidently disagreed with this perspective, instead referring to the location of his castle, which was his home in addition to being an art piece, as located in “the middle of everywhere.” I paused upon learning about this description, pondering on its meaning. How many times have I, in my exasperation over driving to an out of the way destination, described it as located in the “middle of nowhere”? Or, as my mom used to say, “in the plumb and nearly,” as in “plumb out of town and nearly in the country”? Maybe these faraway places, often requiring excellent navigation skills in addition to relying on a GPS, are actually located in “the middle of everywhere.” It’s all a matter of perspective and orientation. Someone else’s “middle of nowhere” could be my, or the late Howard Solomon’s, “middle of everywhere.” These places could also be, to their owner, the “center of the universe.” The next time I travel to a faraway, rural destination, I will think twice before referring to it as “the middle of nowhere.” Instead, I will look around and be glad I drove to an interesting location off the beaten path.

]]> Wardrobe Malfunction https://magnusinsights.com/wardrobe-malfunction/ Thu, 03 Jun 2021 17:00:00 +0000 https://magnus.lisawhitsell.com/?p=2805 The most famous wardrobe malfunction was in 2004 at the Super Bowl halftime show and involved Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. While it later became apparent that this was a planned incident, not a malfunction, it sure got the world’s attention. But, that is not what this post is about; it is about more mundane malfunctions. For me, it was the time I jumped into my car after a photography job and my pants split open. Fortunately, I didn’t have another assignment right away so I went home and changed. But, that incident permanently altered my life routines. After that happened, I always kept a change of clothes in my car when I was working as a photographer. Though my life today is vastly different, with frequent travel, I do think of what happens if a wardrobe malfunction occurs. For me, that means packing spare stuff and not traveling as light as I would like to be able to do. Recently, one of our team members experienced a sort of malfunction with the loss of his suit pants; they apparently fell of the hanger unnoticed. He managed the day by wearing the blue jeans he had worn traveling to the project. That’s not the dress code for the day, but it worked under the circumstance. Over the past 30+ years, stuff like this has happened a few times. One split pants incident resulted in an emergency repair with a stapler. Another, with a early morning trip to Walmart. The show must go on and the question is, how do you prepare for the unexpected? Don’t let that unexpected event destroy your game (work) focus! Be prepared or find a solution.

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