Archive | Magnus Insights

Trial team members, not vendors or facilitators

I’m writing this on a Monday, so I’m going to vent a little. This is a topic I’ve had on my list to write about for quite some time; I just never got to it, in part, because I don’t like to venture into areas of self importance. But, here I go. As trial consultants, […]

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Please note: I am not writing my part of David’s post on a Monday; furthermore, I think David’s topic is appropriate regardless of the day of the week!  This being said, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with being a vendor.  In fact, some of my favorite things are sold by vendors: hot dogs being […]

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Ralph and Dorothy

David and I met Ralph and Dorothy Kaufman in 1992, when we moved into our home in Lighthouse Point. For many years, they lived across the street from us during the winter months. They had a lovely waterfront home, which they had owned since the 1970s, where they came to take a break from their […]

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I think one aspect of writing these blog posts has been to take time to consider how many people we’ve randomly met, somewhere or another, throughout life.  Some of these connections have created unique, life long bonds though they may have started in very simple ways.  When we bought the house back in 1992, much […]

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Go ahead: It’s okay to call me “Doctor”

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 24, 2021

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Common Courtesy, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Psychology, Trial Consultants

The last time someone correctly referred to me as “Ms.” was before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 9, 1984. That was a long time ago, however, many people, including family members and friends (all of whom should know better) are reluctant to address mail or otherwise refer to me as “Dr.” Although I earned a […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 24, 2021

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Common Courtesy, Jury Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Psychology, Trial Consultants

This post reminds me of a memory from my teen years, when talking with a friend about the father of another friend who was a professor at a college in Jacksonville.  He was a sociologist, and my friend said she asked him, do I call you “Mr. Key or Dr. Key?” He answered, “well, I […]

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CYA, Part 2

A recent experience prompts this post. I got a call from an out of state prospective client about a case in “our backyard” of south Florida. Turns out, they were surprised by the judge in the case who told them to get ready, fast, for trial. It caught them off guard a bit, and they […]

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As David and I have mentioned many times in past posts, there are numerous reasons why Magnus is retained for mock jury research, focus groups, attitude surveys, witness preparation, and jury selection.  Some times, attorneys are motivated to hire Magnus because they want to improve their odds of winning their case.  A long time client […]

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Audley

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 17, 2021

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

I have a friend named Audley Bain. Audley and I have known each other since 1992, when we were introduced by the late Ralph Kaufman. Ralph and his wife, Dorothy, lived across the street from David and me during the winter months (they were “snow birds” from New York) when we lived in Lighthouse Point. […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 17, 2021

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

Audley was at the house today.  And, not a moment too soon, as it had been too long since he was there.  In a Florida summer, the frequent rains wreak havoc with his plans to get to each of his customers’ yards on a timely basis.  And, with those rains, the grass (and weeds) grow […]

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Pride v. Humility

Certain words or phrases catch my attention depending on their usage. I’m thinking today about how often one hears “I’m humbled to win this award…” It could be an athlete, musician, actor, or anyone whose work is recognized. What strikes me is what I perceive as a false sense of humility. Winning recognition should make […]

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When I think of the word, “proud,” I smile and think of Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, known professionally as the character she played onstage, Minnie Pearl.  Minnie Pearl usually opened her stage appearances with a signature phrase: “How-dee! I’m so proud to be here!”.  Never did I hear her say, “Hello!  I’m so humbled to […]

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Why do I wear a KC shirt?

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 […]

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I will say that it took me a while to comprehend Melissa’s love of the Royals, including certain of their players.  I was able to attend a few games with her while they were in Ft. Myers at “her dad’s” stadium.  It was fun, but the depth of the connection was something that took a […]

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All the World’s a Stage

All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players… (William Shakespeare, As You Like It). All the world’s indeed a stage and we are merely playersPerformers and portrayers, Each another’s audience outside the gilded cage (Neil Peart, RUSH, Limelight). I know the origin of this thought was the Bard, but it […]

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David ended his part of this post by saying, “Let the show begin,” which reminds me of a song written by Rolf Kempf, sung by Judy Collins, then popularized in 1973 by one of my all time favorite bands, Alice Cooper.  The song is “Hello Hooray” and it begins with the lyrics “Hello.  Hooray.  Let […]

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DHTs

I’m not sure when David invented DHTs, but I think it was during the time we lived part time in my hometown, Fort Myers, to help care for my mother during the final years of her life. For David and me, who own and operate a small business that requires frequent travel, commuting to and […]

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There is an extra tension in a marriage when one also works with one’s spouse as we have for 30+ years.  It is a 24/7/365 lifestyle unless one of us is traveling for business, and that is often a together activity for us.  Inevitably, there will be tensions and stresses that become personal even if […]

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Now I get it…

I’ve noticed a phenomenon when working with clients who have never utilized a trial consultant. The only thing I can think of as a way to describe this is “Now I get it…” Attorneys/clients do not always hire us because they want to. There are times they are “encouraged to,” told to, or forced to […]

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Some people find it difficult to understand things unless they have directly experienced them.  One might say these people lack imagination or perhaps, foresight, however, when it comes to understanding the services provided by trial consultants, it is often hard for the average attorney to comprehend how we do what we do.  Some of Magnus’ […]

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