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

Why is Google so easy and my database so hard?

October 28, 2008

Did you ever notice that it’s easier to find information simply using Google than it is to find information in […]

New Article Posted

October 23, 2008

I’ve posted a new article on my website, entitled “Healthcare and Your Database.” Of course, if you’re already on my […]

Seeking input on a research study

October 22, 2008

I’m working on a research project to identify the factors that contribute most to the long-term success of an association […]

Trochlil on Business Intelligence

October 16, 2008

I spoke recently for the Association Forum of Chicagoland on Business Intelligence. Afterwords I sat for a short interview on […]

The Financial Crisis and Your Database

October 14, 2008

As I watch the world financial crisis unfold, one contributing factor that has arisen is that there is a “lack […]

Efficiency vs. Effectiveness

October 9, 2008

When discussing data management issues with clients I often hear “We want to be more efficient.” Of course, we all […]

New Article Posted

October 2, 2008

I’ve posted a new article on my website, entitled “What’s Plaguing Associations 2008.” Of course, if you’re already on my […]

SAF's Technology White Paper

September 30, 2008

I work with Renato Cruz Sogueco, CIO of the Society of American Florists, on the ASAE Technology Section Council. At […]

Dashboards Redux

September 30, 2008

Back in May of last year, I wrote the following post, which in essence said “There’s a lot of talk […]

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