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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.

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 […]

When to use a disabled parking pass

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 16, 2016

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

Many people probably think they know everything about this topic, however, my experiences indicate there is more to using a disabled parking pass than the casual observer may believe. One of the main rules for using a disabled parking pass, of course, is that the user must actually, legitimately, and legally be disabled. (An upcoming […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 16, 2016

Category: Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

My quick take on the concept of “when to use a disabled parking pass” is use it when you need it! While there are some people who use them when they don’t need them – stay tuned for more on that in another blog – there are also those whose sense of independence is such […]

Being ethical can be expensive

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 11, 2016

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

I have always enjoyed the intellectual aspects of considering the ethical aspects of life and work. One of my favorite graduate school courses was business ethics and I had other classes on the subject in college, and decades ago, in a church youth group. The topics often were mind opening – considering what to do […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 11, 2016

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

People have often criticized me for being too goody, goody; too prim and proper; and for taking an unpopular stance by not going along with the crowd. Upon receiving this criticism, I usually remark that I am not working on a popularity contest; I am working to do the right thing. As an example, I […]

Help people

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 9, 2016

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Tips, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

I have received a lot of help from people over the years, mostly from my two “big” brothers. As the only daughter of my parents and one considerably younger than my two dear brothers, I have turned to each of them on countless occasions for all kinds of help, including financial, advice on how to […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 9, 2016

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Tips, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

I grew up with parents who were always willing to help others. They would quickly invite my friends to visit, or come to dinner, including a near ritual Sunday night pizza feast that usually included several friends. In an open and non judgmental way, they were always willing to include an array of friends. My […]

Either you are wrong or I am right. Part 2: Clients

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 4, 2016

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Litigation Tips, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

As I was writing the post, “Either you are wrong or I am right,” I thought that, like the album title from which it came, About Face (by David Gilmour) there are perhaps more than 1 way to contemplate this lyric. In the first post I wrote about the implications of behaving, in a personal […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 4, 2016

I admit to being frustrated by some clients’ insistence that they know everything there is to know, including in an area in which they have zero expertise. However, I am somewhat entertained by their willingness to set themselves up for failure, when something happens to disprove their incorrect assumptions, and I usually ask them to […]

Grab your consultant only when the lights are out

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 2, 2016

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Trial Consulting

Unfortunately, for many women in all sorts of occupations, sexual harassment is a prevalent part of the work environment. I, like many women in my age cohort, have been sexually harassed by a variety of men (and a few women) in various contexts: bosses, co-workers, professors (when I was a student), fellow students, my students […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 2, 2016

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Trial Consulting

Many jobs and job functions put opposite, or even same, gender co-workers in awkward settings. A dark observation room was certainly one of those for Melissa. And, because she is quick to defend herself, against this indefensible behavior, a worse problem was averted. The fact that she had a boss who backed her up was […]

Either you are wrong or I am right. Part 1: Business Partners

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 28, 2016

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Small Business Success, Work-Life

One of the songs from David Gilmour’s 1984 Album About Face was titled “You Know I’m Right.” I enjoyed the entire album by Pink Floyd’s vocalist and (extraordinary) guitarist, starting with the album title which seemed so clever in its dual meanings. But, the lyrics of this song were particularly compelling to think about how […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 28, 2016

I am not sure whether this statement, “Either you are wrong or I am right” was aimed at a particular person, nor do I know whether it was intended to be interpreted in a tongue in cheek manner. I am certain, however, that it made a lasting impression on David because he frequently quotes it […]

Client having an affair with key witness

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 26, 2016

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

Attorneys, particularly trial lawyers, are paid to talk. Most of my clients are excellent talkers/speakers. Psychologists, on the other hand, are paid to listen, to observe, and to notice things other people often do not notice. There are other differences between these two very different professions and the types of people who are drawn to […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 26, 2016

Category: Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Litigation Tips, Trial Consulting

I don’t think I have been present during any of the scenarios Melissa has recounted in this series of posts, but I have heard about them 2nd hand, from her, and in some instances, others on our team. But, it is not just that these observations were made, or experiences endured; it is amazing that […]

Is it worth getting up at 6 a.m. for that Chamber meeting?

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 21, 2016

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success

To quickly answer the question in my title, I don’t know. But, I am getting ahead of myself. When we started Magnus in 1993 it seemed like it might be worthwhile to network in certain ways. One of them was to join the Chamber of Commerce and go to the early morning breakfast meetings. It […]

Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 21, 2016

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success

A long time client of Magnus recently told David that David has the hardest job in our company, in that it involves performing many tasks people often consider undesirable. One of these tasks is attending networking functions, including those disguised as “social events” because adult beverages are served. Of all the networking events David has […]

Jumping up and down when TV breaks

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On January 19, 2016

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

Temper tantrums are never cute. They are not cute among children and they are certainly not cute among adults. (My husband’s relative had a temper tantrum in our home when he was way too old for such a violent outburst, resulting in my having to repair and re-paint the wall he repeatedly kicked, such that […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On January 19, 2016

Category: Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Trial Consulting, Work-Life

Our work in the trial consulting arena necessitates the use of technologies that are not perfect. And, we work in unfamiliar places, with rented equipment like televisions, all of which lead to problems with some regularity. This is one of those areas where, in our work, “ it happens.” But, we are almost always able, […]

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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