Blog: Wes’s thoughts, articles, and insights

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My most recent posts

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 […]

“As good or better than me.”

By Wes Trochlil | September 2, 2026

“As good or better than me.” I was recently speaking with a software developer working on AI and we were discussing using natural language querying in an AMS. I told him, “The biggest challenge you face is that the first time the AI is wrong, staff will never use it again.” He agreed but then added: “The […]

Documentation is insurance

By Wes Trochlil | August 26, 2026

Documentation is insurance In a conversation with a client about their data management needs, the client pointed out that if they lost one or two key staff members, so much institutional knowledge would go with them that the association would have real difficulty managing their AMS. I recommended that they should document all of their key processes so […]

It all comes down to fundamentals

By Wes Trochlil | August 12, 2026

It all comes down to fundamentals I’m preparing for a webinar that I’m presenting in a couple of weeks, on using data to improve marketing and communications. This is a presentation (in one form or another) that I’ve made for nearly 20 years, and it includes an excellent case study of one association that dramatically improved their […]

Older Posts

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 […]

Speaking in Chicago

September 25, 2008

I’ll be speaking in Chicago next Thursday, October 2, for the Association Forum of Chicagoland. My presentation will be on […]

Aptify Users Conference

September 23, 2008

I attended the Aptify Users Conference in Chicago last week. I always enjoy the users conferences because I get a […]

Are benchmarks useful or not?

September 18, 2008

At a recent ASAE Technical Section Council meeting, there was a lot of talk about benchmarking. One participant said his […]

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