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.

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 […]

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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 […]

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Loud is good, except when I want quiet

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 […]

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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 […]

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

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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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Do what the man, or woman, client, says…

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 14, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

When one hires someone to do a job for them, the hiring person, i.e., the client, expects the other person/entity (henceforth, vendor) to perform the job in the manner, or to the satisfaction of, the client.  When the vendor fails to follow instructions or the directives of the client, there is a problem, for both […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 14, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

Sometimes, I am the client and other times, I am the vendor. (Although I am a consultant, with expertise in an area my clients lack, by virtue of the fact I am selling my services to someone, I am, technically speaking, a vendor.) When I am the client, I expect to be treated like a […]

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Sexism is alive but not well: Part 2

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 12, 2015

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

In a recent post, I wrote about my friends’ shock and dismay over my attendance at a rock concert with a male friend of mine, after which I spent the night in his home (located in the same town as the concert, and several hours from my home). In this post, I will describe the […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 12, 2015

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

I wasn’t there – that point is now well established! But, I can visualize the scene. And, I don’t know whether jealousy was a part of it, because Fifi has been on some dates with Freddie. But, my attendance at this concert had never been a part of the discussion so why was it assumed […]

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“Know” your clients

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 7, 2015

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

One interesting aspect of our trial consulting work is that we often work for people whom we do not meet in person until we all show up at a mock jury project or Melissa arrives at the courthouse.  We have considerable contact with clients via phone calls and email, but often, there is little face […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 7, 2015

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

As a social psychologist, I am what many people describe “a people person.” I like human beings, in general, and I enjoy getting to know people, including learning what makes them who they are. My job, as a litigation consultant, requires me to interact with a variety of attorneys, insurance adjusters, corporate executives, and other […]

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Sexism is alive, but not well: Part 1

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 5, 2015

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

Recently, I had the honor and privilege to be able to attend a rock concert (a 12 hour festival involving 15 bands!) with one of my best friends, a wonderful man I have known over 50 years, since we were in first grade together. The concert was held in my hometown, Fort Myers, requiring me […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 5, 2015

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

Sexism, like racism, takes many forms. This scenario is clearly sexist in that, if 2 men or 2 women attend an event together, no one gives it a 2nd thought, but if 2 people of opposite genders do, red flags go up for some people. But, why? In a business setting, co workers are often […]

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Self actualizers

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 28, 2015

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

Self actualization is the highest level of human existence. Self actualization is achieved by only the rarest among the rarest people. Few of us will ever meet someone who is truly self actualized, and fewer among us will achieve this lofty goal ourselves. Self actualized people are true to themselves; they are often altruistic, with […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 28, 2015

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

I had learned about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in my Psychology 101 class, but the concept is a bit abstract, until you meet someone at the top of the pyramid. And it took my spouse, a psychologist, to point out to me what should have been obvious in these 2 individuals. One of the most […]

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Know who you are hiring: Vendors

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 23, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Relationships, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

Operating a business presents ever evolving challenges. Recently we had a “new to us” experience when we uncovered something about a vendor/service provider that was disturbing and apparently, hidden to the degree possible. Without naming names, what happened is that we hired a company to provide us a specific service. The working relationship was never […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 23, 2015

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Relationships, Getting the Job Done, Small Business Success

In today’s business world, the client/vendor relationship is no longer as personal as it once was. Decades ago, it would have been unheard of to hire a vendor sight unseen, but in today’s climate of virtual employees, off shore service providers, and others whom a client has met only on line, the dangers involved in […]

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