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

Check your metrics

August 14, 2008

When I work with my clients on the implementation of a new database, there is a tendency to focus on […]

When you compromise, no one is happy

August 12, 2008

I recently traded emails with an association colleague of mine, an executive director of a small association, asking him how […]

ARC Solutions Demo

August 7, 2008

I had the opportunity to sit through a lengthy demo of the Polaris product from ARC Solutions. Overall I was […]

Take my one question survey

August 5, 2008

If you are an association staffer or executive, I’d appreciate it if you could answer my one question survey. It […]

Swimming with your clothes on (When it's time for a staff change)

July 31, 2008

Let’s face it, sometimes there is a mismatch between a person’s abilities or attitude, and the needs of the job. […]

New Article Posted

July 29, 2008

I’ve posted a new article on my website, entitled “Establishing a Contact Tracking Policy.” Of course, if you’re already on […]

Collect as little data as possible (when selling)

July 24, 2008

Yes, you read that right. When selling anything online, whether it’s membership joins, renewals, event registration, or product sales, you […]

BI Case Study: National Defense Industrial Association

July 22, 2008

This is the last of four case studies on how associations are using business intelligence, about which I presented at […]

Reports are Better than Queries

July 17, 2008

I’m often asked by my clients, when pulling data, if they should use a report or a query. The answer, […]

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