2's Company - MagnusInsights.com

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.

Getting the Most from Research – Digging In

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 25, 2018

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

A recent Wall Street Journal article (August 11-12, 2018) entitled “To Get the Most Out of Polls, Delve Deeper” prompted this post. Though this post was about political polls and pollsters, there were several points relevant to the world of trial consulting. One quote caught my attention, “…, remember that neither a candidate’s polling percentage […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 25, 2018

I enjoy, immensely, working with attorneys on their cases. Most of the attorneys who retain Magnus are intelligent, sophisticated people who are hiring us because they know they are experts on the law, but they are not experts on human decision making. There is a small subset of our clients who do not seem to […]

When to break rules

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 23, 2018

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Tips, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Work-Life

I am not a “Goody Two Shoes” by any means, however, I usually play by the rules, regardless of the situation. I would never, ever, park in a disabled parking space unless I am transporting a disabled passenger, I do not try to outrun trains at a railroad crossing, and I clap my hands along […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 23, 2018

It is probably because of my schooling from 6th to 12th grades which, while not Catholic school, was very strict. Lots of rules, and at some point I started asking “why?”. I did not ask “why” to be obstinate. Rather, when things seemed arbitrary, it seemed like a fair question. Some things were clearly safety […]

Get it Right – The First Time & Every Time

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 18, 2018

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants

Not too long ago, I attended a lawyers’ luncheon at which the speaker was the president of the Florida Bar. He made a few comments about various challenges lawyers face with their clients, specifically, the expectation by the client that they essentially have all of the answers so that they get it right the first […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 18, 2018

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Trial Consultants

Attorneys do not usually have advanced degrees in psychology or social science. As such, many attorneys do not have a full understanding of the scientific method, scientific research techniques (including proper sampling of research participants), human decision making, group dynamics, etc. That is why, of course, attorneys routinely turn to Magnus (or one of its […]

Laugh at yourself

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 16, 2018

Category: Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

Some people take themselves too seriously. No one is infallible; everyone makes mistakes. Some mistakes are made by us, other mistakes are made by someone else, and many are more situationally than personally based. How each person chooses to respond to mistakes, negative situations, and life, in general, is an important part of his/her personality. […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 16, 2018

I see the humor – the absurdity – of showing up at the fancy hotel, feeling like I was Jed Clampett limping along in his jalopy. In my defense, my lack of humor in this situation was primarily fear that we would not safely make it to our destination. There was no way I could […]

Shaman Trial Consultant

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 11, 2018

Category: Business Frustrations, Getting the Job Done, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants

I’ve been on a bit of a “tear” lately about caveat emptor. Hiring a trial consultant requires due diligence because, unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to hold oneself out as a trial consultant. A lawyer, a physician, a plumber, an electrician or a hairstylist has to be tested and licensed. We don’t. While there has […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 11, 2018

Category: Business Frustrations, Getting the Job Done, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants

Just for the fun of it, I verified that a Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated Ph. D., is the highest academic degree awarded by any university. That’s right, dear reader, the highest degree. Whatever other degrees anyone may have, it is not possible to have a degree higher than a Ph. D. Please excuse me for […]

When a Client’s Focus is Cost, Beware

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 9, 2018

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success

Some people, including attorneys and insurance adjusters who are potential clients of Magnus, are more focused on obtaining the lowest price for whatever they are buying than the quality of what they are buying. Other people, in contrast, want the very best products or services money can buy. Most people, of course, fall somewhere between […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 9, 2018

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success

I don’t worry too much about whether we’re seen as a Mercedes, Cadillac or Buick. But I know we aren’t a Hyundai or, for heaven’s sake, a Yugo (for those who remember those eastern European beaters). What is most frustrating is when a prospective client seems to be shopping price, and price only. A problem […]

RESPECT, addenda

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 4, 2018

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Relationships, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Research, Litigation Tips, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

We recently posted about RESPECT and used a couple of examples of how we were shown disrespect by our clients – “dissed” may be the current term for this. A friend (thanks Al) pointed out that the post might backfire if potential clients of ours were to think we’d post something negative about working with […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 4, 2018

Many thanks to my dear friend, Al Weigand, for pointing out that there are sometimes multiple interpretations, including some that are unintended, of things we write. Al is a thoughtful, deliberative person who, upon reading the post about RESPECT, cautioned me that it could be interpreted by potential clients of Magnus as having the intent […]

Act like the cat

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 2, 2018

Category: Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants

As everyone who knows me will confirm, I love cats! I have spent a lot of time with a lot of cats, including my own cats, other people’s cats, and the cats who were available for adoption when I worked at the Humane Society in Miami during college. Cats, unlike humans, rarely appear to make […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 2, 2018

I kicked our cat the other night. It was an accident, really it was. One thing about many cats, ours included, is that they can be stealthy when they want to be – it’s all about survival. Rex sneaked up behind me when I was packing – an activity he has learned to dislike because […]

When losing is winning. Part 2.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 27, 2018

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Litigation Tips, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

Following on “When losing is winning. Part 1,” I’m writing now about another phenomenon that has been covered a bit in other posts. That is, defining winning. On the defense side of civil and criminal cases, some of them are, technically speaking, losers. That is, an outright defense verdict is unlikely no matter what – […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 27, 2018

Category: Getting the Job Done, Jury Behavior, Jury Consultants, Jury Deliberations, Litigation Tips, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

As David says, losing one’s lawsuit is relative. Sometimes, a loss is obvious, such as the time we worked for a client who lost a billion dollar case, had it overturned on appeal due to a legal technicality, then retained Magnus prior to the second trial. This client followed all of my recommendations (although, often, […]

Have favorite things

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 25, 2018

Category: Business personalities, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Partnerships, Travel, Work-Life

I try to approach life with a sense of curiosity and wonderment. I also like to have fun! My dad instilled a sense of curiosity, wonderment, and fun in me early in my life. During our family’s dinner time, Dad would ask Mom and me what we did that day, as well as what was […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 25, 2018

I’m not quite as big a favorite thing person as is Melissa; I sometimes have difficulty telling her my favorite song or similar detail from a concert. Even in RUSH shows where the songs, and visuals, compete with each other, it is difficult for me to pick a favorite. I have some favorites, like my […]

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About this blog

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

About Magnus