Archive | Trial Consulting

Ring the Bell

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 26, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

I recently wrote about celebrating clients.  And, one of the ways we celebrate them at Magnus, or specifically, their bringing a new case to us, is to literally ring a bell when we get a new case.  We started this practice a few years ago when someone gave us a bell that is mounted outside […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 26, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

I am not a fan of disco music, but David’s topic reminds me of a disco song, circa 1979, called “Ring My Bell” and performed by Anita Ward. The catchy song repeatedly urges the listener to “ring my bell, ding-dong-ding, ring my bell, ring-a-ling-a-ling.” And ringing the bell is exactly, literally, what we do each […]

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Don’t hire me just to make you look good; it might not work out like you planned

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 17, 2015

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

Recently, a long time client accused me of being overly critical of his clients’ case. It seems that this client, a well respected attorney, and his law partner, another well respected attorney, were displeased that I did not perceive their case in the same positive light as they and their clients (attorneys for a huge […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 17, 2015

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

The scenario Melissa described is one in which the “truth hurt.” And, for whatever reason, our attorney clients had not been as honest and open with their clients as they probably should have been. In addition, the lack of preparation on the part of a very busy, well respected, trial attorney was shocking. Don’t misunderstand […]

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Ultimately – only 1 boss

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 27, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Trial Consulting

Previous blogs written by my spouse/business partner and me have addressed the issue of having two bosses who happen to be married to each other. It is challenging to have one boss, but having two bosses (who are usually going to side with each other in the event of a dispute with an employee) is […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 27, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Trial Consulting

Melissa is right. The buck does, and has to, stop somewhere. In any organization someone has the last word or is responsible for everything else. And, it is sometimes that concept, that the ultimate boss’ reputation is a key component of the business’ success. Even though we are a small practice and we have a […]

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When you get to work for a former employee, student, etc.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 15, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

It is impossible to know where the twists and turns in life will take us. I have always lived by that motto, as well as the motto to be as nice as possible to everyone because you just never know how a certain person will be involved in your life in future years. My spouse/business […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 15, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

In contrast to the line from the song Paperlate by Genesis “There’s no need to be nice on the way up, cos you’re not coming down” the truth is you never know where things can lead so you’d better be nice on the way up, down, or sideways when dealing with support staff, associates, students, […]

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Force Feeding Employees

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 18, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Litigation Tips, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Workplace Technology

Force feeding certainly has a negative connotation and perhaps isn’t the best connotation in a work environment.  But, sometimes you have to really push employees to do things and to do them in a way you, their boss, want them done.  In recent years, one of the things I have had to force has been […]

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The older I get, and the more experience I have as a social psychologist, the younger and more inexperienced my employees appear to me. Work tasks they are completing for the first time are often tasks I have been performing for decades. Things that are second nature to me are sometimes difficult for them. Because […]

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Be smart, but act clever

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On July 2, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

A long time ago, when I first began my career as a jury/trial consultant, my very tough minded boss told me something that has always resonated with me as I have pursued my long career. He said, “The clients know you/we are smart, after all, we all have Ph. D.s, but what you/we must always […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On July 2, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

Being clever as a trial consultant requires the ability to view the case issues from perspectives beyond those of the clients.  Time and time again clients tell us they had never thought of their cases in the ways we helped them see the case.  These clever insights come from being attuned to both the reactions […]

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Benchmarks for Lawyers, part 2

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 25, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

When writing part 1 of the post on benchmarks, it occurred to me that some people might ask if there are other benchmarks for service businesses/practices.  In fact, we have been asked many times over the past 20+ years about our “success rate.”  This is always a difficult question to answer because the answer, as […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 25, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

David mentioned the benchmark of client satisfaction as an indicator of our success on a particular case. As in any service based business, Magnus’ satisfied clients are the best source of revenue for our business.  The primary way we have always obtained new cases on which to consult is from past clients whom we helped […]

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Benchmarks for Lawyers, part 1

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 20, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

In the business world, the concept of benchmarks is well understood.  A benchmark is a way to measure productivity and performance.  A benchmark may take the form of a production or sales quota.  But, when dealing with performance in a service based practice – trial consulting or practicing as a lawyer – conceiving of benchmarks […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 20, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

Many attorneys have asked me to provide a list of cases on which I have worked that proved the case outcome was improved due to my and my company’s involvement.  As David points out, there is are no available means for me to provide this information because I do not know what would have happened […]

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Bargaining

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 20, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

As a social psychologist, I possess expertise in bargaining and negotiation that surpasses laypersons’ commonsense knowledge about these topics. (Bargaining and negotiation are often the subjects of an entire textbook in both undergraduate and graduate social psychology classes; I have taught both.) Knowledge of bargaining and negotiation is more important in everyday life than in […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 20, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

The key in any bargaining is determining what is really important, both overall, and to the other individual.  And, bargaining is a skill important to many aspects of life; few of us can just demand to get things our way and have it happen (unless maybe one is Donald Trump or perhaps a federal judge). […]

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Introverts

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 13, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting

My spouse/business partner and I are introverts. It may be a common assumption to assume most entrepreneurs are gregarious, outgoing, extroverts, however, the reality is entrepreneurs come in all sizes, shapes, and types, just like the general population. As introverts, it takes a long time for my partner and me to “warm up” to strangers, […]

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It is difficult for me to socialize on the “cocktail party” or even lunch/dinner circuit.  But, networking through these means has been important in the development of Magnus’ business.  The key for me is meeting one or more like minded person and using that person as a “wing person” through which to meet more and […]

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