About this blog

After more than 25 years operating a trial consulting practice together as co-founding partners of Magnus Research Consultants, Inc. and Magnus Graphics, Inc., and more than 30 years of marriage, Dr. Melissa Pigott and David Fauss decided to share some of their thoughts, experiences, pet peeves, and perspectives on operating a small “mom & pop” business. The intended audience for their writings is other business owners, as well as employees of small businesses. Trial consulting is a professional service business, as was David’s photography business. There are many unique issues faced by professional service providers; Melissa and David share some of their insights on running a successful business.

Chopstick solutions

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 2, 2020

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

I recently had several opportunities to fix a few things around the house. Most recently, it was the flag on the mailbox. These things were small and required me to figure out how to fix them absent specific parts. As it happened, I had some chopsticks, which were part of a Chinese food delivery, available. […]

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David saves almost everything, “just in case” he might need it in the future.  I will give credit to David for his creative use of chopsticks, among other things he has used for non intended purposes.  I have little use for chopsticks.  I do not eat with them.  In fact, I have embarrassed David in […]

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In a flock of pigeons, be the flamingo

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 31, 2020

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Managing Employees

A few years ago, in some faraway location where the Magnus team was conducting mock jury research, I noticed a woman who was wearing a bright pink shirt that was festooned with sequins. I love glittery things and I walked closer so that I could see the details on her shirt. Her shirt had lovely […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 31, 2020

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Managing Employees

Flamingos have pizzazz.  They get attention just by standing around and foraging for crustaceans in a pond.  They stand out against the water, sky, or foliage.  Camouflage is not their strong suit.  There are times when keeping one’s head down, and trying to go unnoticed, makes sense. This is especially true if the bullets, real […]

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Check SPAM for Treasure

I was recently reminded that email systems are far from infallible. I was purging email in my spam folder when I found an email from a prospective client asking for a proposal for mock jury research. The email was sent via OUR OWN WEBSITE through the “contact us” form. But, despite being sent from my […]

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Until this experience, I have never liked Spam.  When David and I have visited Hawai’i, we noticed the popularity of the canned meat type of Spam, which is prevalent in many restaurants.  But, the kind of Spam to which David refers is the computer variety that most computer users despise for its pesky intrusiveness.  Since […]

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Judges are People: Some are nice and others, not so nice

Judges are people, just like the rest of us. There are many types of judges, young, old, women, men, smart, not so smart, nice, and not nice. In my years of working as a jury/trial consultant, I have encountered many judges. I have met judges during hundreds of jury selections; I have made presentations with […]

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I’m sure in most professions there are good and bad.  I can’t think of any profession without such outliers at the extremes.  I don’t get to observe many judges in action, I’ve met plenty, but seeing them in action is in Melissa’s bailiwick, not mine.  Most judges I know are courteous and professional, but I […]

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Trial Team Crew

Once again, I was reminded about the people who support the lead trial attorney. The lead attorney and 2nd chair attorneys get the attention, like the rock star. Like Ozzy, Mick, or Geddy, who are lead singers, the lead attorneys are in the spotlight (or hot seat). But, behind them, there is often a small […]

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I have had the pleasure of working with attorneys and their trial teams for several decades.  It never ceases to amaze me that almost all of Magnus’ clients have a small army of professionals working with them on behalf of our mutual clients.  When I am involved in selecting a jury for a client, I […]

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Introduce yourself to the property manager

Magnus Research Consultants has been headquartered in the same location since 1996. In the first few years in our office space, the owner of the building also had an office in the same building. He retired, then passed away, leaving his family in charge of his vast business holdings. When the building owner moved out, […]

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I wholeheartedly agree with Melissa.  Ray is an interesting guy and, as with many relationships, it is beneficial to spend time getting to know people who impact one’s life, whether on a regular or infrequent basis.  Running a business involves many moving parts, whether it is the property manager, the teller at the bank, the […]

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Can I have?

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 12, 2020

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees

I frequently “observe” language and how I, and others, communicate, wondering why there is often a tendency to be less direct, and perhaps more wordy, than necessary. I caught myself today when I started an email with “I am writing to tell you…”. I stopped myself, deleted those words and started over by eliminating that […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 12, 2020

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees

Added to David’s list of “Can…?” questions is my personal favorite, “Can you spell your last name?”.  When I call a client’s office, make an appointment with a medical provider, or deal with someone else who doesn’t know my name, I am often asked this, really stupid, question.  My answer to “Can you spell your […]

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Excuses versus Legitimate Reasons for Jury Duty Dismissal

This is the third, and final, post about my recent experience with jury duty in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. As readers of David’s and my blog know, I have spent much of my career as a jury/trial consultant assisting attorneys selecting hundreds of juries. In addition, I have conducted numerous scientific studies of jury […]

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Not only have Melissa and I heard the question, “How do I get off of jury duty?” too many times to count, but Melissa hears the excuses on a regular basis.  And, I’ve taken random calls, from strangers, asking how to “get off” jury duty on several occasions.  Melissa reports to me that some judges […]

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Morning Routine

Woke up, fell out of bed Dragged a comb across my head Found my way downstairs and drank a cup…and so it goes in the daily life of many people. (Hopefully, the readers of this blog know the source for these famous lyrics.) For Melissa and me, there is no downstairs and we don’t drink […]

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Even though I am certain everyone who reads David’s and my posts know the lyrics David quoted at the beginning of today’s post were written by Paul McCartney (and credited to John Lennon and Paul McCartney) on the song titled, “A Day in the Life,” I am compelled to give credit where credit is due.  […]

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Free Advice on Selecting a Jury

As a follow up to my previous post regarding my day of jury duty, this post will involve some free advice to attorneys. I rarely provide free advice, but my observations during my jury service warrant it. When the plaintiff’s attorney in the automobile accident case on which I was a prospective juror began to […]

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Because I don’t do in court jury selection consultation, my critique of the attorneys I’ve observed is more limited.  But, for the jury on which I was selected, I had a few observations.  The primary one was the fact that the attorneys for the prosecution and the defendant – a public defender, did a POOR […]

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