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When your wife’s a diva…

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 7, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Getting the Job Done, Marketing your Business, Partnerships, Work-Life

Melissa and I laughed when we came up with this title/topic. It was inspired by something that is a reality in our business arrangement. She frequently lectures at meetings of lawyers, insurance adjusters, and other groups. Our “deal” is that she’ll write the speech and do the speaking, but I have to be the A/V […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 7, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Getting the Job Done, Marketing your Business, Partnerships, Work-Life

I will begin this post by saying I am a huge fan of Mr. John Osbourne, more commonly known as Ozzy Osbourne, the former (and surprisingly), current, lead singer for Black Sabbath. Therefore, when I liken myself to Ozzy, I am, in no way whatsoever, disparaging him; rather, I am merely comparing myself to someone […]

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Contingency planning

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 30, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

The demands of a small business are such that long term or contingency planning are uncommon when compared to big businesses.  However, it is critical for business owners to put some thought into contingency plans and to revise these plans periodically.  We can never be prepared for every contingency, but considering the many foreseeable issues […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 30, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

I am a planner, both a short range planner and a long range planner. I constantly think about the “what ifs?” in every situation. I spoke recently with someone who said she puts all unpleasant thoughts out of her mind. My response was “I have to think about the unpleasant things until I have resolved […]

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Pushing each other, nicely

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 11, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Work-Life

Working with a business partner to whom one is married does present some challenges over more traditional, business only, arrangements. In an employee/employer relationship, the norm is probably for the boss to say to an employee, “do this…” But, when the relationship is partner to partner, or if the employee wants to suggest something to […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 11, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Work-Life

As David mentions, the timing of a “gentle reminder” or suggestion is, for me, often more important than the actual content of the suggestion. My work requires me to concentrate and focus on complicated matters and the last thing I want is to be interrupted by anyone, including my well meaning spouse/business partner, with a […]

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Giving Psychology away

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 14, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

As a long time member of the American Psychological Association (APA), I have always tried to live by the APA’s motto: “Give psychology away.” This means that, on many occasions following a stressful day at the office, I spend countless hours on the phone, or otherwise engaged, on behalf of a family member or friend […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 14, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

I can verify that Melissa has taken her responsibilities as a psychologist very seriously and has given much of herself to others in this regard. She has given time as well as maybe part of her “soul” to people she knows well, and many she doesn’t know as well but who needed help. She has […]

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Celebrate (often)

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On August 6, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

As the Rare Earth song says, “I just want to celebrate another day of living.” Life presents many opportunities to celebrate and I believe it is important to participate in as many celebrations as possible. When someone leads as busy and fast paced life as my spouse/business partner and I do, it is important to […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On August 6, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

We have enjoyed many celebrations and I believe this practice has had many positive benefits for us personally and professionally. There are many challenges to running a small business, or a large one for that matter, and finding ways to reward ourselves, and sometimes our employees, with celebrations of various achievements is a good way […]

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Phone home ET

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On July 31, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Travel, Work-Life

Since 1989, I have traveled for business frequently. I am truly a road and sky warrior. For many of my travels, I am accompanied by employees, other consultants, and people who are not friends or family members. In the past few years, my spouse/business partner has traveled with me more than in the past (due […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On July 31, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Travel, Work-Life

As technology has evolved, the ability to keep in touch has never been easier.  With “smart” phones evolving from “bricks” there is hardly any excuse not to communicate.  Regardless of the technology, the important part is being in touch, especially with a spouse or family.  My spouse and I live and work together – thus, […]

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Hawaii

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 16, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Travel, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

From December, 2007 through January, 2008, my husband and I spent one glorious month in Hawai’i. We were able to celebrate two milestones, a wedding anniversary and a “big” birthday (mine) while we were there; these events were, of course, the reasons for this fantastic trip. Due to the fact that my husband and I […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 16, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Travel, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

Being able to do something like we did, spending a month in Hawai’i, is one of the major benefits of owning the company.  Though it is true in some countries that 4 week vacations are the norm, it is not so in the U.S.A.  Thus, being able to get away and absorb the culture is […]

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You eat what you kill

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 4, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

This somewhat crude advice was given to us soon after we started Magnus.  It was probably sometime in 1994 and the advice giver was a consultant in another field.  And, we immediately knew his point; we only make money when we get hired on a case.  Entrepreneurs depend on each client and each sale.  It […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 4, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

I like this expression: “You eat what you kill.” It conveys to me that, if I don’t bring in the business, I won’t have any work to do.  As the person in my business who earns most of the revenue, I know that many other people and their families depend on me to do what […]

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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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Biting your tongue

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 30, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Work-Life

Learning to control oneself and not say the first thing that comes to mind is critical in operating a business, and in being an employee or employer.  Self control like this, in the form of “biting one’s tongue” is important.  This may have to do with interacting with clients or customers, but it may well […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 30, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Partnerships, Work-Life

As my mother always said, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything, at all.”  This dictum is actually tough to follow, but when clients are involved, it is often impossible.  All of my clients are attorneys who rarely see the world and the people in it in the same way I do, […]

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