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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.

Shop price – Employees probably won’t

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 25, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Travel, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Travel

Having run my own photography business, mostly by myself, I co-founded Magnus with one of my roles being managing the business and staff on administrative tasks. This includes shopping to buy everything from computers, video cameras, to pens and paper. We ran Magnus without employees for a couple of years and I knew the price […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 25, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Travel, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Travel

It is a fact of owning a small business that some employees “get it” and some do not.  When it comes to buying things, I always remind Magnus’ employees to look around at everything in the office.  Everything, that is 100% of what they see, was bought by David and me.  There is nothing, absolutely […]

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My dad, my hero

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 24, 2015

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

I am a fortunate person who had the benefit of having a wonderful father who was in my life until I was 14. Although I have spent a lot of time wondering why I was unfortunate to have lost my dad unexpectedly when both he and I were too young for his untimely passing, I […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 24, 2015

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

I never had the pleasure of meeting Park Pigott, Sr., but I’ve heard so many stories, from a variety of sources, so I have come to understand his status as personal hero for Melissa, and her family, and a local hero in Ft. Myers.  I mean, there is a baseball stadium named for him, so […]

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Think before you speak.

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 19, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

Think before you speak. This is an old adage that resonates loudly when managing employees. Two examples of the failure of employees have haunted us for years. The first was with our first employee. She was caught off guard when an attorney/client asked her, after discussing Melissa’s academic background with Melissa, “What’s your background?” Mindlessly, […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 19, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Common Courtesy, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

I suppose there is a time in many girls’ and women’s lives when they dream of becoming a princess.  Unfortunately, however, few people ever realize their princess dream, such that, at some point, they are living in a fantasy world if they persist in their search for Prince Charming.  (As an aside, I have met […]

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Have a hero

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 17, 2015

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

A hero is usually defined as a person who has performed an act of bravery or is greatly admired for his/her achievements. People vary in whether or not they have one or more heroes. I have several heroes, all of whom serve an important function in my life. Some of them are people actually known […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 17, 2015

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

Readers of our blog probably know the scheme.  Each post was envisioned by whomever is identified as the first author, meaning, for this one, Melissa.  She picked the topic and wrote her content leaving it for me to write a commentary. And, this is one, “Have a hero” that I’ve found difficult to write because […]

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Apologize, take ownership, fix it – say I’m sorry

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 12, 2015

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

Mistakes happen. In our trial consulting work, some of the tasks employees must undertake are technical and sometimes difficult. Some tasks are more routine, but nonetheless, due to inexperience, careless work efforts, or for reasons beyond anyone’s control, mistakes happen. That is a given. But, how employees react when informed about the problem varies tremendously. […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 12, 2015

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

When did apologies cease to exist?  And, by “apology,” I don’t mean saying “Sorry” instead of “Excuse me” when bumping into someone in the grocery store.  When referring to apologies, I mean owning up to one’s mistake, taking positive steps to ensure it is corrected, and being proactive in ensuring the mistake will never happen […]

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Be inspired

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 10, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

Some people rarely get inspired. These people are difficult to impress, they often go through life with a “so what?” attitude, and they are not going to be people with whom I am comfortable. I receive inspiration from many things. I thrive on diversity, in people, experiences, and places, and I am constantly amazed by […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 10, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

The world around us, both natural and human made, is an inspiring place. And there are different parts of that world which touch most of us. For me, I find inspiring subjects most often through a lens (usually a Canon). Photography has helped me focus (pun intended) on the beauty of nature. And, I’ve focused […]

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Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 5, 2015

Category: Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

The person about whom this blog is written has been an important part of my life since I started college at Jacksonville University in 1979. Her name is Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne. As a clueless college freshman, registering for classes, I first met her when she was working the registration lines which were hung up […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 5, 2015

Category: Careers, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

Some time ago, I wrote a post about two people I have met whom I believe to be self actualized.  One of these people is Dr. Fran Kinne.  At the time of this writing, although women have come a long way in terms of gender equality, it is still a “man’s world.”  This recognition makes […]

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Life goes on within you and without you

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On November 3, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

One of my favorite songs of all time is a song by George Harrison called, “Within You Without You.” For those who are not huge fans of The Beatles, this song is on side 2 of the groundbreaking album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” which was released on June 1, 1967. Although this song, […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On November 3, 2015

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Life Outside of Work, Work-Life

My take on this topic is similar to Melissa’s, in trying to keep a focus on where we fit as individuals in the world. We have certainly observed some clients, and occasionally employees, whose sense of self importance did not appear to match their other characteristics, including their contributions to the world. That is, they […]

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“I cry when something bad happens.” Really?

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 29, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees

We have long asked prospective employees what they do when they encounter a work crisis, when something goes drastically wrong, and when the pressure is on them to fix it. Some candidates report that they have never faced a crisis; these candidates are mostly those who are interviewing for their first job. Most of us […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 29, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Managing Employees

As regular readers of David’s and my posts certainly know, David’s favorite band is RUSH. There is an album, released by RUSH in 1984, entitled “Grace Under Pressure.” This expression, having grace under pressure, is something that is required of everyone who works for Magnus. Inevitably, during a mock trial or other research day, something […]

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Get over it

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 27, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work

As with many things in my life, this post contains a musical reference, the title of a song by The Eagles. “Get Over It” says a lot of things to a lot of people, but to me, getting over it, whatever it may be, is an important part of moving through life in a forward […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 27, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work

It is not always easy for me to just “get over it.” Things that I’ve worked to “get” have not always worked out regardless of effort expended and it can be devastating for things to work out differently than I would have liked. But, the beat goes on, and we have to move on. Sometimes […]

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