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.

Social Outings with Staff

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 25, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees

As a small business owner, and a consultant who travels often to work for clients, my personal time is valuable. However, I also recognize that engaging in activities that foster employee morale is a required part of my job as the co-owner of the company. One of the ways my business partner and I have […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 25, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees

As Melissa says, these are social events, but with a work component.  Typically, attendance is required, or at least strongly encouraged.  In our environment that has never been a problem, but it can be in larger organizations especially if spouses or other family are invited.  The issue is that they are built around “fun” activities […]

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Freak Spotter

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 17, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Trial Consulting

My spouse/business partner and I recently were conducting employment interviews.  One of the candidates took exception to some aspects of the job application, which is a standard form we always use for all applicants.  After assuring him that we were not trying to steal his identity, we had a good interview, but Melissa, the psychologist, […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 17, 2014

Category: Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Trial Consulting

I am a social psychologist and an expert on judging and predicting human behavior.  In fact, my job is comprised almost exclusively of judging and predicting human behavior and the company I co-own with my spouse exists solely because I possess the education, knowledge, skills, and expertise in determining how people will act.  Time and […]

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Something WILL Go Wrong

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 10, 2014

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

My spouse/business partner and I strive for excellence, if not perfection, in everything we do on behalf of our clients, our employees, and ourselves. This is a noble aspiration, however, people and situations being what they are, invariably and despite our best efforts and intentions, something goes wrong. Our jury research exercises involve travel, often […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 10, 2014

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

The “something” which goes wrong can be painful, a big problem, or, more frequently something which is less obvious. It is critical to keep one’s cool when things go wrong – as in “don’t let them see you sweat.” But, that is sometimes easier said than done. For us as managers, it has been important […]

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A Point of View & Another View – Ouch! How Employee Mistakes Hurt

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 6, 2014

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

I suppose it is partly because I operated my own business for several years as a photographer, with no employees, that I have a full appreciation for the costs of running a business.  If I broke a camera, or ruined a print, it was “my bad”, and I had only myself to blame.  But, when […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 6, 2014

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

As the co-owners of a small business, my spouse and I take everything personally, literally.  I tell new employees, “Look around.  Everything you see here was bought by my partner and me, and paid for, 100%, by money I earned personally.  If you break something, you have broken something that belongs to me, not the […]

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A Point of View & Another View – Debriefings

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 3, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

Although my business partner, our employees, and I take great pride in our professionalism and work standards, something usually goes wrong during our research projects.  We employed a former member of the military who likened our jury research projects to a combat mission and who suggested, soon after he was hired, that we adopt a […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 3, 2014

Category: Getting the Job Done, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

While our mock jury research may not seem prone to problems, when considering the technologies involved, the people involved, many of whom we have never met (including the mock jurors, and clients, and clients’ clients), things happen.  We travel to mock trials with hundreds of pounds of equipment, video cameras, cables, cords, surveys, and computers.  […]

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A Point of View & Another View – Staff Meetings

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 27, 2014

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

Staff meetings.  One need only read a few Dilbert cartoons to realize staff meetings can be non productive and sometimes painful to attend.  But, used with some forethought, they are an important way to keep everyone in sync and to allow the discussion of issues that require attention outside the demands of normal, everyday, work […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 27, 2014

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

I detest staff meetings.  I perceive them as a total waste of my time, time when I could be doing “real work” or just about anything else.  I know how to perform my job and I don’t need to participate in a meeting in order to learn what to do.  These statements aside, I also […]

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A Point of View & Another View – Rock & Roll Analogies

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 25, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

I have been a huge rock and roll fan since the age of 5.  Like many people of my generation, The Beatles changed my life and, once it changed, there was no turning back.  I am still a Beatles fan, as well as a fan of all types of rock and roll music, both classic […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 25, 2014

Category: Careers, Employment, Life Outside of Work, Partnerships, Work-Life

Music, in all forms, can contribute to the quality of life.  In fact, there is new research on the benefits of music for memory and mental health.  But in our world, it is a hobby that expands the mind and provides much enjoyment.  I will confess to learning from music, not just about the music, […]

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A Point of View & Another View – Keeping Everyone Organized

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 20, 2014

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

Though my business partner/spouse and I are organized people, employees have not always proven themselves to be.  We have hired many employees for their first professional job and, although habits they had in college may have worked well for them when they were only concerned with their own individual performance, we have often seen the […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 20, 2014

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

I know what I am doing, at all times, on all cases for which my company and I have been retained.  But, knowing what I am doing does not mean others know what they are doing!  Realizing this, I have taken numerous steps to communicate with employees exactly what they are supposed to do on […]

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A Point of View & Another View – Ziggy Principle

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 17, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees

Ziggy (or Ziggy Stardust, his full name) was my beloved cat who lived until he was 19 years old.  Ziggy and I traveled far and wide, had many amazing experiences, and after his passing, I wrote a book about his adventures.  For all of his greatness, however, Ziggy was, after all, a cat.  And, weighing […]

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Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 17, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees

I know that children sometimes use a tactic similar to the Ziggy principle in trying to play one parent off the other.  The interesting point, though, in a work environment is that trying to pitch something to one boss, then another, is that this can be a dangerous career move.  Bemused, maybe, but the more […]

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A Point of View & Another View – Who Works for Whom (You’re Fired)

A Point of View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On February 13, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

As we developed the topics for these insights, my spouse/business partner and I obviously based them on our experience as small business owners.  While it is the topic of other posts to discuss who created or operates small or large businesses, suffice it to say that if someone has started a business or is running […]

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Another View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On February 13, 2014

Category: Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

My spouse/business partner and I have had the good fortune to have many wonderful employees over the years.  We have had numerous long term employees and have also had the pleasure of working with several vendors for decades.  During the over 20 years we have owned and operated our business, however, we have also had […]

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