Archive | Workplace Technology

The more the merrier

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 30, 2016

Category: Business Frustrations, Getting the Job Done, Trial Consulting, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

I have recently been working with a client to explain some concepts that are part of our work. These concepts are some of the fundamentals of social science research, concepts which are so well understood by those educated in this area that they are second nature. This particular concept is easily explained by the adage, […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 30, 2016

Category: Business Frustrations, Getting the Job Done, Trial Consulting, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

One of the most challenging, not to mention frustrating, aspects of my career has been explaining scientific research methods, statistical principles, and other complex aspects of the work I perform to people who lack the education, knowledge, and experience to understand what I am talking about. There is only so much “dumbing down” that is […]

I’ve Been Everywhere

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 16, 2016

Category: Business Travel, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Travel, Trial Consulting, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

Driving on I-95 from Jacksonville to south Florida for the second time in about 10 days, I happened to hear Johnny Cash’s version of the song, “I’ve Been Everywhere” (released in 1996) and did the song ever ring true! In our trial consulting work, we go where the clients and cases are. This has taken […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 16, 2016

Category: Business Travel, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Travel, Trial Consulting, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

Although I haven’t been everywhere, I’ve been almost everywhere, at least in the U.S.A. My traveling days began in childhood, when my parents and I took long road trips every summer for our vacation. All of my teachers knew about my dad’s penchant for traveling, thus, when school began each fall, I was asked to […]

Ziggy Stardust A Cat’s Tale

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 29, 2016

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

I recently published a nonfiction book entitled, “Ziggy Stardust A Cat’s Tale.” The book immortalizes the nine lives of my amazing cat, named Ziggy Stardust. Ziggy Stardust lived his 9 lives for 19 years, during which he accompanied me to college, then to graduate school, then to life in several big cities. By the time […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 29, 2016

Category: Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

When I met Melissa she introduced me to her “old” cat, Ziggy. I think he was 9 at the time and I thought, wow, that’s an old cat. (I didn’t realize that meeting him was an audition – that if I had not passed, Melissa would have picked him over me, but I digress.) […]

Dun & Bradstreet: Part 2

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 18, 2016

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

As I have come up with topics for this blog I have found that often a brief title triggers multiple thoughts. Dun & Bradstreet was the subject of a prior blog which related my distaste for fear based marketing. But, it is because Dun & Bradstreet has a well known name that it can engage […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 18, 2016

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

Sometimes, despite our best efforts in preventing disasters, disaster strikes, usually, without warning. The Dun & Bradstreet / Dun and brad street debacle was, at the time it was perpetuated on Magnus, well known within the computer industry, to the point that Magnus’ long time computer consultant held a special meeting with David, me, and […]

Loud is good, except when I want quiet

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 26, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

Loud, for me, is good. I have a shirt that says so! I am not afraid of loud music and other happy loud sounds, including cars, boats, and motorcycles. However, when I am working, particularly on something that requires concentration, I must work in absolute silence. I do not allow anyone who works for me […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 26, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

Thankfully, Melissa’s and my offices are situated such that we have the ability to close the door to reduce distractions. But, noisy distractions can transcend doors, windows and walls. Leaf blowers and weed eaters are big offenders. Maintaining focus on technical, detailed work requires concentration beyond what school requires and as such, we have had […]

Ziplocks

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 2, 2015

Category: Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Travel, Workplace Technology

I don’t know how we survived without ziplock bags (generically speaking, though I know it is a brand name, but Ziplocs or Glad, or whatever). It seems strange writing about them in this blog, but my partner’s and my goal was to write about things related to our small business(es). And, ziplocks have been a […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 2, 2015

Category: Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Travel, Workplace Technology

As odd as it may seem to be writing in praise of lowly plastic zippered bags, this handy invention has been a tremendous help to me, in many ways. I use plastic zippered bags to contain all of my toiletries inside my suitcase. I double bag the toiletries to prevent the inevitable leaks from permeating […]

Back it up!

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 5, 2015

Category: Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

This post is an extension of the post about hurricanes and other disasters in that it discusses what should be a basic business practice in a world where computers dominate our business lives. BACK THEM UP! And back them up in more than 1 way if possible. And, make sure the back ups are not […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 5, 2015

Category: Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

Proactivity is the key in preventing many computer nightmares. Recently, due to an unforeseen, extremely negative event concerning Magnus’ long time computer technician, we were compelled to hire a new computer tech. The new computer tech explained his philosophy to my partner and me during our first meeting: constant monitoring of our system, to prevent […]

Dealing with Hurricanes: Disaster Planning

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 26, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

Floridians, at least we natives, know that hurricanes are a fact of life (some newcomers have to experience one to understand such storms). And while we are all sometimes a bit complacent about hurricanes or the other disasters that befall others who live in other locations (as I write this, Boston is suffering record snow […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 26, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

Several years before David and I owned our business, Magnus, I worked at a large litigation consulting firm that had offices in every major city in the U.S.A. One of the offices was located in Philadelphia, in a large downtown building that burned to the ground one night. Unfortunately for my employer, no one had […]

Technical support temperament

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On December 4, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

It is important to know one’s strengths and weaknesses and, in a partnership, to divide tasks in a way that recognizes them. Strengths and weaknesses take many forms, but one of the potential areas to consider in a partnership is whose temperament is better suited to dealing with “technical support” or “customer service.” In our […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On December 4, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life, Workplace Technology

David is right. I do not “suffer fools gladly,” and therefore, I cannot tolerate speaking with technical support people, who, in my opinion, often lack both technical expertise and support skills. Sadly, although David’s time is just as valuable as mine, my refusal to be placed on hold for what seems like hours, only to […]

Technology transitions can be painful

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 9, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

As we have developed our blogs and topics, we’ve found often one thing leads to another. My recent post on scanning the horizon for changes led me to this post. When we started our trial consulting business, Magnus Research Consultants, in 1993 we had to provide clients with VHS videotapes of the proceedings. I researched […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 9, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success, Workplace Technology

I enjoy change, but sometimes change comes at a high price. In the example David mentioned regarding our company’s change in video equipment, the costs were enormous, in terms of both financial expenditures and personnel. In fact, we lost a long time employee, largely due to mistakes he made during our transitional period between analog […]

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Archive | Workplace Technology

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

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A Point of View

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David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

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David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

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