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.

Learning to take it when you can take it

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 7, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

In a previous post I wrote about mixing business and pleasure. And, many times, there are ways to do this by just adding a few hours to a business trip, or spending a little personal money. One can plan ahead or sometimes, serendipitously find something of interest. But, you must be tuned into the idea […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 7, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

Although neither my spouse/business partner or I are spontaneous, carefree types, over the years we have had a lot of unexpected down time at work that has led us to re-prioritize our personal time. Most of the activities in which we engage during our personal times are planned well in advance; attending rock concerts, for […]

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Having time for fun

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On October 2, 2013

Category: Life Outside of Work

One of the most important parts of working with one’s spouse is taking time out for FUN. FUN is capitalized here to emphasize its critical role in the work/personal time balance. Real, honest to goodness FUN means doing something, with or without your spouse/business partner that provides an intensely enjoyable, unforgettable, experience. (It is important […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On October 2, 2013

Category: Life Outside of Work

It may seem strange to have to budget time for fun, but it is important. Whatever the fun is, it can clear the mind of distractions and help one regain focus on less fun things. And, fun as a reward for hard work is important too – there has to be a point of working […]

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The Pleasure of Mixing Business & Pleasure

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 30, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

Maybe it seems obvious, but one of the benefits of operating a small business is the ability to control one’s schedule, at least to the degree it isn’t controlled by a client’s schedule. It may also seem obvious, but with a bit of thought and planning, it is often possible to treat oneself to some […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 30, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

I have traveled far and wide in the decades I have worked as a trial consultant. I don’t enjoy traveling for work purposes, but traveling is what I do, often. I have to have some notion of “what’s in this for me?” because, as a road/air warrior, there would be little motivation to travel across […]

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Fine System

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 25, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

When one’s business partner is also one’s spouse, there is a natural tendency to have work discussions at home or on other personal time. It is often difficult to “be off the clock” when there are issues at work that demand the attention of the small business person at all hours of the day, on […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 25, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

Melissa has made out better than I have in collecting fines, even if I have been entrapped on an occasion or two. I mean, I can’t help it when someone calls me on my cell phone, right? When we first met I was a freelance photographer and on call for clients. She did not always […]

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Travel Patterns, Routines, & Variations

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 23, 2013

Category: Travel

The work we do as trial consultants involves traveling nationwide – wherever the cases may be. Traveling presents many challenges and is physically tiring. Developing some patterns to bring methods to the madness helps with these challenges. For example, we long ago established some routines or standard operating procedures (SOPs) when it comes to travel […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 23, 2013

Category: Travel

Speaking as the person for whom the travel arrangements are usually made, the essentials involved in doing things the same way, from trip to trip, airport to airport, rental car, to rental car, etc. is one less thing for the weary traveler to worry about. If I can arrive to an airport, tired (and probably […]

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Differing Expertise

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On September 18, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

My husband and I have been married for longer than we have worked together. Many of our family members, friends, and clients (many of whom have become our friends) have asked us, “how do you work together and stay married?’; “doesn’t working together and being married cause a lot of power struggles and other problems?”: […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On September 18, 2013

Category: Partnerships, Work-Life

What Melissa said does not mean it doesn’t work for life and work partners to have the same expertise.  Certainly we know attorneys (some of them our clients) who are married and of couples in other professions with the same training who work together just fine.  The point is, we have one less point of […]

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