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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.

Starting out: Use your connections & contacts

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 18, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business, Trial Consulting

Sometimes, following the theme of my recent posts, using what you’ve got involves who you know. Again, it may seem unfair, but that is the way of the world. And, it is no secret that who you know is critical to success in getting a job, selling your services/products, and in many other ways. One […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 18, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business, Trial Consulting

When David and I started Magnus Research Consultants in 1993, we literally knocked on the doors of anyone and everyone who would meet with us. I am lucky to be from a small town, Fort Myers, Florida and my family has been there since the 1920s. In Fort Myers, my last name has always given […]

Eat defensively

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 16, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Travel, Trial Consulting

When I began my career as a litigation (jury) consultant many years ago, one of the first pieces of advice a more experienced colleague told me was “eat defensively,” meaning eat when there is food to be eaten because it may be the only opportunity that presents itself. When I am traveling far and wide […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 16, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Life Outside of Work, Travel, Trial Consulting

Today is one of those eating defensively days for me. I’m attending a conference, writing in the morning before the session which starts at 1:00 p.m. With a specific, 1:00 p.m., start time, clearly lunch has to be early and over with to get to the meeting. And, I am in a “strange” town. Not […]

What if you don’t have “it”?

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 11, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business

In writing the post on using what you’ve got, I left off with, what if you are unattractive (or some other special something) and don’t have that advantage? We’ve interviewed hundreds of job candidates in the past 20+ years, some of whom have not been attractive. Yet, we have hired some of them and not […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 11, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business

Because ratings of attractiveness are, for the most part, universally accepted within one’s culture, it follows that most people also recognize the traits of unattractiveness. In addition, social psychological research has revealed most people are adept at rating themselves on the attractiveness continuum, such that, if one has a mirror, his/her self perceptions are usually […]

When to keep quiet

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 9, 2015

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

As my late mother used to say, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone (or something), don’t say anything at all.” As a very opinionated person, I have often had difficulty following this motto; however, there are times when the reprehensible behavior, outlandish conduct, or unbelievably stupid comment of someone renders me with nothing […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 9, 2015

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

Building on what Melissa has written, I am thinking of the old adage, “better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt,” except in this analysis, it would “better to avoid a confrontation than to open your mouth and get into one!” It has been interesting to observe over […]

Use what you’ve got

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 4, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business

Okay, from the outset I will insert this disclaimer. This post could be a bit controversial or seen as sexist or perhaps otherwise “unfair” – but it isn’t, and should be read with an open mind. Now to get to the issue. We all need to use what we’ve got (or have been given in […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 4, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business

David’s topic is controversial, however, the relationship between physical attractiveness and attributions has been the subject of social psychological research for many decades. There are countless social psychological studies that reveal a positive correlation between ratings of physical attractiveness and perceived personality traits, summarized as “what is beautiful is good.” This research has also revealed […]

Everyone has a boss. Clients = Many Bosses

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On June 2, 2015

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

Almost everyone who works for a living has a boss. Although I am the boss at my workplace, I have many, many bosses, the attorneys, insurance adjusters, and corporate representatives who hire my company and me to help them with their challenging litigation. Often, I must adjust my plans and work schedule to suit one […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On June 2, 2015

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

“Be your own boss.” That’s the supposed appeal of owning a business. But, it is a very flawed observation about owning/operating a business. Whether the business is small or large, the customers, or clients in a service business, are the bosses. And in a service business, more than a product based business, the owner(s) must […]

Isn’t this stuff just common sense? Part 2 – Jury Consulting

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 28, 2015

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

Misinformation is a dangerous thing. I’m sure it happens in every field, but due to the fact that there are no set standards for qualifications of trial consultants, misinformation abounds. Trial consultant qualifications are a topic for another post, but in this post I want to relate some of the non common sense parts of […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 28, 2015

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

Knowing what one doesn’t know is, in my opinion, just as important as knowing anything else. For example, I have no hesitation in obtaining the professional opinion, as well as following the advice of my dentist, who spent many long years in dental school during the time I was studying for my Ph.D. in social […]

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 […]

Isn’t this stuff just common sense? Part 1 – Small Business

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 21, 2015

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

It occurs to me that some of the topics we are writing about may seem like common sense. But, I can assure you, as someone with an MBA and undergrad degrees in business (marketing and management) that running a small business is, first of all, not taught (or taught well) in school and second, until […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 21, 2015

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

Most people I know have never, ever owned and operated a business. Having worked for other people for 20 years prior to co-owning Magnus Research Consultants, I am well aware of the numerous and vast differences between working for someone else, collecting a paycheck regardless of the company’s (or government agency’s) financial performance, and working […]

Parties

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 19, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees

I love parties! I love to party! I love loud party music! I love party decorations! I love party food and drinks! I grew up in a family who celebrated every occasion, usually with a party or special dinner. We decorated the house with all kinds of fun things, often involving a theme, to mark […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 19, 2015

Category: Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Managing Employees

I’m there too – at the parties, I mean. I had a particularly fun loving grandmother that made any event more fun that normal – birthdays, Christmas, etc. And I have many fond memories of particular details from parties – like the time our gruff neighbor Ron showed up for a tea party wearing a […]

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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