Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

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My most recent posts

Guardrails can be helpful!

By Wes Trochlil | October 7, 2026

Guardrails can be helpful! When selecting a new AMS, I find my clients are often very tempted by custom software or “platform” systems (e.g., built on Salesforce or MS Dynamics) because these systems are infinitely configurable. After all, if I can make the system do anything I want, that’s a good thing, right? Well, maybe. In […]

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?”

By Wes Trochlil | September 30, 2026

“If you knew this information, what might you do differently?” I had a conversation with a client recently about developing KPIs, reports, and queries from their forthcoming data warehouse. My client said: “We have a ton of requests for KPIs and reports. How do we determine which to focus on first?” My response: “When someone requests a dashboard […]

Showing is not teaching

By Wes Trochlil | September 23, 2026

Showing is not teaching In my experience, when new staff members are taught how to use their AMS (or LMS, CMS, FMS, etc.) they aren’t really taught how to use the system, they are shown how to use it. So what’s the difference? In a nutshell, showing only covers the “how” and “what.” But teaching […]

Data management is improvisation

By Wes Trochlil | September 16, 2026

Data management is improvisation I was listening to a podcast recently featuring TV writer Rob Long. During the podcast he said (I’m paraphrasing) that, in order to be successful, one needs to learn to improvise, because nothing in life ever goes as planned. One of my favorite sayings is, “If you want to make God […]

Who own the AMS company is like the weather…

By Wes Trochlil | September 9, 2026

Who own the AMS company is like the weather… When I work with clients to find a new AMS, one of the most common questions I get is: “Is the software company owned by private equity or is it privately owned?” While I think this is a legitimate question to ask and have answered, it […]

Older Posts

The importance of data integrity reports

July 27, 2009

In my book, Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and Techniques for Effectively Managing Your Database, tip #25 is […]

Don't Miss my Web Conference on Thriving with Data

July 23, 2009

Just a reminder that next Thursday, July 30, at Noon Eastern I’m presenting a web conference with Boston Conferencing on […]

Take my One Question Survey

July 16, 2009

For the third year in a row, I’m conducting a one-question survey about associations and their database challenges. This will […]

Range vs. Average

July 9, 2009

This is a pet peeve of mine, but too often I’ll hear someone say something like: “The average age of […]

Thriving with Data

July 8, 2009

I’m presenting a webinar with Boston Conferencing on Thursday, July 30 at Noon Eastern. The title is :Thriving with Data: […]

Marketing is…

June 30, 2009

“Marketing is anything that helps or hinders sales or use of products and services.” These words are from Terri Langhans, […]

"Every abundance creates a new scarcity"

June 25, 2009

This concept is attributed to Chris Anderson, author of The Long Tail. I think there is no disputing this concept. […]

New White Paper Released: How Three Primary Data Systems are Related

June 23, 2009

I’ve posted a new white paper on my website, entitled “The Three Primary Data Management Systems WIthin Associations and How […]

Keeping your long-term members happy

June 18, 2009

Do you know who your “long-term” members are? By long-term, I mean any company or individual who has been a […]

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