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

My fourth favorite tip…

May 18, 2009

This is the fourth in a series of tips from my book, Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and […]

My third favorite tip…

May 15, 2009

This is the third in a series of tips from my book, Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and […]

My second favorite tip…

May 14, 2009

This is the second in a series of tips from my book, Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and […]

These are a few of my favorite tips…

May 13, 2009

With the recent release of my book, Put Your Data to Work: 52 Tips and Techniques for Effectively Managing Your […]

"That which no one owns, no one will care for"

May 12, 2009

I’ve seen this quote attributed to Aristotle, among others. Not sure who said it, but it rings true when it […]

Welcome to the 20th Century! Airlines discover CRM

May 8, 2009

I read in the Wall St. Journal that US airlines have finally begun adopting some CRM (customer relationship management) tools […]

Protech Users Conference 2009

May 7, 2009

I attended the Protech Users Conference last week in Washington DC. Here are some random thoughts on what I saw: […]

So many "leaders." Who do I follow?

May 5, 2009

I track nearly 40 different software companies that provide association management software of some form or another. And I chuckle […]

AMS Learning and Demo Days is Just Days Away

April 30, 2009

If you’re considering the search for a new association management system in the coming months, make sure you don’t miss […]

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