Archive | Trial Consulting

Just in Time Jury Consulting

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 22, 2023

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

A series of recent experiences pertaining to a case on which we were ramping up made me consider the timeline of jury consulting. In the world of business, and especially manufacturing, there is a concept of just in time production. With just in time production, the raw materials for a “thing” arrive at the production […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 22, 2023

As far as I am concerned, one of the best changes that we have seen over the 30 years of owning and operating Magnus is the way in which we get paid. In the past, Magnus was paid by check, which was either mailed through the postal service or sent via overnight delivery. Much to […]

The Balancing Act Continues

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 11, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

As I was standing in line this morning, a Friday morning, at Walmart (don’t judge me), I thought about how odd it was to be shopping on “work time.” And, further, I thought about the list of categories we have on this blog, one of which is “WorkLife.” We previously wrote about work life balance […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 11, 2023

As I mentioned in one of David’s and my recent posts, we recently had lunch with 2 of my childhood friends, a married couple, who are retired. Their enthusiastic advocation of retirement included the statement, “Melissa, when you retire, you can do whatever you want”! I replied, “That’s not a motivation for me. I already […]

The Ability to Understand Others’ Perspectives

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 2, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

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 […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 2, 2023

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 […]

When Not to Wear Shorts

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 25, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

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. […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 25, 2023

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 […]

Constant Reinvention

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 6, 2023

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

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 […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 6, 2023

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 […]

A Matter of Perspective

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 30, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

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 […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 30, 2023

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 […]

10 Years After, Part 2

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 23, 2023

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

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 […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 23, 2023

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 […]

Top Reasons to Do Litigation Research

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 16, 2023

Category: Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

It seems that “top 5 or top 10″ lists are popular in many areas. They are often entertaining; the show “Family Feud” is built on them. Late night talk shows thrive on them, going back at least to Johnny Carson. Thus, I thought I’d list a few of the top reasons for conducting mock jury, […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 16, 2023

The top 5 reasons David mentioned about conducting mock jury or focus group research are on point. I have no additional reasons to add, therefore, I will make a general comment. In the 30 years David and I have owned Magnus, including the almost 10 years we have been writing our twice weekly blog, we […]

Live a Little – Hawai’ian style

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 14, 2023

Category: Business personalities, Business Travel, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Marketing your Business, Mental Health, Psychology, RoadWarrior, Small Business Success, Travel, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

David and I have visited Hawai’i several times. It is one of our favorite places and somewhere I would enjoy making my home. I learned a lot on our trips to Hawai’i, including that the rainbows for which it is famous are possible only because, you guessed it, it rains a lot, daily it seems. […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 14, 2023

Living a little is a concept some people don’t appreciate until it is too late. The ability to live a little is probably one of the primary reasons Melissa and I enjoy owning our own company. We frequently build a little “living” into our “working.” Very often, this involves exploring a venue where we are […]

Billing Expectations

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 23, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Relationships, Common Courtesy, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

As a follow up to my post on professionalism based on my recent experience of being a lawyer’s client, I want to discuss billing expectations. As I told my family’s lawyer during an extremely unpleasant phone call, what he did to us was like taking one’s car to the repair shop, getting an estimate, then […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 23, 2023

Almost everyone wants to know the price of something before they purchase it. This is true regardless if someone is buying a hot dog, a car, or paying for legal services. Things can look fine, but if they are too expensive, in consideration for what they offer, there will be a disconnect between the product/service […]

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Archive | Trial Consulting

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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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